To all who look up and wonder about the universe -
As an amateur-professional astronomer, this is my favorite all time documentary film on the science of astronomy. It does an excellent service to introducing astronomy for the newcomers to this science and hobby as it will also confirm many of the reasons that long time amateur astronomers have enjoyed their experiences to observe the cosmos.
The opening scene of the world famous sidewalk astronomer John Dobson in the streets of San Francisco and Crater Lake Oregon is so compelling that it will grab any ones attention who wonders about the universe and desires to observe and study it further. I have spent some time personally with Dobson in the local streets of Portland Oregon when he visited here and I can concur that he is a master at his craft. I have embarked on a similar journey so I know exactly what Dobson is doing with the public. It is something that is in dire need today and necessary for proper education at all levels.
He has done more to interest thousands of people in this science than anyone alive today. His telescope building methods have inspired people around the world for several generations as he is now in his ninetieth year of life. The editing and words selected that Dobson speaks are to be carefully heeded and learned from in this program. He is literally infectious and his enthusiasm will capture and create new astronomers with every showing of this film.
The narration by actor Richard Chamberlin is dramatic, enthusiastic and bristling with energy. The artistic graphics are stunning and realistic. The other professional astronomers interviewed from mountain top observatories to research laboratories will also inspire the newcomer to take the interest in adventure to seeing our universe, literally to heart. And that is so dearly important to understanding our existence today!
I wholeheartedly endorse this film, especially for the student who is new to astronomy.
-Mark Seibold Artist - Astronomer
