Ep 1. Sun

How the Universe Works is back with an all-new season, and the first episode is an in-depth exploration of our closest star, the Sun. We all know that the Sun is a massive, fiery ball of gas that lights up our world every day, but there's so much more to learn about this celestial body.

The episode begins by explaining how the Sun formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of gas and dust. We learn that the Sun's tremendous gravity holds its mass together, while its intense nuclear reactions create the energy that radiates out in all directions and warms the planets in our solar system.

We then dive deep into the science of the Sun's atmosphere, which is divided into several layers. The outermost layer, called the corona, is a wispy halo of hot gas that extends millions of kilometers into space. Scientists are still trying to understand the corona, which is much hotter than the Sun's surface, and they use advanced imaging techniques to study its characteristics.

The Sun also has a magnetic field that's responsible for some of the most spectacular phenomena we see on Earth, such as the auroras. The episode explores how the magnetic field is created and how it changes over time, affecting the Sun's activity in cycles that last for about eleven years.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Sun is its impact on our planet. The Sun emits a constant stream of charged particles called the solar wind, which can interact with our atmosphere and cause all sorts of effects, from beautiful auroras to disruptive space weather that can harm satellites and power grids. We hear from experts who explain how they study these phenomena and work to protect our technology and infrastructure from the effects of space weather.

The episode also delves into the fascinating world of solar physics, where scientists use everything from ground-based telescopes to spacecraft to study the Sun up close. We learn about recent missions that have sent probes like Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter into the Sun's vicinity, collecting data and images that help us better understand this complex star.

Throughout the episode, we see stunning footage of the Sun's activity, from massive eruptions that hurl hot gas into space to intricate patterns of magnetic fields swirling across the surface. We hear from experts who are dedicated to studying the Sun and unlocking its secrets, from astrophysicists to engineers who design the instruments that enable us to see the Sun in detail.

Overall, the third season premiere of How the Universe Works is a captivating look at the Sun, one of the most important objects in our solar system. From its birth to its current state and beyond, this episode provides an informative and visually stunning journey through the science of our star.