The BEST episodes of alpha-Centauri

Every episode of alpha-Centauri ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of alpha-Centauri!

Astrophysics explained graphically, well-founded and with a dash of humor - that is what you can expect of these 15-minute essays by Prof. Dr. Harald Lesch from the university observatory in Munich, Germany. Each show is centered around one topic that is of special interest to Lesch. The setting is simplistic and reminiscent of a university mini-lecture. But exactly that is what makes this show so special.

Last Updated: 8/26/2026Network: ARD alphaStatus: Ended
What use is Jupiter to us?
star
9.00
30 votes

#1 - What use is Jupiter to us?

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/2/2000

When did the last comet impact?
star
8.00
30 votes

#2 - When did the last comet impact?

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/16/2005

What is an H II region?
star
8.00
30 votes

#3 - What is an H II region?

Season 10 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/31/2007

What are wormholes?
star
7.50
60 votes

#4 - What are wormholes?

Season 4 - Episode 26 - Aired 12/23/2001

What is an annular galaxy?
star
7.50
60 votes

#5 - What is an annular galaxy?

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/5/2003

Is water magical?
star
7.00
30 votes

#6 - Is water magical?

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 10/27/2002

Who is Amalthea?
star
7.00
30 votes

#7 - Who is Amalthea?

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/11/2003

What is energy?
star
7.00
30 votes

#8 - What is energy?

Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 11/10/2002

What is radioactivity?
star
7.00
30 votes

#9 - What is radioactivity?

Season 5 - Episode 24 - Aired 11/24/2002

What is light?
star
7.00
30 votes

#10 - What is light?

Season 5 - Episode 25 - Aired 12/8/2002

What are quark stars?
star
7.00
30 votes

#11 - What are quark stars?

Season 5 - Episode 26 - Aired 12/22/2002

What are gravity waves?
star
7.00
30 votes

#12 - What are gravity waves?

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/24/2000

What are virtual particles?
star
7.00
30 votes

#13 - What are virtual particles?

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/2/2003

What's new in the galactic center?
star
7.00
30 votes

#14 - What's new in the galactic center?

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/16/2003

Why do heavenly bodies rotate? Part 2
star
7.00
30 votes

#15 - Why do heavenly bodies rotate? Part 2

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/30/2003

What is a habitable zone?
star
7.00
30 votes

#16 - What is a habitable zone?

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/27/2003

What is infinity?
star
7.00
30 votes

#17 - What is infinity?

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/26/2002

What are neutrinos?
star
7.00
30 votes

#18 - What are neutrinos?

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 10/13/2002

Was the lunar landing real?
star
7.00
30 votes

#19 - Was the lunar landing real?

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/29/2002

Is there life on Europa?
star
7.00
30 votes

#20 - Is there life on Europa?

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 9/15/2002

Is the universe symmetrical?
star
7.00
30 votes

#21 - Is the universe symmetrical?

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 9/1/2002

What are we supposed to do on Mars?
star
7.00
30 votes

#22 - What are we supposed to do on Mars?

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/18/2002

Where does our water come from?
star
7.00
30 votes

#23 - Where does our water come from?

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 8/4/2002

The 100th show: Can physics explain the world?
star
7.00
30 votes

#24 - The 100th show: Can physics explain the world?

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/21/2002

What is a red giant?
star
7.00
30 votes

#25 - What is a red giant?

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/7/2002