Ep 4. Oasis in Space

Oasis in Space, the fourth episode of the first season of Secrets of the Universe, takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the mysteries of water in our solar system and beyond.

The episode starts with an introduction to the significance of water in the search for life on other planets. We learn that scientists have discovered that water is not exclusive to Earth and that our solar system alone has a variety of water worlds with hidden secrets.

The documentary then dives into the first destination on this journey – Mars. We learn that Mars used to have massive oceans covering its surface, which have since disappeared. But remnants of the water can still be found on the planet in the form of ice caps, underground lakes, and even seasonal flows.

The episode then takes us to Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Titan is unique as it has a thick atmosphere with clouds of methane, and hydrocarbon lakes and rivers that are believed to be liquid ethane and methane. The spacecraft Huygens landed on Titan in 2005 and provided us with remarkable images of this alien world.

Our journey continues with a stop at Enceladus, another moon of Saturn. Enceladus is thought to have a subsurface ocean that spews plumes of water vapor and ice particles into space. The plumes are rich in organic molecules, which have intriguing implications for the possibility of life outside Earth.

The next stop is Europa, one of Jupiter's largest moons. Europa has a smooth icy surface and is believed to have a deep subsurface ocean, warmed by the tidal forces from Jupiter. Scientists believe that this ocean may be one of the most promising places in the solar system for finding life beyond Earth.

Lastly, we visit distant exoplanets – planets outside our solar system. Scientists have detected a wide range of exoplanets, some with an abundance of water, including super-Earths with massive oceans. One such planet is Kepler-62f, which has a diameter of 1.4 times that of Earth and is believed to have the right conditions to support liquid water and possibly life.

Throughout the episode, Secrets of the Universe also explores the significance of water on Earth and its role in the development and sustenance of life on our planet. We see stunning footage of waterfalls, oceans, and glaciers, and learn about the water cycle that continuously sustains life on Earth.

Overall, Oasis in Space is a captivating and informative episode that takes us on an incredible journey to explore the mysteries of water in our solar system and the role it plays in the search for life on other planets. Thanks to the latest technological advancements and the curiosity of human beings, we are constantly discovering exciting new information about our universe, and this episode highlights our endeavors to answer one of the most profound questions of all – is there life beyond our home planet?