Secrets of the Solar System
Secrets of the Solar System 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. From the raging inferno of Sun to the icy beauty of Pluto, discover the secrets that the planets have kept for billions of years, illustrated with stunning images from space. But the real beauty of the series lies in the personal tales of the people who designed and operated the missions. This is the Solar System as never seen before.
| Episode 1 - A Grand Tour |
Episode 1 - A Grand Tour
An epic new series opens with a grand tour of the Solar System, told by the world's top space scientists. From the raging inferno of Sun to the icy beauty of Pluto, discover the secrets that the planets have kept for billions of years, illustrated with stunning images from space.
Episode 2 - Sun and Mercury
Join a team of scientists as they launch a probe to actually touch the Sun. Then they make a surprising discovery on the tiny planet Mercury. An exhilarating real-life space adventure, revealing that our nearest star could pose a serious threat to our modern way of life.
Episode 3 - Venus
We have been mesmerized by Venus since ancient times. Was this a paradise world teeming with life? This film tells the remarkable story of how spacecraft revealed the true nature of Earth's enigmatic twin, that it's a lifeless hell - and that the Earth could follow suit.
Episode 4 - Mars
The dramatic, moving and powerful story of humanity's conquest of Mars, told by the people who risked entire careers to explore the red planet. Did we find evidence for life back in the 70's? Some believe we did.
Episode 5 - Jupiter
Jupiter is a massive and dangerous planet, surrounded by a wreath of deadly radiation. This is the story of how humans built machines that not only survived the perils of the huge gas giant but revealed its innermost secrets.
Episode 6 - Saturn
Saturn, with its majestic rings, is the jewel in the crown of the solar system. This film is an emotional journey of exploration told by the world's top experts. A magical, space-based mystery tour.
Episode 7 - Asteroids and Comets
Our solar system is home to many wanderers, the asteroids and comets. This is a journey into deep space to visit objects that have endured unimaginable periods of time, waiting to reveal the origins of the solar system and therefore, us.
Episode 8 - Pluto
The story of how an underground group of scientists took on the establishment to send a spacecraft to the most distant world ever seen up-close. It would be an astounding, yet life-affirming journey for all.
| Related Links |
| The Planets The Planets is a BBC documentary series tracing mankind's exploration of our solar system. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |