Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a science documentary series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It first aired in 2014 and is a follow-up to the original 1980 Cosmos series hosted by Carl Sagan. The show takes viewers on a journey through space and time aboard the Ship of the Imagination. It explores the history of science, the universe, and our place in it.

Exploring the Universe

Each episode explores a different aspect of science and the cosmos. Viewers learn about stars, galaxies, atoms, and the origins of life. The Ship of the Imagination can travel anywhere in the universe and through time. Animated segments tell the stories of great scientists throughout history.

Carl Sagan's Legacy

The original Cosmos series with Carl Sagan in 1980 inspired a generation of scientists. Neil deGrasse Tyson was personally inspired by Sagan as a teenager. The new series continues Sagan's mission to make science accessible and exciting for everyone. A second season called Cosmos: Possible Worlds aired in 2020.

Fun Facts

• The original Cosmos with Carl Sagan was watched by over 500 million people.
• Neil deGrasse Tyson met Carl Sagan when he was 17 years old.
• The show uses a Cosmic Calendar to compress the history of the universe into one year.

Did You Know?

When Neil deGrasse Tyson was 17, Carl Sagan personally invited him to visit Cornell University. Sagan spent a whole day with the young Tyson and even offered to let him stay at his home if his bus could not leave due to snow. That act of kindness inspired Tyson to become a science communicator just like Sagan!