Monday, March 10, 2014

National Geographic Channel's New TV Series "COSMOS: A Space-Time Odyssey" Redefines the Universe



Man has always wanted to go to space. We just have limited means to do it. For many of us, space travel will always remain a dream. But thanks to science and technology, it is now possible to take a peek outside the Earth and the galaxy it belongs to. 


This March, don't fail to catch a new series on the National Geographic Channel (NGC) and FOX. COSMOS: A Space-Time Odyssey is bound to change the way humans think of astronomical events and our place in the universe. It will bring you inside our Milky Way and beyond. 

This fascinating new series is actually the long-awaited sequel to the landmark series COSMOS: A Personal Voyage, written and hosted by renowned space visionary Carl Sagan in the 1980's. In the new show, viewers will witness stories on how people developed their concept of the laws of nature and where we fit in it. 


The show offers a grand view of the cosmos while humans continue their pursuit of knowledge and the ever-expanding boundaries of astrophysics. It reinvents some elements of the original series such as the Cosmic Calendar and the Ship of the Imagination -- which I both found very, very interesting. I like how the universe's evolution was documented on a symbolic calendar spanning twelve months as it made it easier to grasp the concept of time without having to deal so much with the overwhelming periods of millions to trillions of years.

The Ship of the Imagination, on the other hand, reminded me of a novel I've read when I was still in grade school about humans who were able to reach another world where they eventually settled. It's hard not to dream that maybe someday, man would really be able to go further into, or even beyond, our galaxy.


COSMOS uses new modes of scientific storytelling to better share and explain the ideas that helped build man's identity within the vastness of space. It expands scientific discoveries in the fields of astrophysics and cosmology to help us appreciate more how truly grand the universe is.

This TV event was spearheaded by Seth MacFarlane, creator of the animated series Family Guy, who happens to be an enthusiast of astronomy and astrophysics. He teamed up with Ann Druyan and Steven Soter, Sagan's collaborators on the original COSMOS, to make certain that this updated version stays true to Sagan's vision while also revealing new insights about this universe we live in.


COSMOS: A Space-Time Odyssey is hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of New York Times bestsellers Death by Black Hole and Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier. Watch out for his anecdote about meeting Sagan when he was still a young boy. That is quite inspiring. Tyson will help you understand better the most profound secrets of the universe in the simplest terms while remaining a firm and credible authority over everything he's talking about.

NGC and FOX aired COSMOS: A Space-Time Odyssey simultaneously in the US because they are confident it would become as celebrated as the Emmy Award and Peabody Award winning series from the '80s. This rare occurrence will happen again here in Asia so that it will reach a far wider audience and inspire a whole new generation of future astrophysicists.


So remember to tune in to NGC or FOX this March 12 at 10PM and witness this groundbreaking television event!


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