Watch 400 Years of the Telescope

400 Years of the Telescope is an informative and thought-provoking documentary film that explores the long and fascinating history of the telescope, from its earliest beginnings four hundred years ago to the present day. The film is hosted by famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City and is written and directed by Kris Koenig.

The film begins by providing a brief introduction to the history of astronomy before the telescope, highlighting the important contributions of figures such as Copernicus and Galileo. The film then moves on to the invention of the telescope by Dutchman Hans Lippershey in the early 1600s, which allowed astronomers to peer much farther out into the cosmos than before.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the way it puts the development of the telescope into historical context. We learn about the various ways telescopes have been used over the centuries, from early observations of the Moon and planets to the mapping of the stars and galaxies. One fascinating segment discusses the contributions of women astronomers, such as Caroline Herschel and Henrietta Swan Leavitt, who made important discoveries during a time when women were often excluded from scientific fields.

Throughout the film, Tyson and other experts discuss some of the most significant astronomical discoveries and how they were made. The documentary does a great job of explaining complex scientific concepts in an accessible way, making it easy for viewers with little to no scientific background to follow along. We learn about the different types of telescopes, such as reflecting and refracting telescopes, and how they have developed over time to become the sophisticated instruments we have today.

One of the film's most striking images comes when we see Hubble's Ultra Deep Field image, a photograph taken by the Hubble Space Telescope that contains some of the most distant objects ever seen by humans. The image is a testament to the incredible power and precision that modern telescopes can achieve, and it underscores the importance of continued technological developments in astronomy.

The film also touches on some of the ethical implications of astronomy, particularly the question of whether or not we should try to contact intelligent life in the universe. Tyson discusses the Fermi Paradox, which asks why, if the universe is so vast and seemingly full of life, we have not detected any other intelligent civilizations. The film ultimately leaves it up to the viewer to decide whether or not such contact would be wise.

Throughout the film, Tyson's enthusiasm for astronomy is contagious, and his explanations are both entertaining and informative. The film is beautifully shot and features stunning images of the cosmos, making it a must-see for anyone with an interest in astronomy or science more generally.

Overall, 400 Years of the Telescope is an engaging and informative look at the history and importance of the telescope, from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The film is accessible and entertaining, providing a great introduction to astronomy for anyone who is interested in learning more about our place in the universe.

400 Years of the Telescope is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.