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EXOPLANETS - Discovering New Worlds
Welcome to the Great Age of Extrasolar Planet Finding!
The modern hunt for exoplanets is an adventure that began in the 20th century. It continues today as astronomers use both ground- and space-based observatories to find planets around other stars. Ultimately, this great age of discovery could lead to the detection of life beyond our solar system. This show tells the story of our search for alien worlds.
How do we find distant worlds around other suns? EXOPLANETS — Discovering New Worlds describes the two main methods astronomers use: the radial velocity method studies minute "wobbles" of stars, and the transit method detects eclipsing planets from flickers in a star's brightness.
So far, astronomers have found thousands of worlds, ranging from hot Jupiters to super-Earths. Discovering planets is one thing; finding life on those worlds is the next challenge.
We know life arose on Earth, but where else could it exist? Worlds in our solar system provide tantalizing clues. We look to Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the outer planets in a search for habitable environments.
What about moons? Jupiter's moon Io is volcanic and not hospitable, but tiny Europa may harbor life deep beneath its icy crust. Saturn's moon Titan has an atmosphere and organic materials, and Enceladus has hidden oceans. Could they support life? What these worlds reveal could help in the search for life beyond the solar system.
No extraterrestrial life has been found anywhere else — yet. The possibility of finding life drives our extrasolar planet searches. What if that life is intelligent? Has it tried to contact us?
EXOPLANETS — Discovering New Worlds speculates on the existence of such life, and points out nearby civilizations may already know about us — from our radio and TV broadcast signals. Someday, we may find those societies and marvel at their technological achievements.
EXOPLANETS — Discovering New Worlds takes its inspiration from a 2013 presentation created by Albedo Fulldome of Barcelona, for the Planetarium of the Science Museum "La Caixa". In 2020, Loch Ness Productions acquired the rights to Albedo's film catalog; and the following year, we reimagined this show.
Carolyn researched and wrote a new script, incorporating news about recent missions, including NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (illustrated by a new scene she programmed with Digistar). She recorded the narration, and Mark incorporated it into a re-scored soundtrack, utilizing our world-famous MUSIC BACK-PACK Library, along with new music tracks and effects. He also edited, re-sequenced and enhanced the visual material.
The result is a new show — an immersive fulldome video that blends science, documentary-style storytelling, and a touch of science fiction into a compelling look at our search for planets around alien worlds.
Running time: 28:30 Suitable for: General Public Year of production: 2021
Information about: Astronomy, solar system, exoplanet discoveries and methods, exobiology, spacecraft missions
Words expertly crafted and spoken by: Carolyn Collins Petersen
Original music soundtrack by Geodesium
Don't see the language you want? Let's work together with the producer to create it. Read more here!
POSTER (2225 x 3000 pixels, ~4MB)
HD frames from the show; select for large size
4K fisheye frames from the show; select for large size
