Around the world, a new generation of astronomers are hunting for the most mysterious objects in the universe. Young stars, black holes, even other forms of life. They have created a dazzling new set of super-telescopes that promise to rewrite the story of the heavens.The film follows the men and women who are pushing the limits of science and engineering in some of the most extreme environments on earth. But most strikingly of all, no-one really knows what they will find out there.

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Producer Ben Lawrie 

BBC TV 60mins 2011

Series exploring topical scientific issues and their effects for the future

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Reviews

 

Timeout - "stunning photography" ... “irresistible”

 

Independent – “The return to form of ‘Horizon’ after the

dumbed-down years continues apace…”

 

Guardian - "a fascinating look into a nocturnal coffee-fuelled

world where stars that twinkle are a scientific problem that needs

solving"

 

Sunday Times - main pick of the day ("even viewers who struggle

with science will be charmed")

 

On the Box - “an understated documentary which is light on

graphics and moving parts, but rich with genuine discovery and scientific

intrigue.”

 

Daily Express - “this fascinating film follows the men and women

who are pushing the limits of science and engineering in some of the most

extreme environments on Earth”

 

Radio Times - “this is one of those Horizon films which stirs a

pure sense of wonder. A film about the ‘ongoing renaissance in telescope construction’ may sound like a tough sell, but the combination of stunning photography, mind-boggling science and quaintly prosaic terminology (the biggest telescope in the world is called the VLT – Very Large Telescope) proves irresistible.  In scenes guaranteed never to make you take the

accumulation of knowledge lightly again, assorted boffins assemble

telescopes while dealing with altitude sickness, film dying stars from the

back of a moving jumbo and splash some $6.5 billion in the process.  The

fact that they don’t really know what they’ll find out doubles the risk, but also the appeal.”

 

Times - "thrilling"

 

Mail on Sunday - pick

 

Observer – pick

 

Sunday Telegraph – pick

 

Daily Mail - pick

 

Daily Telegraph - pick