Christopher Nolan's new film Interstellar is science fiction, but it raises a lot of real science questions for space geeks to sink their teeth into.
Interstellar delves into dust storms, black holes and alien life on other planets.
Professor Steve Pointing of AUT's Applied Ecology Institute says the film's portrayal of an Earth no longer able to sustain humanity is worruingly prescient.
"Major studies released this year that show both the severity and the frequency of these massive dust storms is increasing on Earth right now, as we speak," he said on Firstline this morning.
"There are over a billion people that live in desert-like areas and have to cultivate food and crops there. In these areas you do have this huge risk of dust storms, but rather worryingly this is not just a Third World issue – it's also an issue in the southwest United States, it's an issue in Australia and central Asia."
Prof Pointing says he experienced dust storms while working for NASA in China, and the ones in the movie are "by no means fantasy".
But how easy will it be to find a new planet?
Watch the video for the full interview with Steve Pointing.
source: newshub archive
