2011

S1.E2 ∙ The Mystery of the Universe's Bubbles

Tue, May 03, 2011

Scientists using the Hubble Telescope study vivid images from 12 billion and more light years away and observe that many galaxies cluster together like -- soap bubbles! Analyzing factors like dark matter and gravitational lensing, how can astronomers confirm this amazing bubble structure?

8.1 /10

S1.E3 ∙ Extraterrestrial Life - From Fiction to Fact?

Mon, Apr 11, 2011

Extraterrestrial life = Science Fiction. Not so fast! -- the Cassini probe has provided photos of Enceladus, where scientists have found geysers of water vapor. And then there is Gliese 581g, a planet with Earth-like conditions....what would life forms look like in these watery environments?

8.9 /10

S1.E4 ∙ Dark Matter - Racing to Unlock Its Mysteries

Mon, Apr 18, 2011

The story of how we discovered Dark Matter and what we do and don't know about this mysterious substance. Did Vera Rubin discover the glue holding galaxies together? What composes dark matter? What are Dark Stars and what is supersymmetry, the potential answer to the questions around Dark Matter?

7.7 /10

S1.E8 ∙ Our Extraordinary Sun - Facing a Rare Solar Phenomenon

Mon, Jun 06, 2011

The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, luminous in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere, are celestial bodies shrouded in mystery, but recent observations have revealed some startling facts about them. They are survivors of galaxies formed in the early stages of the Universe.

0 /10

S1.E10 ∙ Betelgeuse - Death of a Super Star

Mon, Jun 27, 2011

Betelgeuse, 640 light-years away in the Orion constellation, is reaching the end of its life. When it goes supernova, how will it affect us?

8.2 /10

S1.E11 ∙ Seers of the Heavens - The Maya

Sat, Jun 04, 2011

Telescopes on six solar observation satellites are currently monitoring the sun. The satellites include Japan's Hinode and the SDO developed by the United States. Solar activity (flares, sunspots) is at its lowest since modern observation began - what implications does this have for our Earth?

0 /10

S1.E12 ∙ Space Shuttle - Launching 30 Years of Dreams

Mon, Jul 11, 2011

The Space Shuttle fleet was retired in 2011 after leading international missions for three decades. This is the dramatic story of the tragedies and triumphs of the Space Shuttle fleet, and how it broadened humankind's exploration of space.

7.6 /10

S1.E13 ∙ Impact! Looking Out for Asteroids

Mon, Jul 18, 2011

An asteroid colliding with the Earth is not a just Hollywood fantasy. NASA and the Space Guard Foundation develop deflection plans to save the Earth from a comet, meteor or asteroid with Earth in its trajectory. Take a look at how the world is working together to keep our skies safe.

8 /10

S1.E20 ∙ Knowing Without Seeing

Mon, Nov 14, 2011

Einstein, Oppenheimer, and other physicists and astronomers wrestled with the concept of Black Holes. With relentlessly powerful gravitational pull, black holes suck in anything that comes near them, but do they? As the study of black holes progresses, science finds more mysteries than solutions.

8 /10