The Universe poster

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.

Availability and prices can change. Confirm the details on the streaming service before you subscribe, rent or buy.

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 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 1

Episode 1

Alien Planets

45m8.0 / 10

Have planet hunters finally found proof of other Earthlike worlds? Astronomers have now discovered over two hundred alien worlds, beyond our solar system, that were unknown just a decade ago

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Episode 2

Cosmic Holes

45m7.0 / 10

We know black holes exist, and now scientists are trying to confirm that other holes lurk in hyperspace.

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Episode 3

Mysteries of the Moon

45m6.0 / 10

A closer look at the beacon in the dark sky reveals an ever-present source of myth, intrigue, controversy and unsolved mysteries

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Episode 4

The Milky Way

45m8.0 / 10

We used to think that Earth was at the center of the universe, but now we know we're not even at the center of our own galaxy. Countless wonders exist between where earth is situated and the massive black hole at the galactic center of our solar system. Within the Milky Way can be found the debris of old, dying stars fueling the birth of new stars and at the galactic center hypervelocity stars get catapulted clear beyond the Milky Way's outer rim at unimaginable speeds. Come along for a guided tour of 100,000 light-year-wide family of stars and stellar phenomena we call The Milky Way.

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Episode 5

Alien Moons

45m6.0 / 10

Travel from the inner solar system to the Kuiper Belt and explore the moons surrounding the planets of the solar system. Many of these moons that were once unknown are now on the cutting edge of astronomical study.

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Episode 6

Dark Matter

45m5.0 / 10

Scientists have no idea what it is, but Dark Matter and Dark Energy make up 96% of the Universe. Dark Matter is everywhere. It passes through everything we know on earth at billions of particles every second, yet no one has ever gotten a direct detection of this mysterious dark substance. An even more bewildering force is Dark Energy, which is rapidly pushing apart our Universe. Discovered only ten years ago, scientists are struggling to comprehend its unusual characteristics and answer the ultimate question; what is the fate of our Universe?

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode 7

Astrobiology

45m5.0 / 10

Does life exist on other planets? Astrobiology is a visionary new science that searches for life in space by combining the disciplines of astronomy, biology and geology. How did life evolve on Earth? What will life look like on other planets? These and other pertinent questions will be answered by a diverse group of scientists.

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Episode 8

Space Travel

45m6.0 / 10

When man finally broke free of the Earth's gravitational pull the dream of traveling to other planets became a reality. Today scientists are proposing a bizarre array of technologies in the hope of traveling faster through space, from space craft sporting sails that catch laser beams, to propulsion engines powered by a bizarre entity known as anti-matter.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode 9

Supernovas

45m7.0 / 10

A stellar explosion, the supernova is the sensational death of a star. It can shine as bright as 100 billion suns and radiate as much energy as the Sun would emit over 10 billion years. Jets of high-energy light and matter are propelled into space and can cause massive gamma ray bursts and emit intense X-ray radiation for thousands of years. Astronomers believe that this process creates the very building blocks of planets, people and plants.

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Episode 10

Constellations

45m7.0 / 10

A constellation is a group of stars that are connected together to form a figure or picture. Explore some of the 88 official constellations and learn about some of the highlights of each.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode 11

Unexplained Mysteries

45m6.0 / 10

A look at myths and mysteries concerning the universe. Includes a possibility that life can be sustained on Mars, an examination of time travel, and the theory of a Dark Star as a companion of our sun. Also, a closer look at the Big Bang theory.

Episode credits

Guest stars Kim Stanley Robinson

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Episode 12

Cosmic Collisions

45m7.0 / 10

Our universe is a cosmic shooting gallery, gravity is moving everything around & things will collide. Astronomers are attempting to understand how collisions occur in space.

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Episode 13

Colonizing Space

45m6.5 / 10

Space colonization is no longer the fodder of sci-fi, it's becoming a reality. The efforts are underway to establish a colony on Mars, how they plan to grow food, recycle wastewater & introduce greenhouse gases to revive the Red Planet & make it habitable for us.

Episode credits

Guest stars David Brin

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Episode 14

Nebulas

45m7.0 / 10

Nebulae are clouds of gas that aren't classified as stars, planets, moons or asteroids. Astronomers use the most sophisticated techniques to view them since they are practically invisible to the naked eye.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode 15

Wildest Weather in the Cosmos

45m7.0 / 10

Imagine a tornado so powerful, it can form a planet or how about rain made of iron.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode 16

Biggest Things in Space

45m6.0 / 10

Discover which is the largest planet, star, star cluster, constellation, black hole, volcano, galaxy, explosions, moon, storm, impact crater and void in space.

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Episode 17

Gravity

45m7.0 / 10

Explore how science and humanity discovered, overcame and utilized gravity.

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Episode 18

Cosmic Apocalypse

45m7.0 / 10finale

The Universe as we know it is condemned to death. Space, matter and even time will one day cease to exist and there's nothing we can do about it. Harsh realities are revealed about the future of our Universe; it may collapse and burn or it might be gripped by a galactic ice age. Either of these scenarios might be a long way off. However, our Universe could suddenly be destroyed by a "random quantum fluctuation", a bubble of destruction that can obliterate the entire cosmos in the blink of an eye. No matter how it ends, life in our Universe is doomed.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michio Kaku

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Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about The Universe

Cast

David Ackroyd
Erik Thompson
David Brin
Alan Guth
Michael Cassutt
Michio Kaku
Kim 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