Solar system stories unveiled in new series The Planets

The BBC is set to launch a spectacular new five-part documentary series titled The Planets, airing on BBC2, which takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through the history of our Solar System. Hosted by renowned physicist Professor Brian Cox, this landmark production blends cutting-edge CGI with data from the latest space explorations to reveal the dramatic and awe-inspiring stories of the eight planets that form our cosmic neighborhood. As a fascinating glimpse into billions of years of solar system history, the series offers a comprehensive look at the forces that have shaped these planets and the ongoing discoveries being made about their unique characteristics.

Untold solar system stories unveiled in new series 'The Planets' featuring Professor Brian Cox

The Planets promises to deliver a compelling narrative of how each planet in our solar system has followed its own remarkable trajectory over the past four and a half billion years. The series not only focuses on the planets themselves but also explores the numerous smaller celestial bodies, such as asteroids and the Kuiper Belt objects, that inhabit our solar system. This comprehensive approach sets it apart from previous documentaries, expanding the viewer's understanding of both the familiar planets and the lesser-known phenomena within our cosmic family.

Professor Brian Cox

Photo credit: BBC Studios/Brian Cox/Katy Savage

Professor Cox's journey takes him to locations around the world, drawing on the natural landscapes of Earth to explain the forces at work in space. In the first episode, "Volcano Worlds," he visits Iceland to explore the planet Venus, which is home to more than 85,000 volcanoes. Iceland’s rugged terrain serves as a real-world analogy to explain the volcanic features of Venus, helping viewers visualize the intense geologic activity that shapes this neighboring planet. The series’ attention to detail is exemplified by the challenges the crew faced during production, such as waiting days for weather conditions to clear in order to film on location in Iceland.

In later episodes, Cox continues to delve into fascinating phenomena across the solar system. Whether he's explaining the icy glaciers on Pluto, the lightning storms of Uranus, or the asteroid that struck a driveway in Winchcombe, England, during lockdown in 2021, the series sheds light on the lesser-known yet captivating stories from our planetary system. The production team visited diverse locations, including Spain, Utah, and Alaska, each offering unique insights into the physics and geology of the planets. For example, the episode shot in Alaska reveals the complexities of ice in space, demonstrating that on Pluto, the glaciers aren’t made of water ice, but nitrogen ice, which behaves in ways scientists are still trying to fully understand.

One of the defining features of The Planets is its accessibility to viewers of all ages. Professor Cox has always been passionate about making science understandable, and the series does a commendable job of simplifying complex scientific concepts without losing depth. Visual experiments and clear language are used to make the intricate workings of the solar system digestible, even for younger audiences. Cox notes that many teachers use clips from his previous series in classrooms, and this new series is likely to become a valuable educational tool as well.

As humanity stands in a new golden age of space exploration, with missions actively orbiting or landing on five of the eight planets in the solar system, The Planets offers timely insights into how our understanding of these celestial bodies is evolving. With each new piece of data, our picture of the solar system becomes richer and more detailed. This documentary captures that sense of discovery, portraying our solar system as a dynamic environment where planets, moons, and smaller objects all interact in ways that have profound implications for understanding the Earth itself.

The series, co-produced by the Open University’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, highlights the contributions of British academics in bringing this extraordinary project to life. The scientific expertise behind The Planets enhances its educational value, making it more than just a visually stunning series—it is a deep exploration of the forces that govern the universe.

The Planets will begin airing on Monday, October 7, 2024, on BBC2 at 9 p.m., with all episodes available for catch-up on BBC iPlayer. For viewers intrigued by the wonders of the solar system, this series offers a rare chance to dive into the mysteries of the planets and beyond. It serves not just as entertainment but as an invitation to appreciate the complexity and beauty of the universe that surrounds us.