The Universe Season 2 Episode Guide
1. Alien Planets
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
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
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
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. Countless wonders exist between where earth is situated and the massive black hole at the
galactic center of our solar system. Within the Milky Way can be found the debris of old, dying stars fueling the
birth of new stars and at the galactic center hypervelocity stars get catapulted clear beyond the Milky Way's outer
rim at unimaginable speeds. Come along for a guided tour of 100,000 light-year-wide family of stars and stellar
phenomena we call The Milky Way.
5. Alien Moons
Travel from the inner solar system to the Kuiper Belt and explore the moons surrounding the planets of the solar
system. Many of these moons that were once unknown are now on the cutting edge of astronomical study. Some
burst with volcanic fury another spews icy geysers and others offer the possibility of alien life. Are these strange
worlds simply hostile environments unfit for humans or do other possibilities exist? Cutting-edge computer
graphics are used to bring the universe down to earth and to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in alien
atmospheres.
6. Dark Matter
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
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. How did life evolve on Earth? What will life look like
on other planets? These and other pertinent questions will be answered by a diverse group of scientists. Viewers
will visit the Pilbara region of West Australia where the oldest evidence of life on Earth has been discovered.
Travel to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn to test a theory that life could exist in the clouds of Venus. Finally,
watch as experiments are done to see if life exists on exoplanets, earth-like planets beyond our solar system.
8. Space Travel
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
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
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
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
It's been said that our universe is a cosmic shooting gallery. Gravity is moving everything around and things are
bound to collide. Astronomers are attempting to understand how these collisions occur in the dark recesses of
space. Learn about collisional families, which are clusters of comets and asteroids; planetary collisions; mass
extinction impacts involving asteroids and comets; stars collisions; and galaxy cluster collisions. Cutting-edge
computer graphics are used to bring this series down to earth as the heavens yield their greatest secrets.
13. Colonizing Space
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
Take a tour through the "Art Gallery of the Galaxy" and view what are considered the "crown jewels" of the
heavens. Nebulas are mysterious clouds of gas that aren't classified as stars, planets, moons or asteroids.
Astronomers use the most sophisticated techniques to view them since they are practically invisible to the naked
eye. Nothing less than stunning, nebulas glow, reflect or obscure the galaxy's light with amazing swirls of color.
Nebulas mark the regions where the nothingness of space first coalesces, where stars are born and where stars
die. Cutting-edge computer graphics are used to bring the universe down to earth.
15. Wildest Weather in the Cosmos
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
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. Regions of radio-
emitting gas called "radio lobes" could be even bigger. Then there are super galaxy clusters which are hundreds
of galaxies merged together due to cosmic collisions. Discover which is the largest planet, star, star cluster,
constellation, black hole, volcano, galaxy, explosions, moon, storm, impact crater and "void" in space.
17. Gravity
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
The universe as we know it is condemned to death. Space, matter and even time will one day cease to exist and
there is nothing we can do about it.
Harsh realities are revealed about the future of our universe; it may collapse and burn or it might be gripped by a
galactic ice age. Either of these scenarios might be a long way off. However, our Universe could suddenly be
destroyed by a random quantum fluctuation, a bubble of destruction that can obliterate the entire cosmos in the
blink of an eye. No matter how it ends, life in our Universe is doomed.