Films & Video Recordings on
ASTRONOMY, EARTH & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
Last updated September 2001
The films and videorecordings listed below are owned by York University Libraries and available for academic use by the York University community.
Requests for these materials can be made in writing, by telephone, or in person to the
Sound & Moving Image Library125 Scott Library
York University
4700 Keele Street
North York, Ontario M3J 1P3
E-Mail: imagelib@yorku.ca
Telephone:416-736-2100 ext.33324
Fax:416-736-5838
| Fall/Winter Hours: | Summer Hours: | ||
| Monday - Thursday | 9 am - 9 pm | Monday - Thursday | 9 am - 7 pm |
| Friday | 9 am - 8 pm | Friday | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Saturday & Sunday | noon - 5 pm | Closed Weekends |
Please note the following abbreviations:
| MP: | 16mm film |
| VC: | VHS videotape |
| VC 3/4: | 3/4" videotape |
APOLLO 13
AURORA
24 min. 1985 VC #0930
University of Alaska
Presents the aurora borealis and the technology used to advance
research into this phenomenon.
BEYOND THE OCEAN FRONTIER
8 min. 1986 VC #2726
Carleton Production Ltd.
Describes the unique ecosystem of the underwater mountain range
off Canada's west coast.
CANADA'S STARGAZERS:FROM LOUISBOURG TO SUPERNOVA
28 min. 1988 MP #6026
Science North Prod.
Documents the history of Canada's astronomers from the first
telescope in the 18th century, to the discovery of a supernova in
1987.
CANADIAN AIR AND PRECIPITATION MONITORING NETWORK
10 min. 1989 VC #2217
Ministry of Supply and Services
Describes CAPMoN, which measures the quality of the atmosphere in
Canada, and indicates future changes and possible problems.
CBC NEWS IN REVIEW: MARCH 1992
VC #1720
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
1. ROBERTA BONDAR (11 min.)
2. DISAPPEARING OZONE (11 min.)
CBC NEWS IN REVIEW: OCTOBER 1992
VC #2608
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
4. HURRICANE ANDREW (12 min.)
CBC NEWS IN REVIEW: MARCH 1994
VC #2970
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
1. THE LOS ANGELES EARTHQUAKE (15 min.)
CBC NEWS IN REVIEW: MAY 1995
VC #1405
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
2. GLOBAL WARMING (12 min.)
COMET
12 min. 1985 MP #2431
National Film Board of Canada
Describes the general phenomenon of comets and the radical
transformation they undergo as they
approach the sun.
CONTACT
162 min. 1997 VC Feature
Home use - no classroom rights
Robert Zemeckis
Based on the book by Carl Saga. Astronomer Dr. Ellie Arroway
receives an encrypted message, apparently from a solar system
many light-years away.
THE DINOSAURS SERIES:
58 min. each 1992 PBS
1. THE MONSTERS EMERGE VC #2880
Describes the events leading to dinosaur fossil discovery and
profiles the pioneers of dinosaur research.
2. FLESH ON THE BONES VC #2881
Discusses the scientific dispute over whether dinosaurs were warm
blooded or cold blooded and shows methods used to examine
movement and speed.
3. THE NATURE OF THE BEAST VC #2882
Examines new discoveries about the early primitive dinosaurs and
the adaptations that led to their later success.
4. DEATH OF THE DINOSAURS VC #2883
Attempts to account for the extinction of dinosaurs, through
comet or meteor exposure, or disease.
EXPLORING THE ATMOSPHERE
24 min. 1989 MP #2418
Science North/Ministry of culture and Communications
Discusses how satellites, computers, and better communications
are improving the skills of meteorologists.
FROM EARTH TO MIRANDA
50 min. 1990 VC #2597
British Broadcasting Corporation
Looks at the discoveries in the solar system of NASA's two
Voyager spacecrafts sent to Neptune.
GEOLOGY OF ATLANTIC CANADA SERIES:
Skerrett Communications
THE APPALACHIAN STORY
52 min. 1987 VC #1311/12
Documents the geological evolution of the Canadian Appalachians
in Atlantic Canada.
GULFSTREAM
28 min. 1982 MP #6107
National Film Board of Canada
Explains the origin, nature and importance of the Gulf Stream.
THE HEAT IS ON
27 min. 1989 VC #2077
Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Scientists describe the destructive impact of the global heat
trap.
