Episode 1
Secrets of the Sun
Behold the sun and all of it's glory. Learn all things about the sun ranging from its beginning to its death. Also learn about how stars work in general and MUCH MUCH more.
Where to watch The Universe
TV series
The Universe
2007NR9 seasons8.0 / 10
From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the unknown, history and science collide in a wondrous yet deadly adventure through space and time.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Universe is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Philo, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Watch free
Synopsis
From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the unknown, history and science collide in a wondrous yet deadly adventure through space and time.
Season 1 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 2
Mars: The Red Planet
Visit the planet most like Earth. There is a discussion of what life on Mars would be like and about the life forms that could've evolved there.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 3
The End of the Earth: Deep Space Threats to our Planet
Asteroids, comets, gamma ray bursts and the sun all combine to make the Earth a dangerous place to live. NASA's top brass and other scientists are arming themselves with the latest technology to pre-empt an apocalyptic attack. Watch and investigate bizarre, and terrifying apocalyptic scenarios and the ways that scientists are racing against the clock to develop technology to defend our planet.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 4
Jupiter: The Giant Planet
Jupiter poses many questions about our solar system. It is a powerful planet of gas whose flowing colors and spots are beautiful, but contain violent storms and jet streams. A mini solar system of over sixty moons rotate around Jupiter--a half billion miles from earth. Could one of these moons contain life under its icy crust?
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 5
The Moon
The moon has comforted man for thousands of years. It's been everything from a god to a compass, and the only cosmic body human beings have ever visited. NASA is planning to build a permanent outpost there. Discover how the moon came to be--if you don't already know, you will be astounded.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 6
Spaceship Earth
Take a high performance ride through the formation of the third planet from the Sun, Earth... A survivor of one of the most violent "neighborhoods" in the Universe, learn how Earth was created and discover what creatures hold clues to how life began. What evil forces threaten the demise of Earth? Complex and controversial, this is the scientific detective story of all time.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 7
The Inner Planets: Mercury & Venus
Examining Mercury and Venus. Included: exploring how the damages they've suffered from cosmic collisions and acid rain may serve as a warning for Earth.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 8
Saturn: Lord of the Rings
Are the rings of Saturn a real celestial phenomenon or merely a cosmic Illusion? Technology allows the experts to get closer to the furthest planet visible to the naked eye. Old questions are answered and new ones arise. Does Saturn hold the key to Earth's weather and will one of its moons supply us with all the oil we'll ever need?
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 9
Alien Galaxies
Our galaxy is one of hundreds of billions in the universe. View of universe through the Hubble telescope and go back almost all the way to the Big Bang.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 10
Life and Death of a Star
Ignited by the power of the atom, burning with light, heat and wrath, stars are anything but peaceful. They collide, devour each other, and explode in enormous supernovas--the biggest explosions in the Universe.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 11
The Outer Planets
This episode details outer lying planets and their moons. Included will be Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Using CGI, we will also see what alien life might look like on other worlds.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 12
The Most Dangerous Place in the Universe
Take a tour of the cosmic hot zones--black holes, galaxy mergers, gamma ray bursts and magnetars. Super black holes can literally lasso Earth out of the solar system. A clash between two galaxies can result in a ritual called galactic cannibalism. Magnetars are a cosmic magnetic force so strong it could wipe out data on every credit card.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 13
Search for ET
Are we alone? SETI--the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence--is a privately funded project using radio telescopes and optical telescopes to scan the stars for signals.
Where to watch The Universe
Episode 14
Beyond the Big Bang
The universe began with a massive expansion, billions and billions of years ago, and it continues to expand with every passing second. The idea that the universe, and man's very existence, began with a "Big Bang" is no longer a topic of debate among most scientists--it is essentially taken as fact.
Where to watch The UniverseEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
More about The Universe
Cast
David Ackroyd
Erik ThompsonDavid Brin
Alan Guth
Michael Cassutt
Michio KakuKim Stanley Robinson
Credits
- Written by
- Laura Verklan
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Documentary
- Episodes
- 88
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
HistoryUnited States
H2United States- Flight 33 ProductionsUnited States
Themes
astronautastronomycosmologycosmosgalaxyplanetscience and technologyscience fact
You may also like
More shows like The Universe.
Available nowHow Do They Do It?
Similar story and audience
Available nowHow the Universe Works
Similar story and audience
Available nowMysteries at the Museum
Similar story and audience
Available nowAncient Aliens
Similar story and audience
Available nowHow It's Made
Similar story and audience
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage
Shared themes