The title of this television science mini series says it all. It presents the cosmos as seen from a wide variety of scientific disciplines to give the television audience a perspective on the universe. Sagan shows the relationships between physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biology to demonstrate how everything in the familiar world came into being. The series is about the universe as well as the rise of sentient beings capable of perceiving it. Re-enactments of key discoveries in science present the viewer with a historical perspective on mankind's quest to understand the universe. Carl Sagan's series uses imaginative tools to illustrate the scale of the cosmos. His journeys in the "Ship of the Imagination" demonstrate the true size of the universe. Similarly, Sagan's "Cosmic Calendar" renders the mind boggling length of time since the beginning of the universe into something more understandable by compressing cosmic history into the more familiar time scale of a single year. Both tools point to the fact that human beings and their planet make up a very small and fragile part of the cosmos.Before this series, there had never been anything quite like it on television. Before "Cosmos: a Personal Voyage," there had been many science documentaries on television; and, some of those programs were excellent. However, most of those series focused on only one aspect of science and sometimes did so in a way which seemed coldly detached. This series was unusual in that it stirred the audience's emotions and inspired a sense of awe. The audience experienced Sagan's fears and hopes for future of the human race as he shared his beliefs that humanity could realize its potential by being vigilant to avoid its self-destructive tendencies. The series is more than an ordinary science documentary but is also the presentation of a vision.This television series is a memorable viewing experience. Carl Sagan is articulate and sometimes poetic in his descriptions of the universe. The combination of Sagan's words as well as the music used in the series create an emotional viewing experience. Although some of the special effects of 1980 are somewhat dated, the visuals in the series are nevertheless stunning; and, most of the information presented in the series has managed to remain relevant in spite of the passing of decades since the series' original broadcast.This series is both awe inspiring and humbling. It provides the viewer with a greater perspective on the universe and the viewers place within it. Ever since the broadcast of this mini series, many other science mini series have attempted to follow in its foot steps; but, no other science series on television has managed to capture the imagination in the way "Cosmos" has. Carl Sagan's science mini series is still the standard by which all others are compared and is highly recommended.

First aired in 1980 this series, written and presented by astronomer Carl Sagan, has one of the most ambitious aims of any documentary; to teach us about the vast Cosmos around us. From distant galaxies, nearby stars and the planets around us to the history of life on our planet from its ancient beginnings to modern humanity. There is also speculation; is there more life out there on other planets and if so what is it like? Will we ever find proof of such life or will we somehow destroy ourselves? There is also the history of science and scientists from ancient Greece to the renaissance to modern times.The success of this series is largely down to Carl Sagan; his presentation shows his passion for the subject and this passion is passed on to the viewer. I first watched the series as a child and found it awe inspiring; especially the then recent revelations about our solar system revealed by various probes; most notably the two Voyager missions. Watching again thirty five years later the series feels almost as fresh as it did then; some of the science has obviously progressed but this doesn't feel dated… and the DVD does include some 'science updates'. The special effects might show their age slightly at times but that doesn't distract from the information Sagan is trying to impart.

I love this award winning thirteen episode series on astronomy by Carl Sagan and my two favorite episodes of Cosmos are "One Voice In The Cosmic Fugue" and "Travels In Space And Time". I love the speculation about the Jupiter "Floaters" and "Hunters" in the conclusion of One Voice In The Cosmic Fugue. I also love the three preliminary starship designs featured in the middle of Travels In Space And Time. Cosmos inspired me to design a realistic starship concept of my own which is rather an extension of Project Orion that gets its propulsion from Project Daedalus. However, I did not watch the series until 2005 but I read the book since 1997 and 1998. I like Carl Sagan prophetic statements and warnings."The sky calls to us, if we do not destroy ourselves, we will one day venture to the stars." - Carl Edward Sagan

Well, it's hard to imagine a better introduction to astronomy, or to science and history, than this series distributed by Public Broadcasting System and hosted by Carl Sagan. I watched it when it first aired and recently saw it again, and it's as impressive now as it was in 1982.Much depends on Carl Sagan, who takes us through the universe, from atoms to billions and billions of stars and galaxies, and he delivers it all very smoothly. A nice, casual guy who wears sports clothes and speaks mellifluously, Sagan knows what he's talking about and gives us an occasional personal or humanitarian gloss. He's one of those professors, like Vincent Scully, who seems genuinely awed by the things he's describing.A stellar list of advisors, artists, and animators suggests the enormous effort that went into this project.I don't expect to see anything more entertaining, informative, and inspiring about this subject.