We live in a world ablaze with colour. From rainbows and rainforests to oceans and humanity, earth is the most colourful place we know of. But the colours we see are far more complex and fascinating than they appear. In this series, Dr Helen Czerski uncovers what colour is, how it works, and how it has written the story of our planet.
From the colours that transformed a dull ball of rock into a vivid jewel to the colours that life has used to survive and thrive. But the story doesn’t end there. There are also the colours that we can’t see, the ones that lie beyond the rainbow. Each one has a fascinating story to tell.
As series co-producer, we've collated a range of fascinating content to help take your learning further. You can:
- Find out more about the science of colour with free articles and podcasts, plus try your own science experiment.
- Explore colour in art, culture and everyday life with even more articles written by OU academics.
- Read the programme guides outlining each episode of the series.
- Try a free course in science - from Chemistry to astronomy.
- Take it further with The Open University - become a science student.
The first episode of Colour: the Spectrum of Science will air on BBC Four on Wednesday 4th November 2015 at 9PM. Full broadcast details and watch again links can be found on bbc.co.uk.
Learn more about the science of colour
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Separate coloured ink with this experiment
Did you know your black biro isn't black and your green felt tip isn't green? Don't believe this? Try this chromatography experiment.
Read nowSeparate coloured ink with this experimentLevel: 1 Introductory
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The colour of stars
Ever wondered why some stars appear slightly blue and others red? Looking at the life cycle of a star will explain why...
Read nowThe colour of starsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Glow worms: Britain's brightest beetle
Steve Hussey from the Devon Wildlife Trust discusses glow worms, their habitat, and the impacts on their population
Listen nowGlow worms: Britain's brightest beetleLevel: 1 Introductory
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Strange coloured teeth; strange coloured bones
Are bones and teeth always white? Not always...
Read nowStrange coloured teeth; strange coloured bonesLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Properties of gold
Open University chemist Mike Bullivant outlines the properties of gold
Read nowProperties of goldLevel: 1 Introductory
To find out more about the optical illusions, confusing lighting and how the Lion King can change your perception of colour visit the BBC iWonder guide Why do we see colours differently?, written by OU academic and programme consultant Nicholas Turner.
Look at colour in everday life and culture
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Over the rainbow: Colour in culture and everyday life
Different colours can hold various connotations in culture, language and society. Delve through our range of colours exploring colours and what they mean.
Read nowOver the rainbow: Colour in culture and everyday lifeLevel: 1 Introductory
Like science? Try a free course
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Basic science: understanding experiments
This free course, Basic science: understanding experiments, introduces you to science-based skills through simple and exciting physics, chemistry and biology experiments.
Learn moreBasic science: understanding experimentsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Introduction to polymers
This free course, Introduction to polymers, examines the use of polymers and demonstrates how their properties are controlled by their molecular structure. You will learn how this structure determines which polymer to use for a particular product. You will also explore the manufacturing techniques used and the how the use of polymerisation can be used to control the structure of polymers.
Learn moreIntroduction to polymersLevel: 3 Advanced
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The oceans
The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet. In this free course, The oceans, you will learn about the depths of the oceans and the properties of the water that fills them, what drives the ocean circulation and how the oceans influence our climate.
Learn moreThe oceansLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Galaxies, stars and planets
This free course, Galaxies, stars and planets, is a general introduction, including scale of the universe from the very large to the very small; orbits and gravity; the Solar System; the Sun and other stars; galaxies and the composition of astronomical objects.
Learn moreGalaxies, stars and planetsLevel: 1 Introductory
Take it further with The Open University
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BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences
This degree is ideal if you're keen to study a specific area of science, or interested in studying across the scientific disciplines. Many of the challenges facing society today will involve a cross-disciplinary approach and this degree provides you with the opportunity to explore a range of sciences. It starts with a wide-ranging introduction to highly topical areas of modern science, giving you a good grounding in each before specialising. You can then continue with a broad-based approach, where you select modules in areas of interest to you. Or choose one of six specialist routes: astronomy and planetary science; biology; chemistry; earth sciences; environmental science; or physics. Your choice of specialism will be included in the name of your degree, for example, BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (Chemistry).
Learn moreBSc (Honours) Natural Sciences
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