Michael Rampino

Join narrator Patrick Stewart on a sweeping journey through Earth's fascinating history -- from the formation of ancient, geological artifacts to the modern exploration of the moon. The film is a storehouse of facts you probably didn't know. For instance, more than 18,000 meteorites strike Earth each year; it's 3,000 degrees four miles below Earth's surface; and Mount Everest's peak was once part of the ocean floor.

How secure is our future? This eye-opening documentary -- which uses computer-generated imagery to illustrate an asteroid collision, black holes and worldwide plagues, among other threats -- explores seven scenarios that could spell the end of the world. Interviews with noted scientists examine the extent of preparations for these cataclysmic events and what's being done to save future generations from extinction.