The Planets (1999 TV series)
The Planets arrived on television screens in 1999 as a joint venture between the BBC and A&E. This partnership combined British documentary traditions with American production resources to create a comprehensive look at our solar system. The series consisted of eight distinct episodes that aired over a six-week period starting in late April. Original broadcasts began on the 29th of April 1999 and concluded by mid-June. A remastering process occurred five years later in 2004, updating the visual presentation for modern audiences. Samuel West provided narration for the original 1999 edition while Mark Halliley took over the role for the 2004 version.
United States space program footage appeared throughout the series alongside Soviet space program recordings. These historical clips showed real astronauts and missions from the Space Age era. Computer graphics depicted planetary formations and celestial mechanics that cameras could not capture directly. The combination created a unique visual style blending actual history with scientific visualization. Archival material included launch sequences and surface explorations from both superpowers during the Cold War period. This approach allowed viewers to see the raw reality of early space exploration efforts.
Samuel West narrated the first run of the series before Mark Halliley replaced him for the remastered edition. Pioneering scientists appeared as commentators within specific episodes to provide expert context. Episode four featured Harrison Schmidt who served as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 17. Charles Conrad commanded Apollo 12 and appeared in episode five discussing solar physics. Eugene Parker contributed insights on the Sun despite never having visited it personally. Eugene Cernan appeared in the final episode as the last human to walk on the Moon. Sergei Khrushchev offered perspective as the son of Nikita Khrushchev and an aerospace engineer himself.
The eight-episode structure covered topics ranging from rocket technology to extrasolar planet research. Different Worlds opened the series by examining early attempts at space travel and nebular hypothesis theories. Terra Firma focused on terrestrial planets while Giants explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The fourth episode detailed the Moon and the Space race years that followed. Star concentrated on the Sun including early beliefs about its divinity versus scientific behavior. Atmosphere examined planetary gaseous envelopes beyond Earth. Life investigated the possibility of existence elsewhere in the cosmos. Destiny concluded with future Solar System scenarios and current research into distant worlds.
A DVD version of the series launched on the 24th of January 2000 following the television broadcast. A hardcover book accompanied the original airings and was published by Yale University Press on the 22nd of April 1999. David McNab and James Younger wrote the accompanying text for the publication. These physical releases extended the reach of the documentary beyond the initial television window. The timing of these products allowed fans to own a permanent copy of the historical record. Commercial availability ensured the material remained accessible after the original run ended.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What is The Planets 1999 TV series about?
The Planets 1999 TV series covers topics ranging from rocket technology to extrasolar planet research. It consists of eight distinct episodes that examine early space travel attempts, terrestrial planets, gas giants, the Moon, the Sun, planetary atmospheres, and the possibility of life elsewhere.
Who narrated The Planets 1999 TV series originally?
Samuel West provided narration for the original 1999 edition of The Planets. Mark Halliley took over the role for the remastered version released five years later in 2004.
When did The Planets 1999 TV series first air on television?
Original broadcasts began on the 29th of April 1999 and concluded by mid-June 1999. A DVD version of the series launched on the 24th of January 2000 following the television broadcast.
Which astronauts appeared as commentators in The Planets 1999 TV series?
Episode four featured Harrison Schmidt who served as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 17. Charles Conrad commanded Apollo 12 and appeared in episode five discussing solar physics while Eugene Cernan appeared in the final episode as the last human to walk on the Moon.