S01E02:…about the Universe | James May’s Things You Need to Know

Duration: 28'58''

Synopsis

James May takes a journey of discovery across the universe, asking where it all began, how stars work, and what Madonna is doing in space.

Further Information

More clips from James May's Things You Need to Know

An introduction to Dark Energy and Dark Matter | James May's Things You Need to Know

An introduction to Dark Energy and Dark Matter | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'38''

James May explains what elements our universe is made up of.

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'27''

James May explores the clues left in outer space that are proof of the Big Bang's occurrence.

How the sun creates energy | James May's Things You Need to Know

How the sun creates energy | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'19''

James May explains how stars work and the difference between fission and fusion.

The death of a star | James May's Things You Need to Know

The death of a star | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'51''

James May explains how as a star dies, it gets brighter, hotter and smaller.

The formation of our Solar System | James May's Things You Need to Know

The formation of our Solar System | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'35''

James May explains how our solar system began as a solar nebula, a formation of clouds and dust.

More resources about Space Physics

Episode 1 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

Episode 1 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'23''

Kate Humble and Dr Helen Czerski follow the Earth's voyage around the sun for one complete orbit, travelling first from July...

How hurricanes are formed by Earth's rotation | Learning Zone

How hurricanes are formed by Earth's rotation | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2012 | 5'20''

Physicist Helen Czerski explains that hurricanes happen because the earth is rotating. She shows how, because t...

01: Deep Earth | How Earth Made Us

01: Deep Earth | How Earth Made Us

BBC Two | 2010 | 59'24''

Series telling the story of how the development of civilisation was influenced by planetary forces. Professor Iain Stewart explores the ro...

Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey | Learning Zone

Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'58''

Kate Humble and Dr Helen Czerski follow the Earth's voyage around the sun for one complete orbit, to witness the astonis...

02: Out of Sight | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

02: Out of Sight | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

BBC HD | 2010 | 58'22''

Richard Hammond uses groundbreaking imaging technology to take the viewer on a journey of discovery beyond the visible ...

01: Destiny | Wonders of the Universe

01: Destiny | Wonders of the Universe

BBC Two | 2011 | 59'04''

Professor Brian Cox explores the laws of the universe. In this episode, Brian looks at the nature of time and its role in creating both...

Episode 2 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

Episode 2 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'58''

Kate Humble and Dr Helen Czerski follow the Earth's voyage around the sun for one complete orbit, this time travelling from ...

01: Empire of the Sun | Wonders of the Solar System

01: Empire of the Sun | Wonders of the Solar System

BBC Two | 2019 | 58'29''

Professor Brian Cox describes how the laws of nature have carved natural wonders across the solar system. He explores the...

05: The Big Bang: Before the Dawn | Universe

05: The Big Bang: Before the Dawn | Universe

BBC Two | 2021 | 59'01''

It's the ultimate question: why are we here? Brian Cox explores how cutting-edge space missions take us back 13.8 billion years ...

A Night with the Stars

A Night with the Stars

BBC Two | 2011 | 58'39''

Professor Brian Cox takes an audience of famous faces, scientists and members of the public on a journey through some of the most challenging concepts...

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

Evidence of the Big Bang | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2011 | 2'27''

James May explores the clues left in outer space that are proof of the Big Bang's occurrence.

Evidence of the Big Bang | Wonders of the Universe

Evidence of the Big Bang | Wonders of the Universe

BBC Two | 2011 | 4'26''

Brian Cox simply explains how light and colour are crucial evidence for the Big Bang.

01: Volcano Worlds | Solar System

01: Volcano Worlds | Solar System

BBC Two | 2024 | 58'57''

Professor Brian Cox explores planets and moons covered in volcanoes. He encounters alien landscapes bursting with fire and ice - eruptions ...

02: Stardust | Wonders of the Universe

02: Stardust | Wonders of the Universe

BBC Two | 2011 | 58'23''

Professor Brian Cox explores the laws of the universe. In this episode, he seeks to answer the biggest questions of all - what are we ...

03: Storm Worlds | Solar System

03: Storm Worlds | Solar System

BBC Two | 2024 | 58'57''

Professor Brian Cox explores the solar system's wildest weather, encountering powerful lightning, strange metallic frosts and monsoon rains o...

04: Ice Worlds | Solar System

04: Ice Worlds | Solar System

BBC Two | 2024 | 58'57''

Professor Brian Cox explores the solar system's ice giants, frozen moons and worlds where ice behaves in unimaginable ways.

05: Strange Worlds | Solar System

05: Strange Worlds | Solar System

BBC Two | 2024 | 58'50''

Professor Brian Cox explores the solar system's misfits and oddballs and investigates the forces that sculpted the bizarre features on thes...

Episode 3 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

Episode 3 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'01''

Kate Humble is in the Arctic, where spring arrives with a bang. Helen Czerski chases a tornado to show how the earth's angle...

01: A Moment in the Sun - The Terrestrial Planets | The Planets

01: A Moment in the Sun - The Terrestrial Planets | The Planets

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'02''

The rocky planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars were born at the same time from the same material - yet hav...

01: Space: How Far Can We Go? | Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time

01: Space: How Far Can We Go? | Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time

BBC Two | 2021 | 59'06''

Brian Cox explores the latest science and takes a new look at his old films and asks: how far can we...

More from James May

Why Do Cats Have Nine Lives? | James May's Things You Need to Know

Why Do Cats Have Nine Lives? | James May's Things You Need to Know

BBC Two | 2012 | 2'45''

James May explains about speed, using a fast-moving mix of animation and graphics. Here he explores why te...

S01E01 | James May's Cars of the People

S01E01 | James May's Cars of the People

BBC Two | 2014 | 59'26''

James May discovers how cars became an everyday part of people's lives. His journey begins in Europe, where he reveals a tale of war,...

S01E06: Music | Dara O'Briain's Science Club

S01E06: Music | Dara O'Briain's Science Club

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'20''

Dara O Briain and his expert team examine the science behind music. James May explores how music is linked to our emotions and M...

Creating moulds | James May's Man Lab

Creating moulds | James May's Man Lab

BBC Two | 2011 | 10'50''

James re-forms some impractical kitchen items into the perfect lemon squeezer in his very own foundry.

06: Big City, Bright Lights | James May's 20th Century

06: Big City, Bright Lights | James May's 20th Century

BBC Two | 2007 | 28'35''

Each day 180,000 people move into a city somewhere on the planet. James May investigates how the high-rise urban livin...