Ancient Skies
Discover how centuries of knowledge, experimentation and engineering helped our ancestors understand the mysteries of space. Expert contributors decode astronomical myths and uncover the science behind their origins.
CLIPS (10)
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S1 E3: The Universe is ExpandingGeorges Lemaître, Belgian priest and astronomer, used Albert Einstein's ...Georges Lemaître, Belgian priest and astronomer, used Albert Einstein's equations from the Theory of General Relativity to propose that the universe is expanding. -
S1 E3: Cannon Shot to the MoonHear Jules Verne's story of an American Gun Club, which shot a projectile ...Hear Jules Verne's story of an American Gun Club, which shot a projectile containing three men to the moon, from a giant cannon. -
S1 E3: The Marine ChronometerTake a closer look at John Harrison's Marine Chronometer, the device that solved ...Take a closer look at John Harrison's Marine Chronometer, the device that solved the longitude problem. -
S1 E3: Shattering the SpheresDanish Astronomer Tycho Brahe's observations of the Great Comet of 1577 overturn ...Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe's observations of the Great Comet of 1577 overturn 1,500 years of scientific belief when he uses them to prove that planets do not orbit inside concentric crystalline ... -
S1 E2: Galileo's DiscoveriesTake an in depth look at the celestial bodies discovered by Italian Renaissance ...Take an in depth look at the celestial bodies discovered by Italian Renaissance astronomer Galileo Galilei, as he used his telescopes to look further into space than anyone had ever seen before. -
S1 E2: Earth-Centered CosmosExplore ancient astronomer Ptolemy's model of the cosmos, which placed the Earth ...Explore ancient astronomer Ptolemy's model of the cosmos, which placed the Earth at the center of everything. -
S1 E2: The Edge of the WorldExplore the ancient Greek myth of Odysseus, who encountered Scylla and Charybdis ...Explore the ancient Greek myth of Odysseus, who encountered Scylla and Charybdis as he sailed toward the edge of the known world. -
S1 E1: The Story of IcarusAncient Skies recounts the Ancient Greek myth of Icarus, who flew too close to ...Ancient Skies recounts the Ancient Greek myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, through detailed animation. -
S1 E1: Celestial AlignmentAstronomer Phil Plait explains how ancient civilizations used the skies to ...Astronomer Phil Plait explains how ancient civilizations used the skies to accurately align their buildings to the points of the compass. -
S1 E1: The Enuma ElisGet a glimpse into the Enuma Elis, the Babylonian myth that is the earliest ...Get a glimpse into the Enuma Elis, the Babylonian myth that is the earliest surviving complete creation story.
