Polytel InternationalOverview
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Most widely held works by
Polytel International
Cosmos A personal voyage
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3 editions published between 1991 and 2000 in English and held by 241 libraries worldwide Host Carl Sagan takes viewers to the edge of the universe aboard the spaceship of the imagination in this 13-part series. Through beautiful special effects, viewers witness quasars, exploding galaxies, star clusters, supernovas, and pulsars. Returning to the solar system, viewers enter an astonishing recreation of the Alexandrian Library, seat of learning on Earth 2000 years ago.
Cosmos
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4 editions published between 1980 and 2000 in English and held by 118 libraries worldwide "In a 13 part series Carl Sagan discusses the relationship between man and the universe. Part 2: A cosmic calendar makes the 15 billion year history of the universe understandable and frames the origin of the Earth and the evolution of life. Presents evolutionary steps from microbe to humans and ventures to other worlds for imaginative speculations on what forms life might take elsewhere in the cosmos. Part 3: Historical re-creation of the life and time of Johannes Kepler -- the first modern astronomer, providing insights into how the moon and the planets move in their orbits and ultimately how to journey to them."
One voice in the cosmic fugue The harmony of the worlds
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2 editions published in 2000 in English and held by 44 libraries worldwide [Volume] II : Addresses the question of life and its origins. Speculates on life in other worlds, establishing the rules most likely to apply. Examines molecular biology, the Miller/Urey experiment, and DNA. [Volume] III : Portrays the first attempts of human beings to interpret the character of the heavens. Explores how each society has peopled the heavens with shapes and patterns appropriate to its own time and place. Brings an understanding of the efforts of Kepler, Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton.
Encyclopedia galactica Who speaks for Earth
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2 editions published in 2000 in English and held by 43 libraries worldwide [Volume] XII : Scrutinizes a notorious UFO incident and the unsubstantiated theories of von Daniken. Explores the probable nature of intelligent civilizations in the universe and the means by which contact might be made. Notes that the "Rosetta Stone" for interstellar communication is likely to involve the laws of physics. At the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, Dr. Sagan programs the world's largest radio telescope to listen for signs of life on a distant star. [Volume] XIII : Dr. Carl Sagan reviews the ideas of cosmic evolution, the methodology of the scientific approach, and the limitations of our perceptions about the cosmos. Dr. Sagan also gives some cautionary warnings about the types of futures we face as a species and as a planet.
The edge of forever The persistence of memory
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2 editions published in 2000 in English and held by 42 libraries worldwide [Volume] X : Cultural myths of human creation lead to an early history of the universe, introducing the Big Bang theory. Computer animation explains galactic formation and dynamics and a demonstration of the Doppler effect provides an understanding of the red shift of light waves. Dr. Sagan visits India to show how the Hindus seem to have arrived at conclusions approximating modern scientific cosmology, the possibility of an oscillating universe. Radio astronomy--the VLA in New Mexico--is seen as one of the new advances in technology which will contribute to further understanding of the cosmos. [Volume] XI : Discusses the brain, its functions, brain size and environment, and the physiological synoptic response which enables humans to think. Shows how communication is translated from the "libraires" of the genes and the brain. Discusses DNA in whales and humans, and the study of communication among whales.
Travellers' tales The backbone of night
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2 editions published in 2000 in English and held by 39 libraries worldwide [Volume] VI : A visit with Dr. Carl Sagan and his colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena who are involved with the Voyager II exploratory mission to the environs of Jupiter and its satellites; contrasts 20th century space exploration with that in 17th century Holland and the achievements of Christiaan Huygens. [Volume] VII : Host Carl Sagan describes the scientific innovations of ancient Ionian physicists, their theories on the nature of air, atoms, and the stars, and the ultimate decline of science as a structured body of knowledge in the wake of Pythagorean and platonic mysticism.
The Shores of the cosmic ocean
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2 editions published in 2000 in English and held by 36 libraries worldwide From the shores of the great ocean of space, Carl Sagan embarks on an immense cosmic journey which begins 8 billion years from earth, abroad his spaceship of the imagination. He takes us to the wonders of the Cosmos: quasars, spiral galaxies, etc., then focuses on the planet earth and the early Egyptian scientific research, including the Alexandrian Library. Dr. Sagan also discusses early scientific discoveries concerning measurement of the earth's circumference and its spherical nature.
