The Planets Season 1 Episode 5
The Planets
Season 1

Ep 5. Star

  • TV-G
  • May 27, 1999
  • 58 min
  • 8.1  (55)

In episode 5 of The Planets season 1, titled "Star," viewers will dive deep into the heart of our solar system's most important celestial body. The star, known to us as the Sun, is at the center of everything that happens in our solar system, and this episode explores how it affects everything from the planets' orbits to their internal temperatures.

Viewers will learn about the origins of the Sun, which scientists believe was formed from a cloud of gas and dust around 4.6 billion years ago. The episode goes on to explain how powerful nuclear reactions within the Sun's core create its energy, which is then radiated out into space in the form of light and heat.

One fascinating aspect of the Sun that the episode touches on is its magnetic field. Through stunning visualizations, viewers will see how the Sun's magnetic field shapes and influences the behavior of the planets in our solar system. This includes the formation of sunspots, which are areas of intense magnetic activity on the Sun's surface that can sometimes cause disruptions to Earth's magnetic field.

Another interesting topic explored in this episode is solar flares. These eruptions of energy from the Sun's surface can have significant effects on our planet, including radiation storms that can interfere with satellites and communication systems. The episode explains how scientists study solar flares and their potential impacts, and explores what steps can be taken to mitigate these effects.

Throughout the episode, viewers will also get a sense of the sheer scale of the Sun. From its immense size (it would take over 1 million Earths to fill the Sun's volume) to the vast amounts of energy it generates (around 386 billion megawatts per second), it's clear that the Sun is truly a wonder of our solar system.

Overall, episode 5 of The Planets season 1 is a fascinating exploration of the star at the center of our solar system. Through stunning visuals and in-depth explanations, viewers will gain a new appreciation for the Sun and its crucial role in shaping the planets and life on Earth.

Description
Watch The Planets - Star (s1 e5) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
The Planets, Season 1 Episode 5, is available to watch and stream on BBC Earth. You can also buy, rent The Planets on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    May 27, 1999
  • Content Rating
    TV-G
  • Runtime
    58 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (55)