The Universe

2007 • HISTORY
4.7
184 reviews
TV-PG
Rating
Eligible
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Season 2 episodes (18)

1 Alien Planets
11/27/07
Have planet hunters finally found proof of other Earthlike worlds? Astronomers have now discovered over two hundred alien worlds, beyond our solar system, that were unknown just a decade ago. Discover planets that rage with fiery hurricanes and bizarre planets covered by water so dense that it forms a kind of hot ice. Among these weird worlds, Earth actually seems like the oddball with the right conditions for life.
2 Cosmic Holes
12/4/07
Today, we know black holes exist, and now scientists are trying to confirm that other holes lurk in hyperspace. Our infinite cosmos could contain a variety of "holes" such as black, white, "mini" and wormholes. White holes are the reverse of black holes; instead of matter being sucked into it, matter is ejected out. Wormholes are gateways in the fabric of space and time. They are included in Einstein's field equations as possibilities for their existence. Neither white holes nor wormholes have ever been found. Learn about new discoveries including, colliding binary black holes, intermediate black holes and manufacturing mini black holes.
3 Mysteries Of The Moon
12/11/07
For thousands of years, mankind has found comfort in its presence. It's been a lantern for nighttime travelers, a timekeeper for farmers, and a location finder for sailors at sea. For some cultures, it's even been a god. It's the only cosmic body ever visited by human beings. From afar, the Moon's luminance has captivated us since the beginning of time. And a closer look at the beacon in the dark sky reveals an ever-present source of myth, intrigue, controversy and unsolved mysteries. The field of science may cast an empirical light on some things about the Universe, but lunar experts are the first to admit they don't have all the answers when it comes to our Moon. This episode explores the theories behind Lunar Transient Phenomena that have left scientists stumped for centuries; takes to the Canadian waters to see how the Moon effects our planet through tides; and dusts off some age-old myths and weighs arguments that without our Moon, humanity may not even exist
4 The Milky Way
12/18/07
We used to think that Earth was at the center of the universe, but now we know we're not even at the center of our own galaxy.
5 Alien Moons
1/8/08
We used to think that Earth was at the center of the universe, but now we know we're not even at the center of our own galaxy.
6 Dark Matter
1/15/08
Scientists have no idea what it is, but Dark Matter and Dark Energy make up 96% of the Universe. Dark Matter is everywhere. It passes through everything we know on earth at billions of particles every second, yet no one has ever gotten a direct detection of this mysterious dark substance. An even more bewildering force is Dark Energy, which is rapidly pushing apart our Universe. Discovered only ten years ago, scientists are struggling to comprehend its unusual characteristics and answer the ultimate question; what is the fate of our Universe? Using cutting-edge computer graphics watch as the universe is brought down to earth.
7 Astrobiology
1/29/08
Does life exist on other planets? Astrobiology is a visionary new science that searches for life in space by combining the disciplines of astronomy, biology and geology.
8 Space Travel
2/5/08
When man finally broke free of the Earth's gravitational pull the dream of traveling to other planets became a reality. Today scientists are proposing a bizarre array of technologies in the hope of traveling faster through space: from space craft sporting sails that catch laser beams, to propulsion engines powered by a bizarre entity known as anti-matter. Finally explore the science behind the seemingly fanciful notion of warp-drive and a theoretical particle that can travel faster than light.
9 Supernovas
2/12/08
A stellar explosion, the supernova is the sensational death of a star. It can shine as bright as 100 billion Suns and radiate as much energy as the Sun would emit over 10 billion years. Jets of high-energy light and matter are propelled into space and can cause massive Gamma Ray Bursts and emit intense X-ray radiation for thousands of years. Astronomers believe that this process creates the very building blocks of planets, people and plants. Meet the world's leading Supernova hunters, and take a look at recorded supernovas throughout history.
10 Constellations
2/19/08
A constellation is a group of stars that are connected together to form a figure or picture. These star pictures help organize the night sky and provide a useful tool for astronomers even today. Explore some of the 88 official constellations and learn about some of the highlights of each--like the star that's due to go supernova in the constellation Orion. Discover the 13th zodiac sign that no one talks about, and find out why Polaris, the North Star, will one day have to surrender its title.
11 Unexplained Mysteries
2/26/08
Delve into the myths, misconceptions, truths and amazing mysteries of our unique universe. Could life exist on Mars? Is time travel possible and does Einstein's theory of relativity support it? Is there a companion dark star to our sun and could it pose a threat to earth? Learn about the spark that lit the big bang. Take a journey from science fiction that predicted all these things, to the scientific reality of what they mean to us in the ever-changing universe.
12 Cosmic Collisions
3/4/08
It's been said that our universe is a cosmic shooting gallery. Gravity is moving everything around and things are bound to collide.
13 Colonizing Space
3/11/08
Space colonization is no longer the fodder of science fiction, it is becoming a reality. Examine the efforts underway to establish a human colony on Mars, including how they plan to grow food, recycle wastewater and introduce greenhouse gases to revive the red planet and make it more habitable for humans. Cutting-edge computer graphics are used to bring the universe down to earth to show what life would be like on Mars, and to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in alien atmospheres.
14 Nebulas
4/1/08
They are the crown jewels of the galaxy. Neither stars, planets, moons or asteroids, they are the mysterious clouds of gas we call NEBULAS.
15 Wildest Weather in the Cosmos
4/8/08
Imagine a tornado so powerful, it can form a planet, or winds sweeping across a planet but blowing at 6,000 miles per hour! How about rain....made of iron? Sounds like science fiction, but this type of weather is occurring daily in our solar system. Scientists are just beginning to unlock the secrets of these planets and their atmospheres. Can this research help scientists solve long unanswered questions that we have about Earth? As our own planet churns with the effects of global warming, it's natural to look into the heavens and wonder about the rest of the real estate.
16 Biggest Things in Space
4/15/08
We can't compare anything on earth to the biggest things known in space. The Lymann Alpha blob is a bubble like structure containing countless galaxies--perhaps the biggest object in the entire universe.
17 Gravity
4/22/08
Gravity is the most powerful and exacting force in the universe. It is pervasive and penetrating. Gravity binds us together, its reach hangs stars in the sky and its grip crushes light. Gravity holds planets together, and leashes them to their suns. Without gravity, stars, comets, moons, nebulae, and even the Earth itself would not exist. Explore how science and humanity discovered, overcame and utilized gravity. Learn what it takes to propel objects into the heavens, to ride a wave or to ski down a slope. Take a front row seat as an astronaut subjects himself to the weightless wonders of the specially modified aircraft used to train astronauts known as the "Vomit Comet."
18 Cosmic Apocalypse
4/29/08
The Universe as we know it is condemned to death. Space, matter and even time will one day cease to exist and there's nothing we can do about it.

