This is an very interesting documentary hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. It explores in simple language the origin of the Universe and Earth. It also explores the forming of galaxies, stars, solar systems, life and much more. These subjects have interested me since I was a kid. It is always a pleasure to watch Tyson explain things to you and I couldn't find anything wrong or disappointing in this show. I bought it recently on DVD an it is was worth every penny. It has four, one-hour, episodes ('Earth Is Born', 'How Life Began', 'Where Are The Aliens?' and 'Back To The Beginning'). You can watch one episode at the PBS/NOVA website. Highly recommended.
2 Reviews
Interesting but unsatisfying.
Blueghost12 July 2017
"Where are the Aliens" never really gets into the question of where are the aliens, but explores a number of factors that gave rise to intelligence here on Earth, and, given those factors, how likely intelligence is rise on other worlds.
But again, the show never really goes into the fullness of the question. I think a better NOVA episode might have been to look at other worlds in our system and explain why life didn't arise there, and look at extra-solar based on that reasoning.
The scientists talk about things like DNA, but only briefly touch on how something other than DNA might also give rise to life. Drake himself is interviewed and is queried some about his famous Drake equation, and some of the aspects of the Drake equation are looked at, but again the show doesn't give a thorough explanation of everything that someone might want to know about why we haven't detected life (much less intelligent life) outside our planet. Like a lot of NOVA episodes the show is interesting for what it is, but the content within doesn't live up to the billing in my opinion.
Take a look and see what you think. There are actually a few other documentaries that explore this same question, including one called Alien Planet which postulates our efforts of finding a world with bizarre life forms on it. I'm just sorry NOVA couldn't go in that direction.
See it once.
But again, the show never really goes into the fullness of the question. I think a better NOVA episode might have been to look at other worlds in our system and explain why life didn't arise there, and look at extra-solar based on that reasoning.
The scientists talk about things like DNA, but only briefly touch on how something other than DNA might also give rise to life. Drake himself is interviewed and is queried some about his famous Drake equation, and some of the aspects of the Drake equation are looked at, but again the show doesn't give a thorough explanation of everything that someone might want to know about why we haven't detected life (much less intelligent life) outside our planet. Like a lot of NOVA episodes the show is interesting for what it is, but the content within doesn't live up to the billing in my opinion.
Take a look and see what you think. There are actually a few other documentaries that explore this same question, including one called Alien Planet which postulates our efforts of finding a world with bizarre life forms on it. I'm just sorry NOVA couldn't go in that direction.
See it once.
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