Planets, The. Part 2: Mercury and Venus

Subtitle

Mercury and Venus

Synopsis

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It was not thought to rotate on its own axis so a solar day would equal a year. Shows how modern radar telescope techniques disproved this theory. The Mariner 10 space probe offered a new scientific viewpoint. Venus is the bright, cloud-covered planet, seen best at dusk. Galileo’s early work is brought up to date with the Soviet Union’s probes in the 1960s followed by the USA’s Pioneer probes. Thought at one time to be possibly like earth, Venus’ atmosphere is now known to be very inhospitable. Ends with some salutary points on the ‘greenhouse effect’.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 30 min.

Year of production

1985

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Documentation

Accompanying book ‘The Planets’ by Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest (Pan).

Uses

Astronomers at all levels.*

Subjects

Astronomy

Keywords

Mercury (planet); planets; solar system; Venus

Credits

Writer

Heather Couper

Cast

Heather Couper

Production Company

Name

Moving Picture Company

Sponsor

Name

Channel Four Television

Phone

071-396 4444

Address

LONDON
SW1P 2TX

Distributor

Name

Guild Sound & Vision

Notes

for management & training programmes, see Training Services Ltd