Product Details

• Actors: Understanding the Universe
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Family Home Ent
• DVD Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005BIFZ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,962 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Documentary > Space Exploration

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Join astronomers and astrophysicists as they probe light years beyond the Milky Way, in Understanding The Universe, part of TLC's popular television series. Narrated by actress Candice Bergen, This enriching and entertaining video employs graphic models and spectacular computer animation to illustrate some of the most complex theories of all time. Peer through the largest telescopes on Earth. Get a close-up look at our sun, nebulas and supernovas, capture by the Hubble Space Telescope. Listen via satellite to echoes of the Big Bang. See how "red Shift" among the stars suggests that our universe if much younger than previously thought. Visit the set of Star Trek: Voyager and ponder the questions, could black holes be "worm holes," or shortcuts to other worlds? Understanding the Universe boldly goes where no television show has gone before.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, April 2, 2003

By A Customer

For me, someone that doesn't have a science background and is not well read on the topic of the universe, this movie is very interesting and informative. The movie does an excellent job painting a picture of the size (unbelievable) and nature of the universe. Each of the specialist on the tape explain their theories in layman's terms with very familiar examples. Without it, the theories and numbers would be just too difficult to comprehend. The movie raises many interesting questions and presents a startling contradiction in theories regarding the age of the universe; one that could possibly be answered in our lifetime. Of course, there are more questions than answers, but that is to be expected. The explanation, spoken and demonstrated, of a black hole was very interesting. All topics are well presented and I enjoyed the tape very much. My only regret is that it was not longer (50 minutes). Worth checking out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the Universe- a journey into the unknown, February 13, 2006

By	Joseph C. Taylor (Central California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Understanding the Universe is an excellent primer for older students (Junior in High School and above with directed interests in Astronomy, yet without a large knowledge foundation. This DVD presents an extraordinarily simple, yet powerful comparison for novice students regarding the size of our solar system and of our universe the concept of light years, and the history of early astromony. The idea of a growing universe introduces the concept of the big bang. Red shift and blue shift are clearly delineated.

The video introduces the concept of the use of different lights from the electromagnetic spectrum (X-ray, infrared, radio waves, etc) as a means of studying those astronomical wonders in other than visible light.

A fascinating segment about the missing matter of the universe and its strange manifestation in the universe will tantalize your honors and other students who have an abiding interest in astronomy.

The last segment of the video contains a fascinating segment on Star Trek and the laws of the universe according to Star Trek. Students see the actors and learn about the science advisors of the show and their role in keeping the laws of physics consistent with reality.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for science geeks, March 12, 2008

By	RL (California) - See all my reviews

I got this DVD to learn more about a subject that fascinates me. It's well made and interesting, though a bit outdated, at this point.