BBC Earth Podcast
Close your eyes and open your ears
Intimate stories and surprising truths about nature, science and the human experience in a podcast the size of the planet.
Professor Brian Cox explores the dramatic lives of the eight majestic planets and worlds that make up our solar system.
Clips from the show
Show related articles
Space quizzes
Episode guide
1. A Moment in the Sun - The Terrestrial Planets
59 mins
The first episode traces the development of the four rocky worlds closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Born together, they battled the unbelievable violence of the early solar system to become stable planets.
The first episode traces the development of the four rocky worlds closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Born together, they battled the unbelievable violence of the early solar system to become stable planets.
2. The Two Sisters - Earth & Mars
59 mins
For millions of years, Mars enjoyed oceans blanketed by a thick atmosphere and a temperature climate. Whilst at the same moment Earth was a far less favourable habitat. Our planet was toxic to life today, her atmosphere choked with carbon dioxide and her oceans, acidic.
For millions of years, Mars enjoyed oceans blanketed by a thick atmosphere and a temperature climate. Whilst at the same moment Earth was a far less favourable habitat. Our planet was toxic to life today, her atmosphere choked with carbon dioxide and her oceans, acidic.
3. The Godfather: Jupiter
59 mins
Jupiter is not only the biggest but also the oldest planet in the solar system. It alone witnessed the birth of the Sun and ever since its immense gravity has shaped the destiny of the other worlds.
Jupiter is not only the biggest but also the oldest planet in the solar system. It alone witnessed the birth of the Sun and ever since its immense gravity has shaped the destiny of the other worlds.
4. Life Beyond the Sun: Saturn
59 mins
Raised in the freezing outer reaches of the solar system, Saturn began life as a strange planet of rock and ice.
Raised in the freezing outer reaches of the solar system, Saturn began life as a strange planet of rock and ice.
