By Amjad P. Zaidi
“Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” beams onto our
television screens on March 9 across 10 U.S. networks,
including FOX and National Geographic Channel, with
a multi-network simulcast in the United States.
Global releases will follow shortly after on National
Geographic and FOX branded channels in 180
countries within a week of the U.S. premiere.
Fronted by famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson,
the show brings aboard new producer Seth McFarlane,
and reunites writers/producers Ann Druyan and Steven
Soter who worked with Carl Sagan on the original
“Cosmos: A Personal Journey”. Many more heralded
creative talents have worked on creating the all new
“Cosmos” for science hungry 21st century audiences.
Following are teaser synopses of the incredible voyage
that awaits us. It’s time to get going again…
All images by Fox Broadcasting, except where noted.
SPOILERS ALERT!
Do not continue reading if you would prefer to stay in the dark about the content of each episode.
Episode 01: STANDING UP IN THE MILKY WAY
The iconic Ship Of The Imagination, once piloted by
Dr. Carl Sagan has been refitted for a new 21st century
voyage across space and time. Its shining legacy has
been handed to an old student of Sagan’s, Dr Neil
deGrasse Tyson, who takes us – the next generation –
,on our first steps; a journey to discover our coordinates
in space.
As we set sail for the stars a Window
on the Past opens in the floor of our
ship and we explore Italy’s Renaissance
period meeting Giordano Bruno. A friar
and scholar, Bruno first glimpsed the true
nature of the Cosmos, but in his time
conveying these heretic ideas publicly
was dangerous. They even invited death
by execution. We learn how his sacrifice,
zeal for truth, and zero tolerance for
poor evidence and lack of scientific
rigour have inspired the generations of
scientists who followed him.
Neil continues our voyage and
establishes our place in time. On a vast
Cosmic Calendar, he shows us that each
“month” from January to December
represents more than a billion years. As we walk through
our cosmic history, we discover that in the last seconds
of December 31st, humans appear on this epic stage.
As we learn about the generations of truth seekers,
we find that this community of minds stretches back to
antiquity, and forward to the stars.
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