Watch the Universe History Channel

The sky and outer space have fascinated man for centuries and the History Channel's series The Universe is the story of man's study of the cosmos from his earliest attempts to map and understand the heavens through modern day scientific studies, advances, and theories.

A mix of historical footage, modern space imaging, and conceptual computer graphics presented in high-definition, the visual component of this production is absolutely breathtaking. Each of the episodes begins with a general introduction of subjects ranging from the sun to individual planets, alien galaxies, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and scientific theories like the Big Bang.

Each topic is then broken down into a series of segments that detail specific ideas, theories, or components integral to the understanding of the main topic as well as historical material, current studies and theories, and projections of potential future events and scientific advances.

The episodes also cover a wide range of topics, from Cosmic Holes to Cosmic Collisions, from supernovas to gravity. There are episodes about the weather in space, the largest objects in space (hint: they're really, really big, like the so-called cosmic web of galaxies, which is a hundred million billion times bigger than Earth), and traveling to and colonizing space.

The amount of information and data provided is enormous. Jargon abounds, including terms like lunar transient phenomena, pulsar planets, hot Jupiters, dark matter and dark energy, collisional families, the heavy bombardment period, and many, many more.

We once considered ourselves to be at the center of the universe - now we know that we are just a small speck in a giant cosmos. The Universe ventures outside of our solar system in another epic exploration of the universe and its mysteries. Discover "alcohol clouds, " which are filled with organic molecules, and learn about a hypothetical planet that may exist beyond Neptune.

Using stunning HD graphics, The Universe transport viewers past the wonders of our own solar system and out to the bizarre far-flung reaches of the cosmos. From death stars to ringed planets, star clusters to space wars, The Universe uses new discoveries and more advanced CGI to help explain the mysteries of outer space.

From wormholes to transporters, examine which elements from popular sci-fi movies could really exist; and discover how the universe is awash in all sorts of strange liquids, from oceans of methane to blobs of alcohol floating in space, and even iron rain.