From the mysteries of our own solar system those that surround unexplored galaxies, history and science collide in this ambitious investigation of the Universe.
Questions about the Universe have consumed man since the dawn of time. In the 50 years since humans made their first tentative explorations of space, we have increased our knowledge of the cosmos dramatically, using powerful telescopes, robotic probes, and manned missions. But only recently has computer technology allowed scientists to illustrate in stunning detail their awe-inspiring conclusions. THE UNIVERSE, a groundbreaking series from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®, employs cutting-edge computer-generated imagery to bring distant planets and faraway stars up close, allowing viewers to gaze at black holes and comets, and witness the births and deaths of galaxies and solar systems.
This epic miniseries takes viewers on an exhilarating voyage through the cosmos. From the farthest reaches of distant galaxies back to the familiar face of our moon, THE UNIVERSE brings the mysteries of the heavens down to earth. The sky and outer space have fascinated man for centuries and the History Channel’s series The Universe is the story of man’s study of the cosmos from his earliest attempts to map and understand the heavens through modern day scientific studies, advances, and theories. A mix of historical footage, modern space imaging, and conceptual computer graphics presented in high-definition, the visual component of this production is absolutely breathtaking. Each of the 13 44-minute episodes begins with a general introduction of subjects ranging from the sun to individual planets, alien galaxies, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and scientific theories like the Big Bang. Each topic is then broken down into a series of segments that detail specific ideas, theories, or components integral to the understanding of the main topic as well as historical material, current studies and theories, and projections of potential future events and scientific advances. The 90-minute “Beyond the Big Bang” feature relates “the story of everything”–from the universe’s formation following the “Big Bang” to its eventual projected demise from unchecked expansion dubbed the “Big Rip.” Leading experts from universities and scientific institutions around the world do a great job of taking very complex subjects like galaxies with spiral density arms and relating them to easily graspable concepts like a city with a downtown core surrounded by suburbs and plagued by freeway traffic jams. Amazing photographs from the Hubble space telescope, infrared views from the Spitzer space telescope, and x-ray images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory augment understanding as do demonstrations of modern science’s ability to simulate historical events like the formation of earth and to project future cosmic events. The Universe is a fascinating and understandable study of space that speaks to viewers ranging from the generally curious to the serious student of cosmology. –Tami Horiuchi
Buy “The Universe – The Complete Season One “ For Only $14.43
April 9, 2008
#1
Good coverage of mainstream scientific facts and theories. Graphics are superb. But, are the only people in the sciences women, blacks and asians? Virtually all of the scientists shown were women — with a sprinkling of black men and some asians, too. I think I saw one white man and then, of course, the narration was by a man. So, some slip through, I see.
Don’t you see that when people who produce videos are SO politically correct that we have to have doubts about the rest of the production’s integrity….
National Geographic and the History channel are becoming nauseating in their heavy handed introduction of politics into everything they touch.
Grow up.
April 9, 2008
#2
The DVD is nice, but it was suposed to have an Spanish audio chanel, that doesn t exist!!!!! Mi son will miss it
April 9, 2008
#3
I enjoyed this series in spite of some of the shortcomings mentioned in other reviews.
What I didn’t enjoy is the fact that the DVD set was designed by people who haven’t a clue.
“Back in the day,” when they sold square TVs and widescreen TVs were cool as opposed to commonplace, DVD manufacturers handled widescreen content in a number of ways. These days, there is only one way: anamorphic. It is native to today’s TVs and doesn’t reduce the picture to 4:3 that will eventually be stretched by your TV’s settings.
“Anamorphic” may mean nothing to you, but it is the standard for the industry and has been for the better part of this decade. Whatever MORONS produced this set ignored this fact and designed the discs for square TVs, which is to say it is letterboxed, not anamorphic. Totally wrong.
Episodic TV is usually presented with chapter breaks, as this series was. The more enlightened DVD producers include a “play all” option that allows the viewer to watch all the episodes on a disc without remote control intervention. An option for the lazy man, I agree, but a popular one and, perhaps, the standard.
The MORONS who produced this series put the “play all” option in the chapter break menu: this is NEVER done. Why would I need to make a separate selection to view the whole episode?? Have you EVER needed to do that? I didn’t think so.
Rent this set and and enjoy. Do not reward MORONS by buying this set.
April 9, 2008
#4
El DVD viene en formato 4:3 y no 16:9 como están grabados los programas, la calidad no es tan buena como se esperaba.
El pack si bien dice en Amazon que tiene subtitulos en español no trae nada ni siquiera CC para inglés.
April 9, 2008
#5
If you’re looking for educational science programming, this is a very poor example. The writing is merely a series of factoids, but there is virtually nothing that educates about science or history, and in many cases the program presents incorrect information. Don’t waste your time or your money with this series.
A vastly superior series is the “The Planets” produced by the BBC in 1998. Although it is quite old now, Carl Sagan’s series “Cosmos” is also much more educational about science and history.