Best Astronomy Documentary

**Strider1974** · 2006-May-24, 07:20 PM

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum and so I apologise if this subject has been done before

I am after a couple of good astronomy documentaries to watch. (for my personal entertainment)
I recently saw the first episode of "Space" narrated by Sam Neill and I was disappointed as most of the information given was things I already knew from high school. Does this series get any better?

Could someone please recommend some documentaries that are aimed at a higher level of understanding.

**ToSeek** · 2006-May-24, 09:00 PM

If you're interested in the solar system, The Planets is excellent.

Cosmos is a classic, but it casts a net wider than astronomy.

**parallaxicality** · 2006-May-24, 09:49 PM

Seconded for The Planets, even though it is a bit repetitive.

**Strider1974** · 2006-May-26, 03:14 AM

Thank you ToSeek and Parallaxicality, I will give it go.

**JonClarke** · 2006-May-26, 09:00 AM

The Planets is absolutely awesome! I love the fact that full crdit is given to the Russian missions to the Moon and Venus in the series. Generally better than Cosmos in some ways (which was still very good) which suffered a bit from being a bit too much Sagan personal views on life, the universe, and everything.

Jon

**BISMARCK** · 2006-Jun-02, 10:49 PM

Cosmos is the gold standard of perfected television.

**TheOncomingStorm** · 2006-Jun-03, 03:28 AM

Stephen hawkings universe was good too the only line I remember is hawking in the beginning "I have sold more books on physics then madonna has had on sex"

**JonClarke** · 2006-Jun-03, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by BISMARCK

Cosmos is the gold standard of perfected television.

In that case The Planets are platinum. Cosmos sufferred somethimes from too broad a sweep and too much of Sagan at times irritating POV.

Jon

**Strider1974** · 2006-Jun-15, 06:21 AM

I have now watched the first 4 episodes of Cosmos and I am enjoying it immensely - cheers again for the suggestion.

Based on the comments above I am really looking forward to getting hold of a copy of The Planets

**parallaxicality** · 2006-Sep-10, 02:55 PM

Sorry to bump this up but I've been reading Amazon reviews of The Planets and apparently, as per usual with American translations of BBC documentaries, the American dub of the narration is dumbed down. Try and get ahold of the original region 2 version. It is cheaper too.

A lot of people on Amazon seemed to think that The Planets was scientifically deficient. I'm only a layman but I found it very informative, particularly on the historical side of things. Any astronomers care to comment?

**Dave Mitsky** · 2006-Sep-10, 03:42 PM

Many of the PBS Nova astronomy programs are excellent.

Dave Mitsky

**Launch window** · 2006-Sep-10, 04:21 PM

The 'NASA: 50 Years of Exploration' was a good one and 'Complete Cosmos' narrated by Jon Snow was pretty good

**Chip** · 2006-Sep-11, 09:35 PM

"Mysteries of Deep Space" was a superbly done, three-part documentary that appeared on PBS stations in 1997. Its still quite informative and enjoyable, with stunning visuals, interviews with scientists and clever ways of explaining phenomenon, (including a funny segment featuring none other than Bruce Campbell.)

Website for the show.

**Jim** · 2006-Sep-11, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by parallaxicality

A lot of people on Amazon seemed to think that The Planets was scientifically deficient.

I don't know about "deficient" but I understand it's about 11% too long now.

(Think about it, do the math...)

**Roy Batty** · 2006-Sep-11, 10:24 PM

**parallaxicality** · 2007-Oct-29, 03:36 PM

**KaiYeves** · 2007-Oct-30, 01:12 AM

Cosmos is a classic, but it casts a net wider than astronomy.

But that's why I liked the book. When a teacher came by and asked me "What's that book about?"
It took me a minute to think of
"Well, a lot of things. Space, mainly, but a lot of history and jokes and other good stuff, too."
I asked for the series for Christmas. I'll have to be really good. If I've offended anyone here, I appologize in advance.

**laurele** · 2007-Oct-30, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jim

I don't know about "deficient" but I understand it's about 11% too long now.

(Think about it, do the math...)

It's only 11 percent too long for those who accept a very controversial decision by 424 people. For some of us, it's actually too short (i.e., those of us who see Eris and potentially Ceres and some of the other large KBOs as planets too).

**Romanus** · 2007-Nov-04, 08:02 PM

There was one program I saw on TLC some years ago that I truly wish I could see again, about the possibilities of extraterrestrial life and interstellar travel. Since they aired it back in the days when TLC actually showed science programs instead of "Trading Spaces" and "What Not To Wear", I don't have high hopes of either seeing it again or finding out the title.

For programs I do know the title of, I recommend PBS's "The Astronomers", though it really is more about modern astronomy itself than about any single astronomical subject.

**janx87** · 2009-May-20, 09:13 AM

Sorry for reviving a three year old post, but I found lots of streaming ones!

Try this page with lots of astronomy documentaries

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