Order Out of Chaos

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Duration: 1 hour

Professor Brian Cox visits some of the most stunning locations on earth to describe how the laws of nature have carved natural wonders across the solar system.

Brian reveals how beauty and order in earth's cosmic backyard was formed from nothing more than a chaotic cloud of gas. Chasing tornados in Oklahoma, he explains how the same physics that creates these spinning storms shaped the young solar system. Out of this celestial maelstrom emerged the jewel in the crown, Brian's second wonder - the magnificent rings of Saturn.

On an ice-choked lagoon in Iceland, he sees the nearest thing on earth to Saturn's rings. Using the latest scientific imagery and breathtaking graphics, he explains how the intricate patterns round Saturn are shaped by the cluster of more than 60 moons surrounding the planet.

One of those moons makes a spectacular contribution to the rings and is the third wonder of the solar system. Brian describes the astonishing discovery of giant fountains of ice erupting from the surface of Enceladus, which soar thousands of kilometres into space.

  • Photo: Meteor Impact Crater

    Photo: Meteor Impact Crater

    Brian Cox next to a meteor impact crater in Arizona, USA.

  • Photo: Iceberg lagoon

    Photo: Iceberg lagoon

    A lagoon chocked by icebergs in Iceland.

  • Photo: Continental Divide

    Photo: Continental Divide

    Brian cox next to the Continental Divide in Iceland.

  • Photo: Filming a Geyser

    Photo: Filming a Geyser

    Brian and the programme team film a Geyser at night.

  • Explore the Solar System

    Explore the Solar System

    Watch video clips from classic BBC television programmes about the Solar System. The videos cover topics including the planets, moons and astronauts from series such as The Planets, The Sky at Night and Horizon.

    Learn more about the Solar System with clips from the BBC archive

Credits

Presenter
Brian Cox
Director
Michael Lachmann
Series Producer
Danielle Peck
Executive Producer
Andrew Cohen

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of Order Out of Chaos (17)

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Available on: DVD, Blu-ray or Video download

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