The Mighty Saturn V Rocket

Today on Far Future Horizons in order to commemorate the forty-fifth anniversary of the greatest scientific and technological achievement in living memory, the Apollo 11 Moon landing, we are presenting the first episode of the highly acclaimed documentary series “Moon Machines” which documents the creation of the iconic Saturn V rocket.

Moon Machines is a Science Channel documentary miniseries of six episodes documenting the engineering challenges of the Apollo Program to land a man on the Moon. It covers everything from the iconic Saturn V to the Command Module, the Lunar Module, the Space Suits, the Guidance and Control Computer, and the Lunar Rover. It was created by the team who made In the “Shadow of the Moon” in association with NASA to commemorate the agency’s fiftieth anniversary in 2008.

A comparison of the U.S. Saturn V rocket with the Soviet N1/L3. The N1/L3 height is not shown quite in scale to the Saturn V

Lost in the Amazon - Colonel Percy Fawcett

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the acclaimed PBS documentary ‘Secrets of the Dead’ and go in search of the British explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett and fabulous lost City of Z.

In 1925 the British explorer Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett plunged into the Amazon forest in search of a lost civilization he had named the City of Z. He and the rest of his entourage were never seen again. 

The Great War ~ Episode One "Explosion"

Today on Far Future Horizons we commemorate the centenary of the incident that provided the spark that started  “The Great War” of 1914-1918, also known as the First World War , World War One and what H.G. Wells inaptly named “the war to end all wars”. In order to mark the occasion we present the first episode of the documentary series "The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century". This documentary is a joint production of the BBC, the Boston affiliate of PBS (KCET) in association with The Imperial War Museum.

This series is narrated by Dame Judi Dench and chronicles the First World War over eight episodes.

Gavrilo Princip

June 28^th, 1914 marked the one event that led to of one of the greatest conflicts of the twentieth century, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo.

The First World War was to shape the nature of modern warfare. Indeed this war would also shape the political and social landscapes of the twentieth and twenty first centuries.

The assassination on June 28, 1914 as illustrated by Achille Beltrame of the Italian newspaper Domenica del Corriere,  July 12, 1914

The Great War  (July 28^th , 1914 –  November 11^th,  1918) was the first mechanized conflict that marked the first use of chemical weapons, the first mass bombardment of civilians from the sky, and the last century's first genocide

The Great War was the first mechanized conflict that marked the first use of chemical weapons, the first mass bombardment of civilians from the sky, and the last century's first genocide.

Nazi UFO Conspiracy

Today on Far Future Horizons we look at a conspiracy claim involving flying saucers and Nazis.

Are UFOs a manifestation of terrestrial rather than extraterrestrial technology? Were Nazi scientists really behind this technology and was this technology later co-opted by the United States after Operation Paperclip for developing advanced military technology? I personally have my reservations on all this conspiracy theory nonsense but, I’ll let you be the judge.

The Terrifying Possibility of Mind Control

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the final episode of the highly acclaimed documentary series “That’s Impossible” narrated by veteran actor Jonathan Frakes, best known for his portrayal of Commander William T. Riker in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Death Rays and Energy Weapons

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the penultimate episode of the highly acclaimed documentary series “That’s Impossible” narrated by veteran actor Jonathan Frakes, best known for his portrayal of Commander William T. Riker in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The spotlight of this installment shines on the actual development of death rays and energy weapons reminiscent of those depicted in science fiction.

Fractals - The Colors of Infinity by Arthur C Clarke

Today on Far Future Horizons we embark on a voyage into the infinite of the distinctly mathematical kind with Arthur C Clarke author of “2001: A Space Odyssey” and inventor of the telecommunications satellite.

Arthur C. Clarke presents this unusual documentary on the mathematical discovery of the Mandelbrot Set (M-Set) and introduces us to the visually stunning and visually spectacular world of fractal geometry. This documentary relates the science of the M-Set to nature in a way that seems to identify the proverbial hand of God in the design of the universe itself. Dr. Benoît Mandelbrot in 1980 discovered the infinitely complex geometrical shape called the Mandelbrot Set using a very simple equation with computers and graphics.

