Ep 2. Nemesis: The Sun's Evil Twin

In the second episode of season 6 of The Universe, titled "Nemesis: The Sun's Evil Twin," the show explores the intriguing yet controversial theory of a hypothetical dark companion to our sun.

The episode begins by introducing the idea of Nemesis, a proposed red or brown dwarf star that orbits the sun from an extreme distance. According to the theory, Nemesis comes closer to our solar system every 26 million years, disturbing the comet cloud and causing mass extinctions on Earth.

The show dives into the history of the Nemesis theory, which was first proposed in 1984 to explain the regularity of mass extinction events on Earth. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, scientists continue to study the theory, trying to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic star.

The episode features interviews with experts in various fields, from astronomers to paleontologists and astrobiologists, providing unique insights into the various implications of the Nemesis theory. They discuss if the existence of Nemesis could explain the mysterious Planet Nine in our solar system- the Possible outer Ninth Planet beyond Neptune. Could Nemesis be responsible for the gravitational weirdness in the deep outer reaches of our solar system?

Throughout the episode, viewers come to learn about the substantial difficulties in detecting Nemesis. With vast distances and the low temperature of the star making it nearly invisible, the search for proof of Nemesis has been an arduous task. Nevertheless, researchers persist in their quest to confirm or refute the theory.

The episode also showcases some of the groundbreaking tools and techniques utilized in the search for Nemesis. At the renowned Keck Observatory, the use of adaptive optics technology allows astronomers to observe distant celestial objects with unprecedented accuracy. On the other hand, the millimeter-wave telescopes which scan the sky for anomalies from low frequency radiation provide another method of using telescopes for achieving the detection.

Overall, "Nemesis: The Sun's Evil Twin" is an informative and thought-provoking episode that explores a fascinating theory about our solar system that has been hotly debated and remains unresolved. The research and developments discussed in the episode offer a window into the cutting-edge technologies and insights that are required to explore our universe. The show offers an interesting perspective into the potential challenges that an increased understanding of our cosmos may pose to our understanding of life and science.