INSIDE HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES
25 min. 1989 VC #2642
Smithsonian Institution
Describes how volcanoes actually work using models and footage of
live volcanoes.
INTO THIN AIR: DEATH ON EVEREST
90 min. 1997 VC Feature
Home use - no classroom rights
Robert Markowitz
Recreates the disastrous events that took place during the Mount
Everest climb on May 10, 1996. Follows author Jon Krakhauer, and portrays
what he experienced while on that expedition.
LIFE BEYOND EARTH
120 min. 1999 VC #5678
KCTS
Story of the search for extraterrestrial life told by Timothy Ferris,
who combines new discoveries about the origins of life with recent
revelations about the nature of the sun's planets.
THE MAKING OF A CONTINENT SERIES:
60 min. each 1983 Films Inc.
1. CORRIDORS OF TIME VC #1456
Describes the tectonics and other forces in the geological
history of the Grand Canyon.
2. THE LAND OF SLEEPING MOUNTAINS VC #1457
Reveals the formation of the Great Basin and shows how the plants
and animals responded to this upheaval.
3. THE PRICE OF GOLD VC #1458
Describes the tectonics and other forces in the geological
history of California.
THE MAKING OF A CONTINENT II SERIES:
60 min. each 1983 Films Inc.
1. COLLISION COURSES VC #1459
Introduces the geological puzzle known as North America, from the
oldest parts in the Canadian Shield to some of the youngest
terrain in the Rocky Mountains.
2. THE RICH, HIGH DESERT VC #1460
Examines the geological forces - rivers, oceans and glaciers -
that have shaped the middle of the North American continent.
3. THE GREAT RIVER VC #1461
Examines the Mississippi River and the man-versus-nature struggle
for the delta environment of the Mississippi Valley.
MARS, THE END OF A MYTH?
52 min. 1999 VC #5585
AVRO Television
Using archival clips from films and TV, NASA material, 3D animation
and interviews with director Paul Verhoeven, author Ray Bradbury and
scientists, the films traces the cultural history of the planet Mars.
MYSTERIES OF DEEP SERIES:
55 min. each 1997 PBS
1. TO THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE VC #4895
The Hubble Space Telescope peers deep into the cosmos and reveals
the mysterious structure of the universe.
2. EXPLODING STARS AND BLACK HOLES VC #4896
Examines violent events that shape the landscape of galaxies.
Astronomers peer into the heart of a black hole and train their
telescopes on the most distant supernovas ever seen.
3. THE SEARCH FOR ALIEN WORLDS VC 4897
Planet hunters Geoff Marcy and Paul Butler examine what they believe
is a previously undiscovered solar system and identify planets that may
even support life.
NATURE OF THINGS SERIES:
Canadian Broadcast Corp.
A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE 90 min. 1992 VC #2522
Looks at global warming and its consequences, as well as its
connection to living conditions in the developing World.
MAPS 25 min. 1983 VC #0059
The history of cartography from Ptolemy's discovery of
longitude and latitude to the chronometer of Captain Cook to
the use of computer technology today.
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
48 min. 1992 VC #3466
National Film Board
Surveys mankind's attempts to understand/explain the mystery of
the northern lights/aurora borealis. From Aristotle through the
myths and legends of the Vikings, Sami, Dene and Inuit to modern,
scientific theories and research.
NOVA SERIES:
58 min. each WGBH Educational Foundation
ACID RAIN, NEW BAD NEWS 1984 VC #0202
Shows the effects of acid rain on forests, lakes and historic
buildings in Germany and the U.S., and reviews coping efforts.
DEATH OF A STAR 1987 VC #0887
Documents the discovery of Supernova 1987A as well as the
collaboration of astronomers to monitor and study this event.
THE HOLE IN THE SKY 1987 VC #1888
Speculates that chloroflourocarbons from refrigerants and
aerosols are responsible for the drop in the ozone layer.
T. REX EXPOSED 1991 VC #2360
Discusses the physiology, behaviour and disappearance of the
Tyrannosaurs rex dinosaur, one of the largest flesh-eating
animals known to exist.
OZONE, CANCER OF THE SKY
40 min. 1993 VC #3684
Follows the world's leading scientists as they come together in
Antarctica to unravel the secrets of the ozone hole.
THE PLANETS
24 min. 1987 MP #2420
Coronet Instructional Media
Presents the solar system using telescopic photographs, computer
simulation and motion pictures from NASA space probes of the
various planets.
