Comet Encounter

Comet Encounter is a riveting one-hour documentary produced by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 2013 dedicated to exploring the world beyond our planet, particularly the mysterious and magnificent comets that traverse the universe.

The show guides viewers on an awe-inspiring journey, immersing them into the mysterious celestial world of comets which are often considered to be time capsules containing original building blocks of the solar system. By exploring these evasive travelers, Comets Encounter seeks to unravel precious insights about the birth and evolution of our solar system and maybe even life on earth.

With eye-catching visuals and state-of-the-art CGI, the program takes viewers as close as possible to these icy visitors from the distant corners of the solar system without physically leaving their living rooms. By scanning billions of miles across the cosmos, Comet Encounter introduces audiences to the strange and spectacular phenomena that are part of a comet's life – right from its formation in the outer edges of our solar system to its perilous journey towards the sun.

The objective of Comet Encounter is not merely the exploration of comets, but the understanding of how these celestial bodies have shaped and will continue to affect earth and other planets in the solar system. Comets have forever been a part of human folklore, often inspiring fear of disaster. However, beyond the baseless superstitions, Comets make significant contributions by bringing vital ingredients like water and organic molecules to planets which may eventually lead to life.

Abounding with fascinating interviews, the series brings together leading astrophysicists, space scientists, and comet experts from all over the world who share their knowledge, research findings, and fascinating theories. The experts discuss the fundamental aspects of what makes a comet, the varied composition of different comets, their trajectories, and their potential effects on planets upon collision.

What sets Comet Encounter apart is its timely exploration of an actual event during its production - the memorable pass of Comet ISON in 2013. Comet ISON's journey gave scientists a unique opportunity to study and accumulate substantial data about comet behavior, evolutions, and destruction upon coming too close to the Sun. The series provides exclusive behind-the-scenes visuals of scientists monitoring Comet ISON across the globe and in space, using high-tech space facilities and telescopes, providing viewers a unique insight into the working world of comet exploration.

With Comet ISON as a real-time example, Comet Encounter delves into the missions that have revolutionized our understanding of these visitors from deep freeze. It discusses past missions like the NASA's Deep Impact mission that shed light on the structural compostion of comets, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission that allowed humans to experience a comet landing, and the Stardust mission that even carried cometary particles to earth.

But past and present are not the only focus of the series, it also looks to the future, discussing ambitious and exciting missions that are in store for comet science. Comet Encounter instills a tangible excitement about the possibilities and potential surprises that await us in the exploration of comets, triggers curiosity, creates awareness about our cosmic neighborhood and our place within it.

Comet Encounter, thus, goes beyond being a mere documentary about comets, painting a portrait of the limitless universe itself. It doesn’t just share what we currently know about comets, but also stimulates discerning questions about what we don’t, offering a rare blend of visualization, science, and storytelling. It stirs a sense of wonder and keeps pure scientific enquiry alive and thriving.

Packed with stunning imagery, simple yet profound explanations, intriguing insights from the world's leading experts, and a fascinating narrative, Comet Encounter is a riveting watch for space enthusiasts and those with an inquisitive mind, seeking to understand the mysteries of the cosmos. Be it a young mind ignited by celestial curiosities or an adult fueled by a profound interest in space and science, this documentary invites viewers of all ages to gaze up at the sky with an entirely new perspective.

As viewers traverse the universe through Comet Encounter, they are likely to gain a newfound appreciation for comets as they realize how these intriguing visitors from the outer realms of our solar system have impacted and continue to inspire us in myriad ways. It truly embodies the essence of the PBS mission – to make knowledge of the natural world accessible, engaging and inspiring to all its viewers.