Cosmos
Astronomer Dr. Carl Sagan is host and narrator of this 13-hour series that originally aired on Public Broadcasting Stations in the United States. Dr. Sagan describes the universe in a way that appeals to a mass audience, by using Earth as a reference point, by speaking in terms intelligible to non-scientific people, by relating the exploration of space to that of the Earth by pioneers of old, and by citing such Earth legends as the Library of Alexandria as metaphors for space-related future events. Among Dr. Sagan's favorite topics are the origins of life, the search for life on Mars, the infernal composition of the atmosphere of Venus and a warning about a similar effect taking place on Earth due to global pollution and the "greenhouse effect", the lives of stars, interstellar travel and the effects of attaining the speed of light, the danger of mankind technologically self-destructing, and the search, using radio technology, for intelligent life in deep space.
- 1980-1980
- 1 season
- PBS
- Documentary
- TV-PG
Astronomer Dr. Carl Sagan is host and narrator of this 13-hour series that originally aired on Public Broadcasting Stations in the United States. Dr. Sagan describes the universe in a way that appeals to a mass audience, by using Earth as a reference point, by speaking in terms intelligible to non-scientific people, by relating the exploration of space to that of the Earth by pioneers of old, and by citing such Earth legends as the Library of Alexandria as metaphors for space-related future events. Among Dr. Sagan's favorite topics are the origins of life, the search for life on Mars, the infernal composition of the atmosphere of Venus and a warning about a similar effect taking place on Earth due to global pollution and the "greenhouse effect", the lives of stars, interstellar travel and the effects of attaining the speed of light, the danger of mankind technologically self-destructing, and the search, using radio technology, for intelligent life in deep space.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1980
Episode 1
The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean
Sun, Sep 28, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan opens the program with a description of the cosmos and the Spaceship of the Imagination. The ship journeys through the universe's hundred billion galaxies, the Local Group, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way, the Orion Nebula, our Solar System, and finally the planet Earth. Eratosthenes' successful calculation of the circumference of Earth leads to a description of the ancient Library of Alexandria. Finally, the Ages of Science are described, before pulling back to the full span of the Cosmic Calendar.
Episode 2
One Voice in the Cosmic Fugue
Sun, Oct 5, 1980 60 mins
Sagan discusses the story of the Heike crab and artificial selection of crabs resembling samurai warriors, as an opening into a larger discussion of evolution through natural selection, and the pitfalls of intelligent design. Among the topics are the development of life on the Cosmic Calendar and the Cambrian explosion, the function of DNA in growth, genetic replication, repairs, and mutation, the common biochemistry of terrestrial organisms, the creation of the molecules of life in the Miller-Urey experiment, and speculation on alien life, such as life in Jupiter's clouds.
Episode 3
Harmony of the Worlds
Sun, Oct 12, 1980 60 mins
Beginning with the separation of the fuzzy thinking and pious fraud of astrology from the careful observations of astronomy, Sagan follows the development of astronomical observation. Beginning with constellations and ceremonial calendars (such as those of the Anasazi), the story moves to the debate between Earth and Sun-centered models: Ptolemy and the geocentric worldview, Copernicus' theory, the data-gathering of Tycho Brahe, and the achievements of Johannes Kepler (Kepler's laws of planetary motion and the first science-fiction novel).
Episode 4
Heaven and Hell
Sun, Oct 19, 1980 60 mins
Sagan discusses comets and asteroids as planetary impactors, giving recent examples of the Tunguska event and a lunar impact described by Canterbury monks in 1178. It moves to a description of the environment of Venus, from the previous fantastic theories of people such as Immanuel Velikovsky to the information gained by the Venera landers and its implications for Earth's greenhouse effect. The Cosmos Update highlights the connection to global warming.
Episode 5
Blues for a Red Planet
Sun, Oct 26, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan looks at the search for life on Mars from the speculations of Percival Lowell and H.G. Wells to the arrival of the Viking probes.
Episode 6
Travellers' Tales
Mon, Nov 3, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan looks at the planets Jupiter and Saturn by examining the work of Galileo, Huygens, and the Voyager probes.
Episode 7
The Backbone of Night
Tue, Nov 11, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan looks at the work of ancient Greek scientists and astronomers including Thales, Anaximander, Democritus, and Pythagoras.
Episode 8
Journeys in Space and Time
Wed, Nov 19, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan explains scientific concepts like relativity and examines the possibility of time travel.
Episode 9
The Lives of the Stars
Tue, Nov 25, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan examines the life cycle of stars from their creation to their deaths.
Episode 10
The Edge of Forever
Sat, Dec 6, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan focuses on the origin of the universe by discussing the Big Bang, Galaxies, Dimensions, and the expansion of the universe.
Episode 11
The Persistence of Memory
Fri, Dec 12, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan examines life on earth discussing genes, DNA, the brain, and human social development.
Episode 12
Encyclopaedia Galactica
Sat, Dec 20, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan examines the possibility extraterrestrial life and discusses his skepticism about UFOs.
Episode 13
Who Speaks for Earth?
Sun, Dec 21, 1980 60 mins
Carl Sagan considers the significance of science and discuss the importance of human survival in the nuclear age.
