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Order out of Chaos

Professor Brian Cox describes how nature has carved out the solar system. He looks at the rings of Saturn, explaining how they formed from a chaotic cloud of gas.

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.

58 minutes

Music Played

  • DJ Kappa

    Intro: Hra Sa Zacina

  • The Chemical Brothers

    The Private Psychedelic Reel

  • UNKLE

    Nocturnal

  • UNKLE

    Kaned And AbelĀ 

  • Steen1

    Hipaisu Ikuisuutta

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterBrian Cox
DirectorMichael Lachmann
Series ProducerDanielle Peck
Executive ProducerAndrew Cohen

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Mar 201021:00
  • Tue 16 Mar 201019:00
  • Wed 17 Mar 201000:10
  • Sat 17 Apr 201020:00
  • Sun 18 Apr 201001:55
  • Sat 15 May 201002:55
  • Sun 26 Sep 201018:00
  • Mon 22 Nov 201019:00
  • Tue 23 Nov 201001:00
  • Tue 28 Dec 201019:00
  • Tue 12 Apr 201123:20
  • Tue 12 Apr 201123:30
  • Sun 29 Jan 201223:30
  • Thu 14 Jun 201220:00
  • Fri 15 Jun 201201:35
  • Sun 17 Jun 201200:30
  • Wed 11 Feb 201500:25
  • Thu 21 Nov 201920:00
  • Tue 30 Aug 202201:00