Ep 3. Dark History Of The Solar System

In season 6 episode 3 of How the Universe Works, titled "Dark History Of The Solar System," viewers are taken on a journey through the early days of our solar system and the catastrophic events that shaped it. Through archival footage, computer simulations, and expert interviews, this episode examines the violent collisions and gravitational disturbances that took place billions of years ago, leading to the formation of the planets we know today.

The episode begins with a look at the asteroid belt, a collection of rocky debris situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Scientists believe that this asteroid belt was once home to a planetesimal, a large, rocky body that never fully formed into a planet. In the early days of the solar system, the planetesimal was likely destroyed by a collision with another object, sending debris hurtling out in all directions. Today, the asteroid belt is one of the main sources of meteorite impacts on Earth.

From there, the episode explores the formation of the gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These massive planets are believed to have formed in the outer reaches of the solar system, where the cold temperatures allowed for the accumulation of huge amounts of gas and dust. However, the process was far from peaceful, as the early gas giants collided with each other and with other objects in the solar system. The collisions led to the formation of some of the largest moons in the solar system, including Jupiter's moons Io and Europa and Saturn's moon Titan.

The episode also dives into the darker side of the solar system, examining the possibility of a ninth planet. For years, astronomers have suspected the existence of a large, mysterious object beyond the orbit of Neptune, which they have dubbed Planet Nine. If Planet Nine exists, it could be responsible for the strange orbits of some objects in the outer reaches of the solar system. However, actually finding the planet has proven to be a daunting task, as it is too far away and too small to be seen with current telescopes.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning visuals and animations of the solar system, highlighting the dramatic events that have taken place over billions of years. Additionally, expert interviews with astronomers and planetary scientists provide valuable insight into the history of our solar system and the mysteries that still remain. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a newfound appreciation for the violent and chaotic events that led to the formation of the solar system we know today.