It's new to the Science Channel.

The One True b!X | February 16, 00:14 CET

They're giving it a new intro? wtf?

jesse | February 16, 00:24 CET

As in he will introduce the show, not as in new opening titles.

The One True b!X | February 16, 00:29 CET

Yeah, why would HE be filming it? It's a commercial is what it is.

phisho | February 16, 00:30 CET

Yeah, sounds like this is just going to be him emceeing, essentially.

Kiba | February 16, 00:42 CET

it's probably a 30 second bumper before the show, just to introduce it

rocknjosie | February 16, 00:54 CET

What makes him notorious?

RobinInSeoul | February 16, 01:03 CET

I've edited this to remove the speculation and the notorious comment.

Sunfire | February 16, 01:27 CET

If they show it in the correct order and all the episodes, then more people will get to see Firefly. And that is a good thing.

The Do That Girl | February 16, 11:54 CET

Actually, this is pretty interesting. May be that the show was realistic in its show of space travel? Just guessing out loud here, people. Your guess as good as mine.

Madhatter | February 16, 13:29 CET

All the planets in one solar system has raised at least more than one eyebrow.

Simon | February 16, 13:50 CET

So far, some pretty interesting extrasolar planets have been discovered. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrasolar_planet

And some fascinating speculative maps of the 'verse have appeared.

not_Bridget | February 16, 14:50 CET

All the planets in one solar system has raised at least more than one eyebrow.

True, but I always keep the glass half-filled. Hey, someone has to keep some opportunism, right?

Madhatter | February 16, 15:08 CET

"All the planets in one solar system has raised at least more than one eyebrow."

And on many people two. 'Cause that Spock thing is hard even after many hours of practicing in the mirror.

Which by the way, I um, never did. Really. I swear. It was a... a friend. Yep. That's it--a friend.

BreathesStory | February 16, 16:23 CET

Maybe Joss was sort of onto something with a crowded solar system...


("Alien solar system packs its planets like sardines", New Scientist, 03 February 2011)

Ying | February 16, 17:49 CET

I've tried the one eyebrow lift and I canna. Maybe it's genetic?

Ying, thank you for that link. How very strange. I look forward to the explanation, if the scientists arrive at one.

Most discussions about planets that might have the conditions for Earth-type life don't mention our unusually massive moon. The Moon has swept a lot of asteroids and meteors out of our orbital path; it stabilizes our axial tilt and therefore our climate; it produces ocean tides. If this planet had bitty moons like Mars has, it would be a lot less friendly to multicellular life.

Our moon resulted from collision with another planet early in the formation of the solar system; what are the chances of that happening? Propitious conditions for advanced life elsewhere might be more common on the big moons of gas giant planets than on rocky planets, with the giant planet's gravity performing the functions that the Moon does for us.

janef | February 16, 20:37 CET

The thing about the solar system in Firefly is that it has extra suns orbiting around its central star. So it's like four outer solar systems orbiting around a large central one. That's how they explain it away, although I'm not sure if a system as complicated as that could actually exist. (For one, most of the inner Alliance planets would never have night time.)

I'm glad that Firefly is being aired here. Firefly on TV is always good news to me.

Bobathin | February 16, 20:58 CET

All retcons IMHO. The planetary diagram on Alliance paper money doesn't look anything like that.

When multiple stars form a single orbital system in nature (as is fairly common), there is no central star. If people had the tech to move objects with the mass of stars around, they would have godlike abilities.

I believe the celestial mechanics is rubbish, but I'm glad Firefly is airing too.

janef | February 17, 00:46 CET

Oh, you're right. It would be around a common center of mass. I'm bad at this.

But at least we can all agree that Firefly is awesome. You truly can't stop the signal.

Bobathin | February 17, 10:49 CET

According to CNN , the "Science Channel will wrap each episode with interstitial segments starring renowned physicist Dr. Michio Kaku, who will discuss the theoretical science behind the show's sci-fi concepts". Potentially cool if you ask me...

Volo | February 22, 17:06 CET