This series takes a fascinating new look at a very old universe. Fifty years after man first ventured into outer space, we examine the greatest secrets of the heavens. Each episode outlines how humans have explored the universe, and scrutinises the discoveries they have made.

We look at hi-tech space telescopes which record the violent birth of stars, robotic rovers which glimpse the red surface of Mars, and sophisticated NASA probes which delve into the mysterious make-up of comets.

As the earth churns ominously with the effects of global warming, this is a revealing and prescient journey into the heavens. From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the unknown, history and science collide in this epic exploration of the Universe and its mysteries.

In ‘The End of the Earth’, our experts discuss how the earth has become an extremely dangerous place to live within the wider universe. According to many cosmologists, it is only a matter of time before a cosmic force will annihilate the planet. At this very moment, NASA’s top brass and other scientists are arming themselves with the latest technology to pre-empt an apocalyptic attack.

We investigate a number of bizarre, unexplained and terrifying ‘end of earth’ scenarios. We meet scientists from around the world who are racing against the clock to develop technology to detect and defend our planet from apocalyptic demons. The prime suspects: asteroids, comets, gamma ray bursts, the sun and the Big Rip - a mysterious phenomenon called ‘dark energy’ which could eventually rip apart everything in the universe.