THE PLANETS, 1: DIFFERENT WORLDS
50 min. 1999 VC #5490
BBC
Detailed introduction to the creation, composition and alien landscapes
of the planets.
THE PLANETS, 2: TERRA FIRMA
50 min, 1999 VC #5491
BBC
Looks for clues to the "living" geological forces of the plantary
system in Venus' ancient lava flows, and Martian volcanos taller then Everest.
THE PLANETS, 3: GIANTS
50 min. 1999 VC #5492
BBC
Giants are the heavyweights of the planetary system: unimaginably
vast orbs of seething gas, brillant cloud bands that contain virtually
no landscapes.
THE PLANETS, 4: MOON
50 min. 1999 VC #5493
BBC
Attempts to explain why Earth's Moon is unique among the planets.
THE PLANETS, 5: STAR
50 min. 1999 VC #5494
BBC
Probes the turbulent centre of the Sun and observes the spectacle
of massive solar flares capable of engulfing entire planets.
THE PLANETS, 6: ATMOSPHERE
50 min. 1999 VC #5495
BBC
Exploration of otherworldly weather that reveals the variety of force
of atmospheric activity throughout the solar system.
THE PLANETS, 7: LIFE BYOND THE SUN
50 min. 1999 VC #5496
BBC
Planetary researchers suggest that conditions on neighbouring planets
may be too hostile to support life but recent findings hint there
may be alien life "hiding out" in places we've overlooked.
THE PLANETS, 8: DESTINY
50 min. 1999 VC #5497
BBC
Imagines the fate of planets in the solar system: the Sun expands and
engulfs the planets; Mars experiences a heat wave; Mercury and Venus
melt down and gas giants undero cosmic change.
PROJECT APOlLO
30 min. 1968 VC #5889
Ed Emshwiller
Surveys, without narration, the vast human and material resources
committed to the U.S. space program.
THE RIGHT STUFF
193 min. 1983 VC Feature
Home use - no classroom rights
Philip Kaufman
Based on the book by Tom Wolfe, the story of Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom,
John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper, and Deke Slayton,
the seven men chosen for the Mercury Project manned space flight program in
the U.S.
RIVERS OF FIRE
25 min. 1985 VC #1409
Hawaii National History Association/National Park Service
Documents the 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, the
world's largest volcano.
RUNAWAY UNIVERSE
60 min. 2000 VC #5915
WGBH/Boston
Goes beyond the big bang to see the future of the universe. Presents varying
viewpoints and explores various mysteries, including the nature of
"dark energy" that some scientists believe counteracts gravity.
THE SCIENCE OF CHANGE
15 min. 1990 VC #2733
Chromavision International
Looks at the Geological Survey of Canada's contribution to the
international Global Change Program and its attempts to assess
the reasons for contemporary and future changes in the
environment.
SECRETS IN STONE
32 min. 1998 VC #5387
U.S. Geological Survey
Chronicles the scientific discoveries in the early 1960s that led
to broad acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics. Traces the history
of the hypothesis of continental drift, its early dismissal by experts,
and then the dramatic rise in acceptance after geomagnetic polarity
reversals were shown to match magnetic anomalies on the sea floor.
TIBET, WHERE CONTINENTS COLLIDE
46 min. 1989 VC #2772
Earth Vision
Examines the geological boundary between the India and Eurasia
plates and demonstrates the significance of the continental
collision and subsequent geological events.
UNIVERSE THE INFINITE FRONTIER
26 X 30 min. 1995 Coast Telecourses
1. THE SCALE OF THE COSMOS VC #3639
A visual tour of the universe. Discusses the enormous distances
in the universe and unique challenges of astronomy.
2. THE SKY VC #3640
Explores how different cultures have viewed celestial events and
objects and used this information to organise their lives.
3. CYCLES OF THE SKY VC #3641
Illustrates the relative positions of Earth, moon and sun during
each of the lunar phases.
4. ORIGINS OF MODERN ASTRONOMY VC #3642
Examines the role of Aristotle, Ptolemy and other ancient Greek
scientists and philosophers and describes how they developed a
model of the solar system.
5. NEWTON, EINSTEIN AND GRAVITY VC #3643
Computer graphics illustrate key aspects of Newton's law of
gravitation, three laws of motion and Einstein's special and
general theories of relativity.
6. THE TOOLS OF ASTRONOMY VC #3644
Answers two basic questions: what is light and what tools are
used to collect it.
