| Parodying Star Trek, the TV show and movies, this program's host is Captain Kent, who shares information about the sun and each planet in our solar system in an easy-to-understand and humorous way. Young children are introduced to astronomy and learn about the Earth's relationship to other bodies in the solar system. Chapter 1: The Sun - Captain Kent explains that the Sun is actually a star, and it's the largest object in our solar system. Chapter 2: Mercury - Captain Kent explains that Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, and that it takes 88 days for Mercury to orbit the Sun. Chapter 3: Venus - Captain Kent provides information about Venus, the hottest planet in our solar system. Chapter 4: Earth - Captain Kent presents information about our planet, Earth. Chapter 5: Mars - Captain Kent tells us that Mars is known as the red planet because it has a high concentration of rusted iron minerals in the rocks and soils. Chapter 6: Jupiter - Captain Kent provides information about Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Chapter 7: Saturn - Captain Kent explains the Saturn's rings are made of ice and rock. Chapter 8: Uranus - Captain Kent tells us that Uranus was the first planet discovered through a telescope. Chapter 9: Neptune - Captain Kent explains that it takes Neptune 165 years to orbit the Sun. Chapter 10: Pluto - Captain Kent provides information about Pluto, which now is known as a dwarf planet. Produced by TV Ontario. 2008 PI 15 min. |
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"Highly Recommended! This program shows the lighter side
of space flight, and how zero gravity affects such basic things as yoyos,
jacks, paper airplanes, gyroscopes, as well as basic human activities like
sleeping, eating, and moving around. With the loss of the space shuttle
'Columbia,' a program such as this is important because it shows the human
side of working and living in space, and how vital the astronauts and space
flight are to the future of the human race." -EMRO Review Astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra, one of America's original Mercury Seven astronauts, and the only one who flew in all three of the nation's pioneering space programs, Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, is the perfect host for this program that looks at the "lighter" side of space travel. Here, between important experiments and duties of the astronauts, we are treated to seeing the often zany side of life in space; where, because of the effects of zero gravity, upside down and right side up are not necessarily so and astronauts literally bounce off the walls. Produced by NASA. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. |
| Mars and Earth are brother and sister - or they were 4 billion years ago. They started life as equals, with similar atmospheres, planetary features and climates. On Earth life has flourished, but what happened to Mars? There are many people seeking the answer to that question, including paleontologist and fossil hunter, Professor Malcolm Walter, who has been enlisted by NASA. His instinct tells him the best way to study Mars is by exploring Earth - specifically, the sites of ancient hot springs. It's now suspected that hydrothermal systems were once a bubbling cauldron of emerging life forms. By studying such places, Professor Walter is able to identify similar spots on Mars, the places we are most likely to find signs of past life. It is in these locations that NASA will land the flotilla of spacecraft that it's sending to the Red Planet over the next two decades. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. Introduced by astronaut Charles "Charlie"
Duke, who was the major driver of the lunar land rover, this program
documents the two Viking Explorer missions to Mars in the 1970's, both with
actual film taken by the Rovers, as well as detailed animation and special
effects showing how the Viking probes were landed on the surface of the
planet. Some geographical and climatic information is presented. Most of the
footage was taken at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, which is
responsible for all of NASA's unmanned, scientific probes. A brief history
of the understanding and exploration of Mars is also given. A good
introduction to Mars exploration." -EMRO Review Apollo astronaut Charles "Charlie" Duke, the 10th human to walk on the moon, hosts this digitally re-mastered classic of the red planet, Mars. Here we discover how the mysteries of Mars were uncovered as NASA's Viking missions provided never-before-seen footage of the planet that astronomers spent centuries speculating about, including its canal-like markings and mountainous regions. Produced by NASA. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. |
| Sir Patrick Moore is one of the best-known and most respected astronomers in the world. For many, he is the popular face of astronomy, having presented the BBC's longest-running program, The Sky at Night, for nearly 50 years. Behind Moore's infectious enthusiasm and eccentric style lies a knowledge and passion for his subject, the Moon. In this thorough examination of the sky, Sir Patrick reviews our present knowledge of the Moon, using illustrations, diagrams, rare film archives and exclusive NASA footage of the Apollo landings, including Neil Armstrong's first walk on the lunar surface. But Moore does not stop there. Here he not only addresses important questions about the Moon that still remain for mankind, but also he guides us through ten of the most important scientific discoveries to come out of lunar research, and he summarizes the stories behind ten of the most memorable images sent back to Earth from the Apollo missions. Produced by Leading Edge Productions. 08DR JSCA 60 min. |
| Dr. Vaughn Clift develops medical technology for astronauts at NASA (National Aeronautic and Space Agency) in Houston, Texas. The bizarre conditions in space are a great stimulus to creative solutions to very unusual problems. Amongst other things, he has invented a simple way of collecting and preserving blood without the need for refrigeration. This dried-blood technology is already earning NASA billions of dollars in "spin-offs" for the medical industry. Dr. Clift shows us the sort of work he does, while taking viewers on a guided tour around the Johnson Space Center. Here we see the Space Shuttle Trainer, also the chamber where researchers are locked away for months to study recycling, and the famous "Vomit Comet," an aircraft that dives to simulate zero gravity. Dr. Clift is not only an amusing, sometimes hilarious host, but also is passionate about space. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min. |
| Astronaut Russell "Rusty" Schweickart, who traveled into space aboard Apollo 9, introduces this documentary that address the questions: what is the universe and could there be life in the universe? Appropriately narrated by actor William Shatner (Star Trek), this program goes beyond the earth, the solar system and the Milky Way, deep into the vast reaches of the cosmos. Utilizing new and archival footage, along with computer-generated animation, we see the universe evolving and developing; populated by clouds of gas and dust, red giants and white dwarfs, clusters of galaxies with billions of stars. Produced by NASA. 08DR/CL IJSCA 35 min. |
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Academy Award® -winner Orson Welles became world
famous for his1938 radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds, which
depicted monstrous life-forms from Mars invading Earth; so who could be
better than he to host this digitally re-mastered classic that offers an
investigation of extraterrestrial life and seeks answers to the questions:
Is there intelligent life on other planets, and, if yes, could they know we
exist? Welles and a number of distinguished scientists take viewers from
science fiction to science fact, offering new views of interstellar
discoveries and findings about the nature of life itself. This documentary,
which was years ahead of its time, is followed by a panel discussion that
features Dr. Carl Sagan and Dr. Ashley Montagu. Produced by
UAV, Inc. 08DR/CL JSCA 60 min. Associated Programs: Orson Welles in Italy: Rosabella (Rosebud) and The Stranger. |