Extraterrestrial life, a supernova explosion, and space’s “bubbles” – the universe continues to reveal more mysteries and surprises than current scientific research can explain. Discover how advances in observation technology continue to transform how science understands the universe in COSMIC FRONT, premiering Monday, October 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Science. This six-part series takes viewers to observation sites around the world where cutting edge space research is underway. Through spectacular photographic images and dynamic computer graphics the series details humankind’s most recent efforts to explore the secrets of the universe.
Highlights from the first episodes of COSMIC FRONT include:
COSMIC FRONT – “Mystery of The Universe’s Bubbles”
Monday, October 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) orbits 600 kilometeres above the Earth’s surface, beyond the planet’s image-distorting atmosphere. It provides clear images of the universe and can even take vivid photographs of galaxies with hundreds of billions of stars at the outer reaches of the cosmos. Recently more than 100 scientists from around the world gathered for the most ambitious HST observation project to date: to understand the structure of the galaxies that are clustered together like soap bubbles.
COSMIC FRONT – “Extraterrestrial Life – From Fiction To Fact?”
Monday, November 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Extraterrestrial life was once considered to exist only in science fiction, but the latest advances in astronomy have debunked that view. Recently water vapor and ice particle jets have been discovered bursting out of the south pole of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Gliese 581g, a planet that could have liquid oceans on its surface, has also been discovered 20 light years from Earth. And where there is water, there is the possibility of life.
COSMIC FRONT – “Betelgeuse – Death of A Super Star”
Monday, November 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Betelgeuse is a first-magnitude red star in the Orion constellation. This massive star – 1,000 times the size of the Sun – is aging and facing imminent death. The latest observations show what appears to be a huge bump on one side of the star, and giant plumes of gas spewing out with ferocious force. Scientists predict Betelgeuse will soon meet its end in a huge explosion that could be viewed from Earth almost 100-times brighter than a full moon.
COSMIC FRONT – “Space Shuttle – Launching 30 Years of Dreams”
Monday, November 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In the summer of 2011, the Space Shuttle fleet was retired after leading international missions for three decades. Despite two tragedies, the Space Shuttle allowed for humankind’s dream of space exploration to come true, most notably by providing crucial support to the construction and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. This program traces both the glory and the tribulations of the Space Shuttle, and how it helped broaden our view of the possibility of space travel.