7. ATOMS AND STARLIGHT VC #3645
Traces the scientific study of light and the work of Bunsen and
Kirchhoff. Illustrates how each spectrum is produced and its
relation to different celestial phenomena.
8. THE SUN VC #3646
Explains why and how the sun is studied differently from other
stars.
9. STELLAR PROPERTIES VC #3647
Describes basic technique of parallax; concepts of apparent
brightness and luminosity; how the discovery of the mass-
luminosity relationship is fundamental to understanding how stars
work.
10. STELLAR FORMATION VC #3648
Explores how stars form clouds of space gas and dust one thousand
times the mass of the sun.
11. THE LIVES OF STARS VC #3649
Looks at how a star begins to die the moment it finishes being
born and how it becomes a bright giant just before it begins to
die.
12. THE DEATHS OF STARS VC #3650
Outlines the events occurring in the death of a medium-mass star
such as the sun.
13. NEUTRON STARS AND BLACK HOLES VC #3651
Reviews the characteristics and formation of neutron stars and e
properties and formations of black holes.
14. THE MILKY WAY VC #3652
Describes the discovery of the Milky Way, its basic features and
how it formed.
15. GALAXIES VC #3653
Discusses theoretical models of the large-scale structure of the
universe and how galaxies stream through space.
16. PECULIAR GALAXIES VC #3654
Summarizes the unusual features of "peculiar" or active galaxies
and the challenges in studying them.
17. THE BIG BANG VC #3655
Looks at how the "big bang" theory gained acceptance over the
steady state theory.
18. THE FATE OF THE UNIVERSE VC #3656
Discusses the nature of dark matter and the challenge of
determining the exact age of the universe. Describes several
scenarios for the future of the universe.
19. THE ORIGIN OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM VC #3657
Summarizes the evolution of the solar system describing the
terrestrial and Jovian planets, as well as asteroids, meteors and
moons.
20. PLANET EARTH VC #3658
Outlines the formation and evolution of Earth and discusses how
our understanding of the processes that formed our planet
contributes to our understanding of the other planets, solar
system and Earth.
21. THE MOON AND MERCURY VC #3659
Spacecraft photos and NASA footage of lunar explorations describe
the moons features and how they were formed. Astronomers describe
the formation of Mercury's cratered surface and other features.
22. VENUS AND MARS VC #3660
With computer-generated images from radar astronomy, provides a
close-up view of Venus and Mars and notes some striking
similarities between these two planets and Earth.
23. JUPITER AND SATURN VC #3661
Points out many similarities between the atmospheres and
interiors of Saturn and Jupiter. Voyager mission images of
Jupiter included.
24. URANUS, NEPTUNE AND PLUTO VC #3662
Describes Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (three outermost planets)
their composition, rotation and atmosphere.
25. METEORITES, ASTEROIDS AND COMETS VC #3663
Composites, origin and theories about solar system "debris".
26. LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS VC #3664
Explores the question, "Are we alone in the universe?".
Identifies the chemicals of life and explains how supernovas
supplied all the elements that are the basis of life.
VENUS UNVEILED VC #3950
An in-depth view of the planet, Venus. Interviews various
scientists and astoronomers and discusses the surface and various
properties of the planet.
WEATHER: THE CHAOS WHICH SURROUNDS US
25 min. 1996 VC #4285
Great Pacific Media
Describes the general forces behind the weather with live action storm
footage and 3-D animation.
WHAT'S UP WITH THE WEATHER
120 min. 2000 VC #4092
WGBH-TV
Explores the question of whether or not the changes in the weather are
man-made. Topic focuses on the concepts of global warming and the greenhouse effect.
WONDERS OF WEATHER:
26 min. each 1996 Learning Channel
1. HURRICANE VC 4922
Experience a hurricane, learn how a hurricane forms, and see the damage
it causes.
2. TORNADO VC #4923
Tornadoes are the most violent storms on earth. Witness their destruction
through the eyes of survivors, and discover how scientists are using new
technologies to even the odds in the war against natures terrorists.
3. LIGHTNING VC #4924
Filmed in New Mexico and Florida's lightning alley, this program uses
scientific experiments and time-lapse photography to demonstrate lightning's
enormous power.
4. WIND AND WAVES VC #4925
Wind and waves are nature's deadly double act. Journey to the windiest
places on earth. Follow an ocean current as it circles the globe, heating
and cooling the continents. Witness the deadly force of tsunamis.
