I just got through watching the four-episode "Origins" series on PBS's show NOVA (not to be confused with NOVA, as in Northern Virginia Community College!). Hosted by the genial and enthusiastic director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson, the series explores how the Earth came to be, how life evolved, whether we're alone in the Universe, and evidence for the Big Bang. It's pretty comprehensive for just four hours of watching, and quite well produced. The graphics are excellent, and they offer casual interviews with top scientists like Frank Drake and Andy Knoll. The series is out on DVD, and I got it through Netflix, though it looks like PBS is going to keep broadcasting it in the future. Recommended!

Labels: astronomy, tv