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Old 26-August-2009, 05:21 PM
Weakly Interacting MP Weakly Interacting MP is offline
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Default Nova-Monster of the Milky Way

I watched this NOVA program last night, and thought I'ld give a quick review.

On the whole the program was up to date, albiet somewhat "dumbed down" for consumption by the general public.

Interviews with Steve Ritz and Andrea Ghez were timely in showing the timeline on how astronomers came to realize that a massive object fitting the profile of Einstien's postulated black hole (AFAIK, he never actually called it that, although the program insinuated he did) was at the centre. The discussion of infra-red cosmology and the "real-time" video of the stars circlling the object was informative and definately held my interest.

I have no real complaints of their description and use of science (typical for NOVA) although their references to "theory" may give some ammunition to those ATMers who seem to confuse "theory" and "fact".

The program was general enough that my 15 yr old son enjoyed it, and this lead to a lively discussion after the program ended. It was also deep enough that it held my interest, and I learned a couple of things I didn't know.

Star rating--4 out of 5.
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Old 26-August-2009, 05:34 PM
Weakly Interacting MP Weakly Interacting MP is offline
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Opps, this might be the wrong part of the forum. mODS, FEEL FREE TO MOVE IT.

(STUPID CAPS LOCK!!)
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Old 27-August-2009, 08:09 PM
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Fazor Fazor is offline
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(Probably better suited for SMAL)

I "watched" the program last night (had recorded it from earlier). It seemed okay, but honestly, it didn't hold my attention. It was "flashier" than NOVA's typically are, which is good for new viewers, I suppose, but I still prefer the old, straight-forward, here's the information type of episodes. Plus, at the risk of being stoned, Astronomy isn't exactly my favorite area of science.
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