The Universe - The Complete Season Two (History) (Steelbook)

Product Details

The 18 episodes from Season Two cover an appropriately wide range of topics, from "Cosmic Holes" to "Cosmic Collisions," from supernovas to gravity. There are episodes about the weather in space, the largest objects in space (hint: theyre really, really big, like the so-called "cosmic web" of galaxies, which is a hundred million billion times bigger than Earth), and traveling to and colonizing space. The amount of information and data provided is enormous. Jargon abounds, including terms like "lunar transient phenomena," "pulsar planets," "hot Jupiters," "dark matter" and "dark energy," "collisional families," the "heavy bombardment period," and many, many more. And the numbers are mind-boggling: for instance, its estimated that the impact of the asteroid that landed on the Yucatan Peninsula some 65 million years ago, wiping out the dinosaurs, was equal to that of dropping a Hiroshima-sized atomic bomb every second for 140 years! Still, some may find the episodes that involve informed speculation more interesting than those that deal in facts. We know that the Moon affects ocean tides, but does it also have an effect on human behavior? If the Big Bang was the beginning of the universe, what came before it? Instead of using rockets to go to space, can scientists actually build a "space elevator" that will reach from an orbiting satellite some 60 thousand miles down to Earth? All of this is delivered by way of very convincing computer-generated imagery and other effects, along with dozens of interviews with astronomers and other experts, photos, film footage, and so on. Best of all, while it can get a bit dense, technically speaking, by and large The Universe will be readily accessible to most viewers. --Sam Graham

Product Reviews

(1 stars) - Music and graphics are too loud and fast
I have to agree with the other reviewers on these Universe sets, however Season 1 was enjoyable to watch and we all learned a lot. In these series, yes, they have interesting parts embedded in the LOUD music and flashy graphics and they need appropriate BACKGROUND music and SUBTITLES -- graphics need to be less fast paced so that they viewer can enjoy parts of the galaxy. Perhaps produce a 5-10 minute fast and loud version as an extra for each disk. Some of the analogies (fast cars, jumps off cliffs or into caves, etc.) are difficult for foreign people to understand, but I realize that the History channel is for the general public and probably they are trying to keep everyone awake. Still, one hopes for something of BBC quality for this type of series. Perhaps with DVD technology these days they could have a selection for background music-- classical, heavy metal, country, jazz.

(5 stars) - wonderful!
If you THIRST for info on our cosmos and love the RIDE through computer graphics, this is just what you are looking for. Detailed and and beautiful and FUN! The scientists were great. The music gets a little intense for me at times but OH WELL, I wouldnt have missed it. It is amazing to me that we are part of something so vast, and I could see the same amazement in the wonderful scientists that they interviewed!

(5 stars) - Outstanding TV series!
Very informative, educational, interesting, and fun! The special effects and great narrative performance makes this show my favorite. This is by far the best TV series I have ever seen. I have watch every episode multiple times. Another great thing about this show is that it includes some of the greatest physicist of today, such as Michio Kaku. I highly recommended anybody who is even slightest interested in the final frontier to add this DVD set to their collection.

(5 stars) - Excellet Series
I've bought all 3 seasons and totally enjoy everyone of them. You can see the graphics and visuals improve with each season. The information contained is presented in an entertaining and informative way.

(4 stars) - The Best Space Documentary - but for how long?
This documentary is phenomenal!
The visuals look very realistic!
I wish they used more actual footage.

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