Popular TV program "Cosmos" makes a comeback on FOX
NEW BERLIN (WITI) -- After more than three decades, the popular television program "Cosmos" is making a comeback! Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey will make history for the FOX Network, as this is the first time that a TV show is set to premiere in a global simulcast across FOX's network of channels.
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a follow-up to the 1980 television series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which was presented by Carl Sagan. The new series' presenter will be Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The executive producers are Seth MacFarlane and Ann Druyan, Sagan's widow.
The series will premiere on Sunday night, March 9, 2014, simultaneously in the U.S. across ten 21st Century FOX networks, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, and FOX Life.
The remainder of the series will air on FOX with Nat Geo rebroadcasting the episodes the next day with extra content.
Those who are passionate about astronomy hope the show will spurn interest into some of the local astronomy organizations.
Scott Jamieson is the president of the Milwaukee Astronomical Society. He says some 30-plus years ago, he watched the original "Cosmos" show featuring Carl Sagan, and says that show sparked his interest in astronomy.
"When 'Cosmos' came on, I was already a basic, amateur astronomer," Jamieson said.
Jamieson says he's excited the show is back, and says he's looking forward to taking it in, beginning Sunday night, March 9th.
"They have the imaginary spaceship that will allow the viewer to scan across the surface at least, from the previews I’ve seen, so it ought to be really exciting," Jamieson said.
Jamieson says he expects the new "Cosmos" series will have a similar effect on others.
"Most astronomical events do that. This ought to be really big," Jamieson said.
Big enough that MAS is preparing for the program to generate increased interest in the Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory -- a sprawling facility that occupies three acres in New Berlin.
The facility has grown into a research facility, and allows observers to make state-of-the-art observations. All of the buildings and domes on site, as well as most of the telescopes available were built by Milwaukee Astronomical Society members.
The members maintain the equipment, and the observatory is funded by membership dues and donations.
The observatory is open for public viewing on specific nights.
"When you get here, you can check out the books. We have the ‘Astronomy’ magazines, and the people are friendly here. They can help you set up your scope, answer questions, and it’s a lot of fun!" Jamieson said.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Milwaukee Astronomical Society.
CLICK HERE for additional information on Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.