Prepare for lift-off as we are going to take you on a grand tour into the stars with this special edition from The Week Junior Science+Nature! Starting with our nearest neighbourhood, we’ll examine the Sun, marvel at Mars and more. Then, we’ll explore exciting worlds beyond the solar system, scan for alien life and figure our how many galaxies are out there. So, grab your spacesuit and get ready to blast off on a fascinating journey into the cosmos!
Welcome
Home System
WELCOME TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM • The Sun, eight planets, five dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, thousands of comets, over a million asteroids and a whole lot of empty space… The solar system is vast. Let’s get our telescope out and take a look!
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS • Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe are the spacecraft tasked with plunging into the Sun’s scorching atmosphere to discover its secrets.
A trip to the heart of the Sun
SCIENCE FACT OR SCIENCE FICTION?
MIHO JANVIER • SPACE SCIENTIST AND SOLAR STORM CHASER, INSTITUT D’ASTROPHYSIQUE SPATIALE, FRANCE.
EARTH’S EVIL TWIN • Venus may be bright and beautiful but it hides a deadly secret.
Surviving a Venus landing
SAY HELLO TO PLANET EARTH • Get to know your home planet and discover what YOU can do to it.
Earth Day
INSIDE THE DART MISSION • Lessons from a impactful spacecraft might one day save the world.
Near Earth Objects
SHADOW PLAY
What are meteorites and where do they come from? • These space rocks can tell us a lot about our solar system and how it was made.
The hunt for Planet X • Could an undiscovered giant planet lurk in the darkness at the edge of our solar system?
Lost worlds Three planets that never were
What would aliens be like? • Scientists can only guess what life on other planets would look like.
Epic Missions
MOON ROCKET • Prepare for lift-off as NASA aims to send a rocket back to the Moon.
Gateway to Mars
Tiera Fletcher • Meet the wonder woman of rocket science.
Rocket with the Fletchers
Could YOU be an astronaut? • Do you dream of travelling into space, perhaps going boldly where no one has gone before? Find out if you have what it takes to do the toughest job in the universe.
Do you have what it takes?
Mae Jemison • The woman who broke down boundaries and made it to the stars.
From Apollo to Artemis
SPACE STATION • Take a closer look at humanity’s home in space.
Tim Peake • The British astronaut talks about on life aboard the International Space Station.
Talking aliens
The overview effect • Why does a trip into space leave many people changed forever?
Worlds on film
MISSION TO THE MOON • Remembering the historic Apollo 11 voyage that put the first people on the Moon.
From lift-off to splashdown
KATHERINE JOHNSON • RESEARCH MATHEMATICIAN, NASA
THAT’S DISGUSTING
Margaret Hamilton • Meet the coder whose computer skills helped send people to the Moon.
Creative coding
EARTHRISE
RETURN TO THE MOON • Get ready to join the crew of Artemis II as they blast off on a daring mission into outer space.
SET YOUR SIGHTS FOR THE MOON • As Artemis II’s newest member, you’ll kick off a whole new era of Moon landings, help set up a base in lunar orbit and maybe become the first human to visit Mars. Here’s your mission briefing.
Exploring Space
Maggie Aderin-Pocock • This space scientist and TV presenter has never stopped reaching for the stars.
ROBOT ROLLERS
Hits and misses
TANYA HARRISON • PLANETARY SCIENTIST
Should space exploration be done by people?...