Ep 1. Standing Up in the Milky Way

In the first episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey season 1, titled "Standing Up in the Milky Way," astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson takes viewers on an epic journey through the universe. Starting with the history of scientific discovery and exploration, Tyson goes on to explain the origins of life on Earth and the incredible forces that shape our world.

The episode begins with a homage to Carl Sagan, the creator of the original Cosmos series, and his famous "Spaceship of the Imagination." Tyson then introduces viewers to his own version of the Spaceship, which he uses to travel through time and space. As Tyson explores the history of scientific thought, we see amazing animations and special effects that bring his ideas to life.

One key theme of the episode is the idea of scale - Tyson shows us the incredible size of the universe and the tiny size of our own planet, using examples like the 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe and the fact that every living thing on Earth fits inside a sugar cube. He also explains the concept of cosmic time, or the idea that the history of the universe can be divided into different eras, each with its own unique characteristics.

As the episode progresses, Tyson focuses on the events that led to the creation of the Solar System and the emergence of life on Earth. He explains how the death of a star gave rise to our own sun and the planets that orbit it, and how the early Earth was bombarded by asteroids and other space debris.

Tyson then moves on to the story of life on Earth, describing how the first living organisms emerged from the primordial soup and gradually evolved over billions of years. He explains the process of natural selection and highlights some of the key evolutionary milestones, such as the development of photosynthesis and the emergence of multicellular life.

The episode concludes with an inspiring message about the power of scientific discovery and the role that each of us can play in advancing human knowledge. Tyson encourages viewers to look up at the stars and to be inspired by the mysteries of the universe, just as he has been throughout his career.

Overall, the first episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey season 1 is a thrilling and informative journey through the history of the universe and the origins of life on Earth. With stunning visuals and Tyson's engaging storytelling, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in science, astronomy, or the mysteries of the universe.