Ep 11. Mystery of Alien Worlds

How the Universe Works is back for its ninth season with an all-new episode called Mystery of Alien Worlds. This episode delves deep into the latest findings on exoplanets and how they could potentially support life. With the most advanced space telescopes observing the cosmos, scientists have discovered thousands of exoplanets, and it can be said that we are living in the era of exoplanet discovery.

The episode looks at the latest techniques used to detect exoplanets, including the transit method, radial velocity, and direct imaging. These techniques have allowed scientists to identify exoplanets of all sizes, from rocky worlds like Earth, to super-Jupiters, planets so massive that they could hold over a thousand Earths.

The show uncovers the complexities of exoplanet atmospheres and how they are being studied to understand if they are habitable. The crew looks at the most common gases present in exoplanet atmospheres, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. These gases can hold clues to the potential habitability of an exoplanet, as they could indicate the presence of liquid water, considered to be a crucial ingredient for life as we know it.

To investigate these questions further, the show brings in renowned experts in the field of exoplanets, including Dr. Sara Seager, a professor of planetary science and physics at MIT, and one of the most prominent exoplanet scientists in the world. The episode also features Dr. Nikole Lewis, an astronomer at Cornell University who works with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope – a revolutionary space telescope set to launch in the near future to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

As the show explores the prospect of exoplanetary life, it brings in recent scientific findings that could hint at the possibility of life being present on other worlds. For instance, the show highlights a recent study that discovered phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus, a planet notorious for its hostile environment. The discovery of the gas has led to a reexamination of Venus, and scientists are now considering if the planet’s atmosphere could support microbial life.

The episode examines other exoplanets, including Proxima Centauri b, a planet in the habitable zone of the nearest star to our solar system. The show also explores the TRAPPIST-1 system, a solar system that has been dubbed a potential “second Earth” due to the presence of several Earth-sized exoplanets, three of which are situated in the habitable zone.

The episode ultimately leaves viewers with the sense that there are still many mysteries left to uncover when it comes to exoplanets and potential life outside of our solar system. With advanced technology and cutting-edge methods, scientists are steadily unraveling the secrets of exoplanets and possibly getting ever closer to answering that question that has fascinated humans for centuries – are we alone in the universe?

In conclusion, How the Universe Works season 9 episode 11: Mystery of Alien Worlds is a fascinating exploration of exoplanet science, featuring groundbreaking findings that suggest that life beyond Earth could be much closer than we think. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the latest scientific discoveries and the mysteries of the universe.