The Universe — Season 9

Examining the interpretations by ancient peoples of celestial phenomena as bad omens, and the impact that the perceived omens may have had on history.

Examining strange shapes of the universe, such as the "Eye of God", the hexagon on Saturn, and the "face" on the Moon.

Hell fires, endless winters, or a planet wracked by earthquakes are a few versions of Armageddon visualized by the Vikings, Aztecs, and the rest of our ancient ancestors. But which does modern science think will be closest to the truth? Celestial phenomena--the aging of our sun, the expansion of our universe, and other potentially cataclysmic events--could trigger the kind of Armageddon the ancients feared. Which ancient prophecy do scientists believe actually foretells our doom? And how close are we to the end of the world?

Examining the possibility of other worlds existing in the universe.

Examining whether tracking astronomical phenomena can actually predict the future.

Examining Roman engineering and its impact on life in the ancient empire.