Real Terminator Robots

Robots that think, move like humans and fight our wars. Imagine a world where Real Terminator Robots really exist and have abrogated Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

At leading universities and covert government labs, robots are now being developed in man's image; cyborgs with superhuman strength, machines that may eventually be able to make decisions, even kill on their own. But will these very robots designed to protect us ultimately turn on their masters?

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961)

Today on Far Future Horizons we have the honor of presenting Irwin Allen’s motion picture Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea released in 1961 and which later spawned the television series starring Richard Basehart and David Hedison.

In the motion picture Admiral Nelson takes the brand new atomic submarine Seaview through its paces when news arrives that the Van Allen radiation belt catches fire...

The Microscopic Universe

Today on Far Future Horizons we take an odyssey into the uncharted realm of the microverse of subatomic particles and how they might hold the key to understanding the large scale Universe. 

Worst Days on Planet Earth

Today on Far Future Horizons we look at some of the worst days that have plagued our planet during its 4.54 billion years in another exciting episode of the acclaimed documentary series The Universe.

Earth may seem like the most hospitable planet in the solar system. But look again. Startling new discoveries reveal the blue planet has been plagued by more chaos and destruction than scientists once imagined. 

The Discoverers

Today on Far Future Horizons we present  the IMAX film “The Discoverers”. This motion picture takes its inspiration from the book by Daniel J. Boorstin.  So join us as we take you on a voyage through time and space on a grand adventure of intellectual discovery.

Finding the New Earth

We are living in an age of great discovery and exploration. It took humans thousands of years to explore our own planet and centuries to comprehend the neighboring planets of our solar system.

Do We Really Need The Moon?

Today on Far Future Horizons we are proud to present the BBC documentary “Do We Really Need The Moon?” hosted by Space scientist and self confessed lunar fanatic Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello

Today on Far Future Horizons we present a short Australian animated film inspired by the fantasy writings of Edgar Alan Poe and the science fiction of Jules Verne.

The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello is a series of short animated films  set in a world styled after mid-Victorian England with Steampunk style, iron dirigibles and steam powered computers, where giant mechanical airships are the main mode of transport. The characters are animated in the style of Wayang (Indonesian shadow puppets) best described as silhouettes. The visual style of the characters is similar to that used by the 1926 film The Adventures of Prince Achmed (one of the oldest-surviving animated feature films).

Sci-Fi Science ~ Holodeck

Today on Far Future Horizons we join Dr. Michio Kaku for another exciting episode of his acclaimed television series “Sci-Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible”.

In this episode, professor Kaku is on a mission to use technology to create an imaginary world indistinguishable from the real thing. Can we use our current knowledge of physics to create the technology that will one day make possible, one of the greatest inventions to emerge from the collective imagination of science fiction, - Star Trek's Holodeck?

The Universe - Ride the Comet

Future Astronaut Exploring a Comet by Space Artist Pamela Lee From Comet by Carl Sagan and Ann Drunyan copyrighted material 1985

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another episode of the acclaimed documentary series The Universe and hitch a ride on a comet following its path as it traverses the solar system. 

What if we make Alien Contact?

Today on Far Future Calling we present a documentary that appeared on the Discovery Channel a couple of years ago in the series  “What if….?”.

This documentary was produced in the year 2003. It is a retrospective on the events following the discovery of an alien signal detected by the SETI Institute in the year 2001 and explores how our first contact influences human society.

This is a documentary well worth watching and is full of interesting surprises.

The Ancient World: Hypatia and Alexandria

Today on Far Future Horizons we present a new documentary series about classical antiquity hosted by Brittany Hughes titled “The Ancient World”. A new film about Hypatia and the ransacking of the Great Library of Alexandria titled “Agora”, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, provides the centerpiece of Bettany Hughes' definitive history of the ancient world and classical civilization.

In the first episode of this series “Alexandria: The Greatest City” we focus our attention on perhaps the greatest city of the classical age – Alexandria and a woman by the name of Hypatia who was a noted mathematician, astronomer and philosopher.

The Motion picture Agora dramatizes the story of Hypatia’s battle with Cyril, the patriarch of Alexandria, casting both historical figures in symbolic roles as the central protagonists in the historical battle between science and reason against the dark forces of religious bigotry and superstition.

Hyperspace – To Boldly Go

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the final episode of the highly acclaimed six part BBC documentary series Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.

Hyperspace – Are We Alone?

