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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

01: The Sun: God Star | Universe

01: The Sun: God Star | Universe

BBC Two | 2021 | 59'10''

Since the first star lit up the universe, they have been engines of creation. Professor Brian Cox reveals how, ultimately, stars brought lif...

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...

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...

The centre of our solar system | Wonders of the Solar System

The centre of our solar system | Wonders of the Solar System

BBC Two | 2019 | 2'55''

Professor Brian Cox describes each planet's perspective of the star at the centre of our solar system.

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...

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...

02: The Two Sisters - Earth and Mars | The Planets

02: The Two Sisters - Earth and Mars | The Planets

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'16''

Professor Brian Cox continues his tour of the solar system revealing that it was once home to not one, but two blue planets.

05: Aliens | Wonders of the Solar System

05: Aliens | Wonders of the Solar System

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'14''

Professor Brian Cox explores how the search for aliens in the solar system has followed the search for water. He looks at Jupiter's ...

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 ...

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...

A chaotic beginning | Wonders of the Solar System

A chaotic beginning | Wonders of the Solar System

BBC Two | 2019 | 5'10''

The chaotic birth of the solar system is incomparable to the relatively stable system that we see today.

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...

An introduction to the planets in the Solar System | The Planets

An introduction to the planets in the Solar System | The Planets

BBC Two | 2011 | 1'04''

A short explanation of the planets and their order away from the Sun.

Big Bang | Short Circuit

Big Bang | Short Circuit

BBC Two | 1992 | 19'09''

An introduction to the origins of the universe, exploring the Big Bang theory and the evidence supporting it as well as what people believe.

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...