The Expanding Universe: The Big Bang

Originally broadcast on TLC, this episode in World Almanac Video's The Expanding Universe series helps explain "when the clock started ticking," cosmology-wise, and ponders the universe's ultimate fate. Viewers will trace the Big Bang theory, originally advanced in 1964; discover how far back in space and time science can currently look (about 90% of the way back to the universe's origins); examine the contributions of Newton, Einstein, and Hubble in relation to the formation of the theory; learn how gravity and "dark matter" play a significant role in the universe's expansion; and, finally, hear speculation about how the universe might end (quite possibly from dissipation into nothingness, but not until 5 billion years from now just for our own solar system). Via scientific experts, archival footage, photos from Hubble, lots and lots of colorful, swirling graphics, and music overblown enough to suit the topic, we discover that "the shape of our universe--everything we see around us--was determined when the universe was smaller than an atom and only a fraction of a second old." The Big Bang concepts are fairly well explained, though a more detailed treatment of the actual physics behind the continually expanding universe would have been appreciated, as well as a less scattered approach to the topic. Still, the tape presents a viewer-friendly discussion of these very complex principles, placing them in their historical and scientific contexts. Definitely recommended. The other titles in the series are: The Sun and Other Stars, The Planets, and Searching for Other Life Forms, priced at $29.95 each or $99.95 for the 4-tape set. Aud: J, H, C, P. (K. Glaser)