The Planets
The Planets is a BBC documentary series tracing mankind's exploration of our solar system. The series consists of eight episodes, each of which deals with a different topic related to the exploration of our solar system: the creation of the planets, surface features of the planets, the secrets surrounding the massive planets, the moon, the sun, atmosphere, the possibilities of life elsewhere in our solar system, and the fate of the solar system. Using film footage from space missions of the United States and Russia, computer generated graphics, and interviews with scientists and astronauts, the series tells a story of mankind's exploration of our solar system and reveals the wonders of the planets.
| Episode 1 - Different Worlds |
Episode 1 - Different Worlds
This episode gives an introduction to the creation, composition and alien landscapes of the planets in our solar system, as well as tells a brief story of early space probes.
Episode 2 - Terra Firma
This episode looks at the surface features of the planets of Mars, Venus, the moons of Jupiter and Neptune.
Episode 3 - Giants
This episode looks at Voyager's expedition to the vast gas planets of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Episode 4 - Moon
This episode investigates our growing understanding of the origins of the moon.
Episode 5 - Star
This episode looks at the quest to understand the sun, from the simple etchings of the astronomer Galileo to the discoveries of the latest solar probes.
Episode 6 - Atmosphere
This episode describes the investigation of weather systems found throughout the solar system.
Episode 7 - Life
This episode examines how our understanding of the evolution of life on earth has changed, and explores the evidence for life on other planets.
Episode 8 - Destiny
This episode looks at the fate of the solar system and explores the new planetary systems that are being found around nearby stars.
| Related Links |
| Space exploration - wikipedia Space exploration is the discovery and exploration of outer space by means of space technology. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft. |
| Secrets of the Solar System This is a documentary series narrated by Jim Al-Khalili, which is the ultimate guide to humankind's exploration of our solar system, told by the passionate explorers who sent spacecraft to every major celestial body yet visited. |
| A Traveller's Guide to the Planets This is a National Geographic documentary series hosted by Bray Poor, exploring the pleasures and pitfalls of travel to the planets of our Solar System. |
| Space Race (BBC docudrama) Space Race is a BBC docudrama series chronicling the major events and characters in the American/Soviet space race up to the first landing of a man on the moon. |
| Discovering the Cosmos This is a Smithsonian Channel documentary series that urges us to prepare a new generation of space exploration. |
| When We Left Earth This is a Discovery Channel documentary series narrated by actor Gary Sinise, looking at the NASA missions about human spaceflight. |
| Mars Rising This is a Discovery Channel documentary series exploring the challenges of a manned mission to Mars being faced by international space agencies and in laboratories. |