NOVA - Origins

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Starring: Neil Degrasse Tyson
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Alice Harper
Studio: WGBH Boston
Release Date: 2004-12-07
Running Time: 240 minutes
Number of Items: 2
Who would have predicted that a hot spot left over from the Big Bang would eventually lead to our galaxy the solar system the Earth -- and to us? Origins explore how the universe and our planet began amid chaos and eventually gave birth to the first stirrings of life.Join cutting edge scientists on a voyage deep into the Earth with a space probe designed to capture the earliest observable snapshot of the Big Bang. Then watch as astronomers test an ingenious new way to detect distant planets that may harbor life and discover that every atom in our bodies and practically every bit of matter in the earth was made in the heart of stars.Hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (shown) Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History Origins Presents Starling new findings that attempt to explain just how Earth life and the universe all began.System Requirements: Running Time 240 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 783421380394 Manufacturer No: WG38039

A COSMOS copy?
Maybe I was spoiled by Sagan's COSMOS that was produced 30 years ago, but this video really didn't impress me. I found the host somewhat distracting and a little bit of a ham in the way he presented things. As for the content, very little of it is anything new. Like one other reviewer said, a lot was missing from this video (and I haven't even read the book). They could have used some of the time they "wasted" on the anecdotal details of discovery to include more material. Most of the stuff in the video are things that we've known for a long time, with one or two newish ideas. I would recommend watching this if you can catch it on TV, and maybe as a purchase if you can get it for just a few $$.

Origins
There are two DVD's the first is outstanding the second is not nearly as great. However, I'm really glad I purchased this DVD..

Expanding your mind with the Universe
This four-part Nova series is an engrossing and exciting learning experience. Scientists, geologists, astronomers and astro-psysicists show how to surmise our origins from the big bang, galaxies, black holes, pulsating stars, elements, planets with life and then the one celled bacteria, dna, and from that creatures of higher intelligence and curiosity.

One interesting item among many is why we study the comets and asteroids so much. It finally became clear how important they are to life on earth -both creating and changing. Creation of life and and extinctions were described much faster than imagined. The new theory on the moon's creation is fascinating - we now have moon rocks to verify part of the theory.

It is beautifully animated, written and described for a layman and each series a logical progression. How life began - and the recipe are in this series. The ultimate in wonder and easily understood by most from 10 years to 100 years. How we came to be is deeply interesting and a miracle.

A must see.

MUST for everyone
Excellent introduction to the origins of life and universe. Must for all.

At fantastic look at the evolution of earth and its place in the Universe!
The NOVA four-part series, Origins, is the perfect gift for a lay person who's interested in the evolution of earth and its unique place in the Universe. I found myself totally engrossed in the development of our planet, learning things that I never knew. I had no idea that our moon was created when another planet struck earth billions of years ago, or that the oceans on our planet were actually formed from the ice on comets that hit earth during its formative years. I didn't know that life on our planet began from the microbes that came here attached to the comets and astroids that struck earth. I didn't know that it was because of having a planet the size of Jupiter in our solar system that we were actually shielded from the vast majority of destructive astroids that travelled through our system. This enabled life on earth to continue without too many major interruptions. I didn't know that scientists have already discovered other solar systems within our galaxy that have planets and the possibility of life. And, these are just a few of the things discussed by Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson as the host and narrator of Origins. This is a show with a wealth of information geared to people of all ages with an acute interest in our planet and the universe. The only complaint I have is that some of the computer animations were showed over and over again, especially in Parts 1 & 2. Other than that, Origins is an excellent series that teaches the viewer about astronomy, biology and geology in a way thats informative and highly entertaining and never boring! A great gift for kids who are just getting started in their quest to understand the origins of life.