Journeys in space and time The lives of the stars
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1 edition published in 2000 in English and held by 26 libraries worldwide [Volume] VIII : With Carl Sagan we circle around the Big Dipper to see it from a new perspective. In a time machine, we explore what would happen if the past could be altered. We travel to the planets of other stars. We retrace the teen-age Albert Einstein's reverie about traveling on a beam of light; his theory of relativity predicts strange effects that arise from travel near the speed of light. [Volume] IX : A discussion of the building blocks of matter--molecules, atoms, subatomic particles--leads to an explanation of the anatomy of stars and the forces that act on stellar interiors. Stellar evolution, supernovae, and neutron stars are all dealt with. An "Alice in Wonderland" sequence is used as a playful point of reference to explain gravitational effects, from earth gravity to black holes.
Heaven and hell Blues for a red planet
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1 edition published in 2000 in English and held by 26 libraries worldwide [Volume] IV : Host Carl Sagan describes the interaction of two processes, gradualism and catastrophism, which he maintains are responsible for the evolution of our universe, solar system, and even life on earth. Dr. Sagan discusses meteorites and comets, especially the Tunguska blast, and introduces the concept of comparative planetology. The theories of Velikovsky and other theories about the planet Venus are presented. [Volume] V : Reviews man's fascination with Mars and theories about the planet, notably those of Percival Lowell. Uses special effects, elaborate models and actual photographs relayed from Mariner and Viking probes. Discusses the advances in our knowledge of Mars since the times of Wells, Lowell, and Goddard. Speculates on the future.
Travels in space and time The lives of the stars
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1 edition published in 2000 in English and held by 20 libraries worldwide 1st program: Carl Sagan uses computer animation to show the positions of the constellations and to explain the concept of a light year. 2nd program: Sagan discusses the anatomy of stars, stellar evolution, supernovae, and neutron stars.
Heaven and hell Blues for red planet
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1 edition published in 2000 in English and held by 15 libraries worldwide 1st program: Carl Sagan describes the interaction of two processes, gradualism and catastrophism, which he maintains are responsible for the evolution of our universe, solar system. 2nd program: Using special effects, elaborate models, and actual photographs by the Mariner and Viking probes, Sagan discuss advancements in our knowledge of Mars.
Encyclopaedia galactica
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1 edition published in 1980 in English and held by 11 libraries worldwide Dr. Carl Sagan explores the probable nature of intelligent civilizations in the universe and the means by which contact might be made.
Travellers' tales
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2 editions published between 1980 and 2000 in English and held by 10 libraries worldwide A visit with Dr. Carl Sagan and his colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena who are involved with the Voyager II exploratory mission to the environs of Jupiter and its satellites; contrasts 20th century space exploration with that in 17th century Holland and the achievements of Christiaan Huygens.
Blues for a red planet : episode 5 Travellers' tales : episode 6
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1 edition published in 1989 in English and held by 9 libraries worldwide Carl Sagan explores the red planet, Mars, from its coverage in literature through the visits of the Viking spacecraft.
Who speaks for earth
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2 editions published between 1989 and 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Sagan reviews his ideas of cosmic evolution, the scientific method and the limitations of our perceptions about the cosmos. He also offers some warnings about the types of futures we face as a species and as a planet, particularly in the context of nuclear war.
The Persistence of memory
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2 editions published between 1989 and 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Carl Sagan describes the nature of genetic information, the functions of the human brain, and the chemical-electrical processes that enable us to think.
The Lives of the stars
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2 editions published between 1989 and 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Carl Sagan discusses stars - their origin and nature.
Journeys in space and time
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2 editions published between 1989 and 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Carl Sagan takes us on a startling voyage to discover how star patterns and constellations change over millions of years, then discusses time travel and relativity.
Harmony of the worlds
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2 editions published between 1989 and 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Carl Sagan explores how different societies have interpreted the character of the universe and also highlights the contributions made by Johannes Kepler the first modern astronomer.
Cosmos, a personal voyage. Travellers' tales. The backbone of night
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1 edition published in 2000 in English and held by 3 libraries worldwide Traveller's tales : A visit with Dr. Carl Sagan and his colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena who are involved with the Voyager II exploratory mission to the environs of Jupiter and its satellites; contrasts 20th century space exploration with that in 17th century Holland and the achievements of Christiaan Huygens. more
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Air Astrology Astronomy Atoms Brain Celestial mechanics Constellations Constitution Cosmogony Cosmography Cosmology Creation Discoveries in geography Doppler effect Earth Educational television programs Evolution (Biology) Expanding universe Exploration of outer space Galaxies--Evolution Genetic code Greece History Huygens, Christiaan,--1629-1695 Interstellar communication Jupiter (Planet) Jupiter probes Life (Biology) Life on other planets Life--Origin Mars (Planet) Matter Memory--Physiological aspects Molecular biology Neutron stars Nuclear weapons--Moral and ethical aspects Orbits Outer space Physicists Planetology Popular works Science Science, Ancient Science television programs Stars Stars--Evolution Supernovae Thought and thinking Video recordings--for the hearing impaired Voyager Project
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