Channel 4 and Big Wave Productions challenged some of the brightest and best scientific minds to imagine life on alien worlds. They didn’t disappoint. From flying whales to worlds locked into eternal night, you’ll soon discover why science fact can be more thrilling – and even more bizarre – than science fiction.

See: what happen when you order the “Stalkers” to swarm and attack
Watch: the enormous “Skywhales” soar above the planet
Find out: what happens when you create a flare on Aurelia’s star