The biggest and most powerful explosions in the Universe are gamma ray bursts. With the launch of the spacecraft Swift, scientists now realise these exotic phenomena are far more varied than first suspected. Sir Patrick Moore finds out about the biggest bangs since the 'Big' one, while Chris Lintott tracks down the supernova hunters.

Britain is going back to Mars onboard the European ExoMars mission. UK scientists have a key role designing and building many of the instruments, including the innovative Life Marker Chip. In this special programme, Patrick Moore finds out how we hope to find Martian life whilst Chris Lintott goes in search of the rover that will be climbing mountains on Mars.