The Universe

There are billions of stars in the Universe, but one alone dominates our celestial neighborhood, the Sun. It's so large that within its boundaries you could fit one million Earths, and so powerful that each second it churns out as much energy as one billion one-megaton hydrogen bombs. The Sun is the massive engine that drives our solar system, providing the energy that makes life on Earth possible, but it also rages with violent storms and explosions that can threaten our planet. With some experts predicting that we are headed for the most violent period of solar activity in modern history, it's never been more important to understand the Secrets of the Sun.

It's home to the largest volcano in the Solar System...and a colossal, boulder-strewn valley that would make the Grand Canyon look like a streambed. But despite such otherworldly features, it's the planet most like Earth, and it's the most likely candidate for eventual human habitation. In the past, its mysterious movement in the sky and rumors of a network of canals on its surface made it a source of wild speculation. Did alien life flourish there? Perhaps an advanced civilization that might one day attempt to conquer Earth? Today, NASA orbiters and rovers mapping the planet's surface have put these notions to rest. While they've photographed land features that look chillingly like an enormous human face, so far, they have not discovered intelligent life. Still, the search for biology continues. And with new evidence of vast amounts of frozen water lurking just a few feet below the rusty soil, the possibility of finding at least primitive life on the fourth rock from the Sun seems exceedingly probable.

The Earth has become a dangerous place to live in the Universe. It's only a matter of time before a cosmic force will annihilate the planet. At this very moment, NASA's top brass and other scientists are arming themselves with the latest technology to pre-empt an apocalyptic attack. And the enemy won't be terrorists launching nuclear weapons, but something possibly more deadly. This UNIVERSE episode - End of the Earth will investigate the bizarre, unexplained and terrifying End of Earth scenarios. Scientists from around the world race against the clock to develop technology to detect and defend our planet from apocalyptic demons. The prime suspects: asteroids, comets, gamma ray bursts, the sun and the Big Rip - a mysterious phenomenon called "dark energy" may eventually rip apart everything in the Universe.

Half a billion miles from earth exists a mini solar system of over 60 moons rotating around a powerful planet of gas. It's flowing colors and spots hold strange beauty, but contain violent storms and jet streams. Could this big, bright ball of turbulent weather have been the star of Bethlehem? Could one of its moons harbor life beneath its icy crust? Jupiter, the giant planet, is the king of many questions concerning our solar system and could possibly hold the answers.

It's so close...yet so far away. 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. And, today, NASA is planning a permanent outpost there. But how did it get there in the first place? How did the Moon come to be? The answer is more astounding and spectacular than most residents of earth have ever imagined.

Take a high performance ride through the formation of the third planet from the Sun, Earth. A survivor of one of the most violent "neighborhoods" in the universe, learn how earth was created and discover what creatures hold clues to how life began. What evil forces threaten the demise of Earth? Complex and controversial, this is the scientific detective story of all time. Cutting-edge graphics are used along with the stories of scientists and explorers who dare to venture into the uncharted territory of the cosmos.