Silver Spring, MD — Revealing revolutionary discoveries about the universe’s composition, history and origin, The Cosmos: A Beginner’s Guide debuts on DVD from Athena on March 29, 2011. Affable presenter Adam Hart-Davis explores how technology is shaping our understanding of the universe, while making these findings accessible and fun with compelling presenters and superb 3-D recreations. Seen on the BBC in 2007 and available to U.S. audiences for the first time with its DVD release, this eye-opening, six-part series shows how leading scientists are using ingenious tools to achieve breakthroughs in understanding the stars, planets, and our place among them (DVD 2-vol., 6 episodes, $39.99, www.AcornOnline.com).

Where did the universe come from? Where is it headed? Does it harbor intelligent life elsewhere? Today, sophisticated technology is bringing scientists closer and closer to answering those big questions. Join veteran science educator Adam Hart-Davis and his colleagues as they meet investigators probing the very nature of the cosmos—at the edges of space, as well as right here on Earth. Go far beneath Geneva as a supercollider attempts to unlock the secrets of the Big Bang. Follow humankind’s deepest space probe as it travels beyond our solar system. And see the spectacular, often violent events revealed by new-generation telescopes and sensors.

Episode 1: Life in the Cosmos
Episode 2: Building the Universe
Episode 3: Seeing the Universe
Episode 4: Space Exploration
Episode 5: Violent Universe
Episode 6: Other Worlds

Author, broadcaster, and educator Adam Hart-Davis holds a doctoral degree from York University. In addition to presenting numerous television and radio documentaries, he has written more than two dozen books, mostly on popular science.

BONUS FEATURES:

• 12-page viewer’s guide with the life cycle of a star and articles on the European Space Agency, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, communicating with aliens and the search for Earth-like exoplanets
• Gallery of Apollo astronauts, plus discussion questions and a timeline of space exploration milestones at AthenaLearning.com

Athena releases provide an authoritative and entertaining learning experience through high quality, informative, non-fiction programming. Athena’s releases include Discovering Hamlet, The Adventure of English, Playing Shakespeare, The Story of Math, World War I in Color, Testament, as well as programs from Mike Wallace and Bill Moyers. Clips are available at www.athenalearning.com. Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.