* Ancient Astronomy; Clearvue/eav, Inc./ Gareth Stevens, Inc.; 1994; 11m. VHS 7410
Briefly describes beliefs of astronomers from ancient times to 1609, when Galileo’s discoveries through the telescope gave birth to modern astronomy.
* The Ascent of Man: A Personal View; Time Life Video; 1973; 13 videocassettes, each 60m. VHS 263
Examines the interrelationship of science and the humanities throughout history; the influence of social and political developments on scientific discovery; scientific attempts to understand and alter the natural world, and the role of science today.
* The Astronomers; MPI Home Video; 2002; (2 videodiscs) 5 hours, 42m. DVD 599
A look at the work and worlds of leading scientists and astronomers who are helping to unlock the mysteries of the universe.; Contents: Disc 1. Where is the rest of the universe? — Searching for black holes — A window to creation — Disc 2. Waves of the future — Stardust — Prospecting for planets.
* Aurora Explained; University of Alaska Press; 1999; 30m. VHS 8707
Scientists explain in nontechnical terms what the northern lights are, how they work, and why and when they appear where they do. Offers many views of this natural
phenomenon.
* The Biosphere; Hawkhill Video; 1997; 42m. VHS 6219
Intended to “bridge the gap between science and the humanities,” this program highlights the connections within the universe.
* Black Holes, Pulsars, and Other Odd Bodies; Cambridge Educational; 2006; 23m. DVD 4522
Introduces some of the oddest objects in space: black holes, neutron stars, quasars, and for an explosive finale, supernovas.
* Celestial Mechanics: The Distance to the Moon; Films for the Humanities & Sciences; 1989; 15m. VHS 8883
One of the major problems facing early astronomers was determining the distance to various celestial bodies, and questions regarding cosmic distance scales continue to interest space scientists today. In this program, students investigate the distance from the Earth to the Moon, measured using a clock and simple relations of mechanics and gravitation. Presents observations made over a period of days, allowing a test of celestial mechanics not otherwise easily performed within the confines of the
classroom.
* Cosmic Questions: Astronomy From Quark to Quasar; The Teaching Company; 1991; 2 videocassettes, 354m. VHS 8997
A series of 8 lectures on astronomy.
[v. 1]. Lecture 1. A tour of the universe — Lecture 2. The secrets of starlight — Lecture 3. Force and motion — Lecture 4. Life and death of stars — [v. 2]. Lecture 5. Crushed stars and strong gravity — Lecture 6. An expanding universe — Lecture 7. Mass in the universe -- Lecture 8. Will the universe expand forever?
* Death of a Star; WGBH Educational Foundation; 1987; 58m. VHS 4932
Originally broadcast on the television program NOVA. On February 23, 1987, a young Canadian astronomer witnessed a supernova—the gargantuan explosion resulting when a star blows itself apart. This program covers the fast-breaking story as astronomers from all over the world study the historic event.
* Jupiter: Saturn; Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation; 1993; 22m. VHS 4415
Jupiter is the largest planet and the fifth planet from the sun. It is 1,300 times the size of Earth with 16 moons. Saturn, like Jupiter, is mostly gas. It is surrounded by rings formed from billions of particles consisting of silica rock, iron oxide, and
ice.
* Mercury and Venus: Mars; Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation; 1993; 22m. VHS 4414
Mercury, Venus and Mars, like Earth, are solid planets and closest to the Sun. Mercury is about the size of Earth’s Moon and has no atmosphere. Venus is similar in size and density to Earth. Mars is half as big as Earth and has polar ice caps, seasons, and a tilted axis.
* 100 Greatest Discoveries; Films for the Humanities & Sciences/Discovery Education; 2005; 9 videodiscs, 450m. DVD 2546
Host Bill Nye examines eight major areas of modern science, giving history and current information. Contents: disc A. Origin and evolution of life — disc B. Earth sciences — disc C. Medicine — disc D. Physics — disc E. Astronomy — disc F. Chemistry — disc G. Genetics — disc. H. Biology — disc I. Top ten.
* Saturn’s Titan: Voyage to the Mystery Moon; WGBH Boston Video; 2006; 56m. DVD 3097
The largest moon of Saturn may help reveal how life got started on Earth and whether or not it exists on other worlds.
* A Scientific Look at the Sun; Cambridge Educational; 2006; 19m. DVD 2512
Explores the sun’s multi-layered structure and the methods by which scientists study it. Also explains various solar phenomena.
* So Many Galaxies...So Little Time; Smithsonian Institution/Heliotrope Studios, Ltd.; 1992; 40m. VHS 2881
Live action docudrama combined with computer graphics to contrast the human side of space with the grandeur of recent discoveries about the universe.
* Spaceship Earth; Hawkhill Video; 1993; 88m. VHS 5362
Intended to “bridge the gap between science and the humanities,” this program highlights the interconnections within the universe.
Contents: The universe — The biosphere — Living things — The cell — Atoms and molecules — A little while aware.
