An overview of our place in the universe

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Screen Caption

MANILA, Philippines – That the universe goes way beyond the solar system humans know of, and that the Milky Way is just one of the thousands of galaxies existing in the Universe – these among other things – were the highlights of the pilot episode of the much-anticipated documentary series “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”.

Produced by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane and hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” attempts to showcase not just the vastness of the outer space but also, the minute span of human existence versus the actual age of the cosmos. And while it remains in line with its prequel, the 1980 landmark series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage” co-written and hosted by the late astrophysicist and cosmologist Carl Sagan, it also offers a tint of entertainment – something you would definitely expect from a MacFarlane-Tyson team up.

The first episode of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” brings to frame that familiar Ship of Imagination. The ship which first contained Sagan some 34 years ago is now set to travel anew. From clusters to galaxies to the solar system to the Earth’s neighboring planets – the Ship of Imagination takes the “in case you missed it” review to an entirely different level as it provides viewers an almost true-to-life vision of these celestial bodies.

But apart from the awe-inspiring tour in the starry universe, Cosmos enthusiasts and new fans alike will also be treated to an animated narrative that features the life and the struggles of the 16^th Century astronomer Giordano Bruno in “A Spacetime Odyssey”. This part of the documentary – you could say – is a bold move as it touches the incessant collision between religion and science. All these and more are what’s in store for everyone who has been looking forward to this revamped version of Sagan’s Cosmos.

In an explanation articulated in a layman’s set of terms, viewers will learn that “we are made of star-stuff” and that “planets are plentiful, they outnumber the stars.”

To those who find these lines fascinating enough, catch the entire pilot episode of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” for yourself. Asia will see the first of the 13-episode documentary on a simultaneous telecast by FOX and the National Geographic Channel on March 12, Wednesday, at 10:00PM. For more details on this, visit natgeotv.com or foxinternationalchannels.com.