Ep 2. Mars: The Red Planet

The second episode of The Universe season 1, titled "Mars: The Red Planet," delves into humanity's fascination with the fourth planet in our solar system. Viewers are taken on a journey to explore the planet's history, features, and potential for future exploration.

The episode begins with a brief history lesson on Mars, including its discovery by ancient civilizations and its place in mythology. From there, it is explained that Mars is the planet most similar to Earth in terms of size, making it an ideal target for exploration.

The show then delves into the planet's unique features, including its thin atmosphere and dusty surface. Scientists explain how the planet's atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, making it impossible for humans to breathe without assistance. Additionally, Mars' surface is littered with impact craters, some of which are larger than the entire state of Texas.

One of the most interesting aspects of Mars is the presence of water on the planet. The show explains that while there is no standing water on Mars, evidence of liquid water in the planet's past has been found. Scientists believe that underground water may exist on Mars today, which could allow for future exploration and even colonization.

The episode also covers the exploration of Mars by NASA's Mars rovers. The show provides a look behind the scenes of the mission control center and showcases the work of the scientists and engineers who operate the rovers.

As the episode draws to a close, the focus shifts to the future of Mars exploration. The show discusses NASA's plans to send humans to Mars in the coming decades, including the challenges that will need to be overcome in order to make it a reality. The show touches on ideas such as terraforming the planet to make it more hospitable for human life, and the potential for Mars to serve as a stepping stone for further exploration of our solar system.

Overall, The Universe season 1 episode 2 provides a captivating look at the planet Mars and humanity's obsession with exploring it. Viewers are given a thorough understanding of the planet's features and the potential for future exploration, as well as an inside look at the science and technology behind current efforts to study the planet.