‘Life From Above’ offers fresh perspective of our planet

Behold Earth as it’s never been seen before. In “Life From Above,” cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a brand new perspective, revealing incredible movements, colors, patterns — and just how fast it’s changing.

On Wednesdays at 9 p.m. starting Oct. 23, see new footage of the greatest, most beautiful and powerful movements on our planet. Cameras in space capture an elephant family’s struggle through drought, and thousands of Shaolin Kung-Fu students performing in perfect synchronicity.

A co-production between the BBC and PBS, “Life From Above” is an ambitious new documentary that provides fascinating and fresh insights into our planet by expanding the range of perspectives from which to look. In addition to stunning satellite photography from space, drones were employed to generate footage, while helicopters and cameras on the ground provide more conventional vantage points. Using innovative techniques to illustrate the complex interconnectivity of our planet, “Life From Above” is going for the big picture.

What is revealed from above is a cadence — the rhythm by which the earth moves, colors and visual patterns — and the planet’s constant evolution. These qualities, which reach across topographical divides as well as human-made borders, cultures and politics, are only apparent when the planet is considered as a whole.

The series is not only a meditation on aerial textures, though. Footage shot from the ground will showcase more individual, microcosmic narratives. The goal — and the challenge — is to weave in and out of these details and do justice to Earth’s amazing intricacies. This is our home, as we’ve never seen it before.

Oct. 23: “Moving Planet”

Cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a brand new perspective. Satellites follow an elephant family struggling through drought, reveal previously unknown emperor penguin colonies, and discover ice rings that could put seal pups in danger. Watch online.

Oct. 30: “Colorful Planet”

View Earth’s kaleidoscope of colors as seen from space. Swirls of turquoise phytoplankton trigger an oceanic feeding frenzy, China turns yellow as millions of flowers bloom, and at night the waters near Argentina are spotted with green lights. Watch online.

Nov. 6: “Patterned Planet”

Discover the weird and wonderful shapes that cover Earth’s surface as seen from space. The Australian outback is covered in pale spots thanks to digging wombats, and hundreds of elephants tear into the endless green of the Congo forest canopy. Watch online.

Nov. 13: “Changing Planet”

Take a fresh look at our fragile planet and see just how much it’s changing. Cameras in space show growing cities, disappearing forests and melting glaciers, but one country regenerated a landscape and helped save a chimpanzee family. Watch online.

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