ANCIENT SKIES

Wednesdays, April 3 - 17, 2024 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream the series now with KPBS Passport + Encores Sunday, April 7 from Noon - 3 p.m. on KPBS TV and Sundays, April 7 - 21, 2024 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2

In the three-part series, ANCIENT SKIES, audiences will discover how centuries of knowledge, experimentation and engineering helped our ancestors explore outer space. Expert contributors and indigenous storytellers demystify astronomical myths with scientific explanations.

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Star Projector at The George F. Beattie Planetarium, San Bernardino Valley College. San Bernardino, Calif.

Courtesy of Raid Production Ltd.

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Galileo's Letter to Benedetto Castelli at The Royal Society. London, UK.

Courtesy of Raid Production Ltd.

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Persian Planispheric Astrolabe at Harvard University. Cambridge, Mass.

Courtesy of Raid Production Ltd.

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Prague Astronomical Clock, Czech Republic

Courtesy of Raid Production Ltd.

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Remains of William Herschel's 40-foot telescope, Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Courtesy of Raid Productions Ltd.

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Director Harald Meller from State Museum for Prehistory. Halle (Saale), Germany.

Courtesy of Raid Productions Ltd.

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “Gods And Monsters” - Explore the origins of our relationship with the skies. Our ancestors use the sky to navigate and tell time, and give religious significance to what they see in it. Then, a revolution gives birth to modern science. Additional clips: "The Story of Icarus" and "Celestial Alignment"

Episode 2: “Finding The Center” - Follow the efforts to give the Earth a shape and a place. From flat Earth legends to Galileo’s telescope, track major changes in scientific understanding. Ideas rise and fall as we continue to explore our ancient skies. Additional clips: "Earth-Centered Cosmos" and "The Edge of the World"

Episode 3: “Our Place In The Universe” - Complete the puzzle of our ancient skies. A cast of scientific pioneers reshapes the solar system and better understands a growing universe. But there is still much more space to explore. Additional clips: "The Marine Chronometer" and "The Universe is Expanding" and "Cannon Shot to the Moon"

Watch On Your Schedule: The series is available to stream with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.