Presenter: SOPTV, Southern Oregon Public Television
Narrator: Top astrophysicist and NOVA scienceNOW’s Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson
NOLA Code: FYET0000
PBS Premiere: Friday, April 10, 2009, 10 PM (ET)
Broadcast Rights: 8 Rel/3 Yrs (4/10/09 – 4/9/12)
School Record: 1 Yr/Each Broadcast
SD Feed & HD Feed (& Press Preview Feed): TBA
A Press Kit Containing a DVD are in the Mail
Dear colleague:
South Oregon Public Television and PBS are proud to announce the premiere of 400 Years of the Telescope: A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought to kick off 2009’s “International Year of Astronomy.” A tribute to the wonders telescopes continue to reveal, this visually stunning chronicle takes viewers on a sweeping journey from 1609, when Galileo disclosed our place in the galaxy, to today’s thrilling quests to discover new worlds. Selected as an official representation of this special year, the 60-minute documentary tells the story of the past, present and future of telescopes and what they teach us about humankind’s changing perception of the cosmos.
Look for the PBS/NPS feed on Friday, April 10th 2009 at 10 pm ET. The airdate for400 Years of theTelescopecoincides with the conclusion of “100Hours of Astronomy”—a worldwide event includinglive webcasts, public stargazing opportunities andmore, April 2 - 5, when the Moon is in an idealphase for early evening observing.
400 Years of the Telescope shares the contagious passion of leading astronomers who clearly explain otherwise obtuse astronomical concepts. Complementing the scientists, the program includes reenactments of Galileo’s invention, early pen drawings of the moons of Jupiter, high tech graphics and the remarkable story of how what seemed impossible at the time–fixing the Hubble Space Telescope in space—occurred, portending the discernment of many more of the universe’s mysteries in the future. The compelling documentary lifts viewers off their armchairs into space.
Extensive promotion and outreach accompany 400 Years of the Telescope andinclude the following:
· A national promotion and PR campaign: Carla Befera, Carla Befera & Company · Cinematic Documentary On The Telescope Was Screened At American AstronomicalSociety Meeting in Long Beach, CA as part the U.S. opening ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy
· A full-dome and traditional planetarium program, TwoSmall Pieces of Glass, is available as a companion piece and will be utilized by at least eight PBS markets to tie in community events in collaboration with local planetariums.
· Coordinated outreach programs with educational organizations, amateur astronomy organizations, national broadcasters and planetariums are available to stations.
· The national PBS airdate for400 Years of theTelescopecoincides with the conclusion of “100Hours of Astronomy” - a worldwide event includinglive webcasts, public stargazing opportunities andmore, April 2 - 5, when the Moon is in an idealphase for early evening observing. Info atwww.100hoursofastronomy.org.
400 Years of the Telescopeis supported by a beautiful companion coffee table book and a DVD that will be released in 2009 (date TBA).
400 Years of the Telescope is the first PBS documentary filmed on 4K Digital Cinema technology. It is produced by Emmy award winning producer and writer Kris Koenig, who with the Interstellar Studios production team traveled the globe visiting the world’s leading astronomers, cosmologists and observatories. The documentary includes a lush score by modern English composer Mark Slater performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Presented by SOPTV and distributed by PBS/NPS, it is narrated by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. The underwriter is National Science Foundation. Local underwriting is permitted.
Please contact me if you have questions. I’ll be in touch with you about your carriage plans during the next few months. A fact sheet follows.
Very truly yours,
Regina
Regina Eisenberg R Eisenberg Presents, Inc. 2340 Powell Street, Suite 333, Emeryville, CA 94608 regina@reisenbergpresents.com ▪ 510.550.1706
R Eisenberg Presents, Inc. 2340 Powell Street, Suite 333, Emeryville, CA 94608 regina@reisenbergpresents.com ▪ 510.550.1706
400 Years of the Telescope: A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought
Program Summary:
A tribute to the wonders telescopes reveal and kicking off 2009’s “International Year of Astronomy,” this visually stunning chronicle takes viewers on a sweeping journey from 1609, when Galileo disclosed our place in the galaxy, to today’s thrilling quests to discover new worlds.
R Eisenberg Presents, Inc.