About this show

How were ancient builders, including those at Stonehenge, able to create structures around the world with one consistent unit of measurement - the "megalithic yard"- despite being oceans apart? This premium H2 miniseries event uses experts and CGI from The Universe to reveal the answer and demonstrate how our past is connected to the history of the universe.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
184 reviews
Hank53
August 3, 2020
Love how they give one the standard list of options to choose from in answer to anything archaeological; ESPECIALLY the pyramids of Giza Plateau. Oh yeah don't look too closely at the machine tool marks remnant on precisely cut granite and limestone . Nor the absolutely PERFECT symmetry of anything intending to be so, especially sculptures . Egyptians built the pyramids ? YEAH; ..........that's what happened ! It sucks that I can't watch these anymore. I just can't go back and not know what I have been shown. Have you ever wished you didn't know something , because you can no longer be a part of. It's like shortly after learning Santa Claus isn't real. Nostalgia . Just for a second. They make these so interesting and they sound so groundbreaking in discovery and leave one in awe of mainstream Archaeology. It's just a second; because once you are turned on to what isn't being really looked at ; and your eyes open to what becomes clear and make sense ; a whole new world and history opens up your mind from astounding revelations . One's very life , and reaction to their life is set on a different paradigm of perceiving that which you distinguish for yourself vs. what has been impressed upon you by teachers , text books, Professors , television. Finding out something you believe is incorrect , can actually be liberating sometimes. It's because you then have room to gain new information by intention to a clean slate ; vs. DATA that has been almost 'chanted' to your mind without you in the least intending to do so. Live on purpose . Trust many; love few, row your own canoe . The old paradigm of seeing the world through the intention of the institutions of education , 'experts' museums is starting to show it's cracks; even to the skeptics .
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Danan Jenner
May 9, 2022
Very interesting to learn about. I've been a space fan for just about my whole life, and I know a TON of information about astronomy, and I'm still learning more almost every day!
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Brenda Martinez
May 17, 2015
A very nice show, with so much put into it. good job!
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