* A Brief History of Time; Paramount Home Video; 1993; 84m. VHS 2531
Explores the mysteries we've all wondered about against the backdrop of the life story of Stephen Hawking. **See also The Making of A Brief History of Time,
VHS 2532**
* Cosmos; Cosmos Studios, Inc.; 2000; (7 videodiscs) 60m./disc. DVD 2424
A complete guide for the layman to modern thinking in all areas of astronomy and cosmology. Contents: I. The shores of the cosmic ocean — II. One voice in the cosmic fugue — III. The harmony of the worlds — IV. Heaven and hell — V. Blues for a red planet — VI. Travellers’ tales — VII. The backbone of night — VIII. Travels in space and time — IX. The lives of the stars — X. The edge of forever — XI. The persistence of memory — XII. Encyclopaedia galactica — XIII. Who speaks for earth? Special features: Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan updates; subtitle science updates; new footage.
* The Creation of the Universe; PBS Home Video/Paramount Home Entertainment; 2004 92m. DVD 2255
Identifies and explains new scientific clues to the origin and evolution of the universe. Combines spectacular special effects, animation, and interviews with internationally renowned physicists.
* The Creation of the Universe: A Science Special; PBS Video/Turner Home Entertainment; 1995; 90m. VHS 7372
Using spectacular special effects, animation, computer graphics, and interviews with internationally renowned physicists, this program explores clues to the origin and evolution of the entire universe.
* Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution; WGBH Boston Video; 2004; 2 videodiscs, 240m. DVD 1439
First presented on NOVA, this four-part miniseries focuses on the beginnings of the universe, our solar system, life on Earth, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life on other planets. Offers dramatic visual representation of Earth's tumultuous history, and a clear, step-by-step explanation of the formation of planets, the development of water and living organisms, and the forces that shape other parts of our galaxy and beyond.
* Parallel Universes; Films for the Humanities & Sciences; 2004; 50m. DVD 2111
Explores the concept of the existence of parallel universes containing space, time, and exotic matter and the scientific theory that two of these parallel universes floating through space suddenly collided, creating our universe.
* Understanding the Universe; Artisan Home Entertainment; 1998; 53m. VHS 7565
Astronomers and astrophysicists probe light years beyond the Milky Way. Video employs graphic models and computer animation to illustrate some of the most complex theories of all time.
* Unfolding Universe; Films for the Humanities & Sciences; 2003; 50m. DVD 4547
In this program astronomers reconstruct the history of the universe and work to predict events to come, such as the fate of our sun and the Milky Way.
* Annie and the Stars of Many Colors: A Portrait of Astronomer Annie Jump Cannon; Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; 1993; 25m. VHS 3460
A dozen sixth-grade students visit the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to explore the childhood and career of a famous woman astronomer from Dover, Delaware who classified over 425,000 stars.
* Galileo; Cromwell Productions Limited; 1999; 47m. VHS 7385
The story of the Italian astronomer and mathematician who dared to challenge the accepted teachings of his day—Galileo’s work brought him to the attention of the Inquisition and one of history’s greatest minds was forced to work his last years under house arrest. Featuring specially-filmed dramatized depictions and rare contemporary images, this program vividly recreates Galileo’s life and work. It also includes expert commentary and interpretation by eminent historians Les Prince and Joel Roderick.
* Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens; WGBH Boston Video; 2002; 116m. VHS 8732
Originally broadcast in the television series NOVA, this dramatization of Galileo Galilei's life includes his scientific achievements and his defense of the controversial theory that the earth revolves around the sun. Also includes how letters from his illegitimate daughter, Maria Celeste, a cloistered nun, have shed new light on Galileo’s discoveries and his trial for heresy.
* Galileo’s “Dialogue”; Films for the Humanities & Sciences; 2001; 53m.; VHS 8873
A study of Galileo’s Dialogue in which he asserted that the Earth was not the center of the universe (and was subsequently jailed for heresy for contradicting the traditional teachings of the medieval Church). This video traces the background of the Dialogue, from the Copernican view that the sun is the center of the universe, to the trial of Galileo before the Holy Office. The profound conflicts between science and theology unfold in dramatic re-enactments.
* Galileo’s Sons; Bullfrog Films; 2004; 48m. DVD 1580
Examines the Vatican Observatory at the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, where Jesuit astronomers and astrophysicists apply their scientific expertise to questions of faith.
* If Copernicus Had a Computer; Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics; 1996; 56m. VHS 5916
In a lecture presented at the 1995 SIAM Annual Meeting in Charlotte, NC, Van Loan wonders if Copernicus would have been as bold a scientist if he had access to 1995 computers.
* A Sidewalk Astronomer: A Film About Astronomy, Cosmology, and John Dobson; Bullfrog Films; 2006; 55m. DVD 4280
Get to know John Dobson, inventor of the Dobsonian telescope mount, former Vedanta monk, and co-founder of Sidewalk Astronomers, an organization encouraging people to think about the Universe. The film follows John as he tours the country, with sequences on telescope making, the moon, sun, planets, galaxies, the Big Bang, and the nature of time and space. It is illustrated with footage and photos of space shot from satellites and spacecraft as well as animation courtesy of NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Hubble Space Telescope Institute.
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