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Deep Dive: Alien Planet (2007)

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Alien Planet
Alien Planet is a 2005 docufiction TV special that presents the imagined life on the fictional planet Darwin IV, based on Wayne Barlowe's 1990 book Expedition. The film takes a nature documentary format, featuring a team of scientists and science fiction figures, including Michio Kaku and Stephen Hawking, discussing the discoveries as if Darwin IV had been found. The narrative follows an unmanned spacecraft, Von Braun, traveling at 20% the speed of light to reach Darwin IV, which is 6.5 light-years away. Upon arrival, the spacecraft deploys probes, including Balboa, which fails during entry, and two successful probes, Leonardo da Vinci (Leo) and Isaac Newton (Ike). These probes are equipped with artificial intelligence and different personalities, allowing them to study the planet's unique lifeforms. The film depicts the probes' encounters with various creatures, including a sapient species, and emphasizes the challenges of understanding alien life forms.

Why Watch

  • •See Stephen Hawking discuss extraterrestrial life.
  • •Meet the unique lifeforms of Darwin IV.
  • •Find out why the Balboa probe failed.

Did You Know

•The spacecraft Von Braun travels at 37,000 miles per second.
•Darwin IV is located 6.5 light-years away from Earth.
•The first probe, Balboa, explodes due to a wing malfunction.
•Each Horus probe is 8 feet high and 40 feet long.

Perfect For

Science fiction fansAstrobiology enthusiastsNature documentary lovers