Today on Far Future Horizons  we present the fourth episode of the six part BBC documentary series Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.

This installment explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life and human contact with it.

Hyperspace – New Worlds

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the fifth episode of the highly acclaimed, six part BBC documentary series, Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.

The Sun, brilliant, powerful and the giver of life, will one day become our enemy. If we are to survive we will have to leave the Earth.
 

We will need to seek out new homes and amazing new places to live and change other worlds to recreate the Earth we left behind. In the far future our Sun will become a monster. It will burn all life from our planet and destroy entire worlds and finally our Sun will even destroy itself. It’s going to happen. One day our Sun will die and when it does we will go with it. It’s time to think about the future. 

Hyperspace – Black Holes

Today on Far Future Horizons  we present the third episode of the highly acclaimed six part BBC documentary series Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.

Our species is ignorant in bliss as we go about our lives unawares that in the depths of the cosmos lurk nature’s ultimate doom’s day weapons, powerful enough to tear apart our Solar System and leave our Earth a shattered burned out ruin.

Hyperspace – Staying Alive

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the second episode titled “Staying Alive” of the highly acclaimed, six part BBC documentary series, Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.

Take a walk on planet Earth, it’s a wonderful place. But don’t take it for granted because one day it might just vanish, forever. This is the story of the universe we live in and the dangers we face just by being here.

Mankind, the Story of All of Us – Iron Men

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the second episode of the epic documentary series Mankind: the Story of All of Us – Iron Men.

In this installment of Mankind: The Story of All of Us we witness a mysterious band of pirates plundering the Mediterranean coast leaving destruction in their wake. Empires fall, but out of the chaos, humanity discovers iron. Armed with this wonder metal, ordinary folk can now overthrow tyrants and build a new world order.

Hyperspace – Star Stuff

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the first episode of the highly acclaimed, six part BBC documentary series, Space (Hyperspace in the United States) hosted and narrated by veteran actor Sam Neill.


"Let's go on a journey a journey like no other, a journey out into the depth of the Universe. Look up at the night sky, what do you see? The Planets, the Stars, a million points of light. You are looking at your universe in all its glory". ~ Sam Neill

The Universe ~ The Biggest Things in Space

Today on Far Future Horizons we are going to explore the superlatives of our grand Cosmos. Today we are proud to present the – “The Biggest Things in Space” featuring, well the biggest of the big: planets, stars, and galaxies, with a few gargantuan black holes thrown in for good measure.

The Lost Cities of Aquatica

"The deep sea has more history in it than all the museums of the world–combined." ~ Robert Ballard

Today on Far Future Horizons we go in search of the lost cities and lost civilizations that litter the undersea realm of Aquatica. Our modern day landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient superstructures. Now, cutting edge archaeology is beginning to reveal that this century's most exciting discoveries actually lie at the bottom of the ocean.

The Universe – Jupiter the Giant Planet

Planet Earth, The Great Red Spot and Planet Jupiter Size Comparison

Today on Far Future Horizons we will embark on an odyssey of over eight hundred million kilometers to a mini solar system of over 60 moons orbiting a giant gas planet over one thousand times larger than our own world.

The 'Satellite Planets' of the Solar System and Beyond

Satellite Planet© David A. Hardy 

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another installment of the awe inspiring documentary series “The Universe” and take a journey to the other natural satellites of our solar system and beyond.

The natural satellites of the major planets in our solar system come in many shapes and sizes. Each is a world unique and beautiful in its own right. Home to incredible natural phenomena like gigantic geysers and colossal volcanoes, moons also offer perhaps the best chance of finding alien life in the Universe – and they probably exist in the billions.

A Hypothetical Alien Moon Orbiting an Exosolar ringed planet

In fact a recent article on Discovery News asked the question: Should Large Moons Be Called 'Satellite Planets'? The term ‘Satellite Planet’ was coined by the principal investigator on NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto  Alan Stern.

In Search of the Real Helen of Troy

Helen of Troy painting by Rossetti

She was 'the face that launched a thousand ships' and the woman blamed for starting a conflict that caused countless deaths. But, behind all the legend who was the real woman we know as Helen of Troy?

Today on Far Future Horizons we join Bettany Hughes on a voyage through time to the dawn of classical antiquity in search of the woman responsible for sparking one of the greatest conflicts in history – the Trojan War.