Plot Synopsis

Host Brian Cox illustrates how the same physical laws that describe the behavior of light, gravity, time, matter and energy here on Earth can explain the qualities of the greater universe. In four episodes, he travels the world to find simple phenomena on our planet to help him explain more complex behaviors, such as: demonstrating how the universe continues to become increasingly disordered by using the deserts of Namibia; showing how the water of Victoria Falls mimics the way light moves around a black hole; breaking the sound barrier in a fighter jet to explain how the speed of light allows us to measure distance and time; and many more locations where Cox shares personal stories, historical anecdotes and scientific insights. Science aired the U.S. premiere of the series on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 9pm ET.