Experts' views
Explore the themes of the programmes in more depth with our expert views
The Oxfordshire sun machine
Inside a nondescript warehouse in Culham, a team spend their days making stars.
![The SWIFT satellite and gamma ray burst [Image: NASA]](images/sunburst_progfront_3820.jpg)
A cosmic detective story
A cold-war nuclear treaty sparked a fascinating search for the source of gamma-ray bursts.
![Buzz Aldrin on the moon [Image: NASA]](images/explore_progfront_3821.jpg)
New frontiers
Commercialisation, curiosity and colonisation - all considerations when asking why explore space?
![matter off a companion star [image: NASA]](images/blackholesuckingmaterial_pr_1053.jpg)
The edge of the universe
Astronomers reveal how they go hunting for black holes, exploding stars and other feats of extreme astronomy.
![Venus Express launches on a Soyuz Fregat rocket [Image: ESA / STARSEM-S. CORVAJA]](images/venusexpliftoff_progfront_1238.jpg)
The planet and the mission
Before the European probe reaches its orbit, observation and other missions have already given a good idea of what to expect. Meet the target of Venus Express.
Are we alone in the universe?
The only sure way to prove there's life beyond this planet is by making contact.
Content last updated: 18/04/2007
