From the scorching surface of Mercury to the icy winds of Neptune, this BBC Learning Hub playlist takes you on an awe-inspiring voyage across our celestial neighborhood. Explore the mysteries of alien worlds, witness dramatic planetary weather, uncover the origins of Saturn’s rings, and ponder life on Mars. Whether you're a curious stargazer or a space science enthusiast, these video clips from landmark BBC series like The Planets and Wonders of the Solar System will ignite learner's imagination and deepen your cosmic curiosity.
In Reaching the Surface of Mercury, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists were able to send the space probe Messenger to Mercury, a particularly difficult planet for us to explore. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Life on Earth and Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains the conditions that are required for life to begin. Learn how Earth and Mars had these conditions at the same time. Could life have started in two places at once? Or might the life on Earth have come from outer space? This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
Can you zoom to the moon with the Numberblocks? Here's how to play:
- Cut out your rocket counters with a grown-up. Place them at the start. The player who throws the highest number on the die goes first.
- Take turns to roll the die and move around the board. The first person to reach the moon is the winner!
In The Original "Blue Planet", Professor Brian Cox explains what Mars and Earth looked like when they were formed. Learn which was the original “blue planet.” This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Developing Theories From the Chemistry of Mercury, Professor Brian Cox explains why Mercury is an unusual planet. Learn how Mercury was formed and how scientists are using observations of the planet from the Messenger mission, to refine theories about how the planet came to be. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In The Fate of Mars Is Tied to the Sun, Professor Brian Cox explains how Mars went from being full of water to a barren desert. Learn why the Sun is so important for the planets that orbit it, including Mars and Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Changes on Venus, Professor Brian Cox explains how Venus went from being a planet with the conditions to sustain life to a hot, cloudy, hellish landscape. Learn how greenhouse gases and volcanoes played a role in making Venus what it is today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Venus, the Sci-Fi Planet, Professor Brian Cox explains the efforts that Soviet scientists took to land on Venus. During this mission, they collected data about its atmosphere and took the first color photograph of its surface. Learn what makes Venus a planet that has inspired scientists and science fiction writers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Once a Red Planet, Always a Red Planet?, Professor Brian Cox explains how when Mars and Earth were born, they had similar atmospheres and were made of similar material, but the two planets took dramatically different paths. Learn how different Mars is from Earth, and how much Mars has changed in 4.6 billion years. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In The Future of Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists continue to explore Mars and what finding life on Mars means for the existence of life in the Universe. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Exploring Mars, Professor Brian Cox describes the various spacecraft that have landed on Mars and what we have learned from each. Learn how each Mars exploration project yielded more information about the Red Planet, and what the roving laboratory, Curiosity, helped scientists learn about Mars that other spacecraft had not. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
From the scorching surface of Mercury to the icy winds of Neptune, this BBC Learning Hub playlist takes you on an awe-inspiring voyage across our celestial neighborhood. Explore the mysteries of alien worlds, witness dramatic planetary weather, uncover the origins of Saturn’s rings, and ponder life on Mars. Whether you're a curious stargazer or a space science enthusiast, these video clips from landmark BBC series like The Planets and Wonders of the Solar System will ignite learner's imagination and deepen your cosmic curiosity.
In Reaching the Surface of Mercury, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists were able to send the space probe Messenger to Mercury, a particularly difficult planet for us to explore. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Life on Earth and Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains the conditions that are required for life to begin. Learn how Earth and Mars had these conditions at the same time. Could life have started in two places at once? Or might the life on Earth have come from outer space? This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
Can you zoom to the moon with the Numberblocks? Here's how to play:
- Cut out your rocket counters with a grown-up. Place them at the start. The player who throws the highest number on the die goes first.
- Take turns to roll the die and move around the board. The first person to reach the moon is the winner!
In The Original "Blue Planet", Professor Brian Cox explains what Mars and Earth looked like when they were formed. Learn which was the original “blue planet.” This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Developing Theories From the Chemistry of Mercury, Professor Brian Cox explains why Mercury is an unusual planet. Learn how Mercury was formed and how scientists are using observations of the planet from the Messenger mission, to refine theories about how the planet came to be. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In The Fate of Mars Is Tied to the Sun, Professor Brian Cox explains how Mars went from being full of water to a barren desert. Learn why the Sun is so important for the planets that orbit it, including Mars and Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Changes on Venus, Professor Brian Cox explains how Venus went from being a planet with the conditions to sustain life to a hot, cloudy, hellish landscape. Learn how greenhouse gases and volcanoes played a role in making Venus what it is today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Venus, the Sci-Fi Planet, Professor Brian Cox explains the efforts that Soviet scientists took to land on Venus. During this mission, they collected data about its atmosphere and took the first color photograph of its surface. Learn what makes Venus a planet that has inspired scientists and science fiction writers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Once a Red Planet, Always a Red Planet?, Professor Brian Cox explains how when Mars and Earth were born, they had similar atmospheres and were made of similar material, but the two planets took dramatically different paths. Learn how different Mars is from Earth, and how much Mars has changed in 4.6 billion years. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In The Future of Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists continue to explore Mars and what finding life on Mars means for the existence of life in the Universe. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
In Exploring Mars, Professor Brian Cox describes the various spacecraft that have landed on Mars and what we have learned from each. Learn how each Mars exploration project yielded more information about the Red Planet, and what the roving laboratory, Curiosity, helped scientists learn about Mars that other spacecraft had not. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.