The solar eclipse was TOTALly amazing! Arkansas PBS Passport gives you a chance to relive that moment, as well as take informed journeys through space. Go back in time with Apollo 11; learn the history of the rocket; and discover the secrets of space with Arkansas PBS Passport.
HOW TO WATCH
Members who contribute a tax-deductible gift of at least $5 per month, or an annual gift of $60 or more, are eligible for Arkansas PBS Passport – an extended, on-demand library of your favorite PBS shows, films and specials.
As a reminder, you can watch anywhere, anytime on myarkansaspbs.org, or using the PBS App, available on your TV, phone or tablet.
Relive the Eclipse
“TOTALITY: The Great Arkansas Eclipse” – Take a journey into the science behind eclipses with this documentary. Hear from Arkansas astronomers including scientists from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Arkansas Tech University Observatory. This documentary is always free to watch without the benefit of Passport.
“NOVA: Great American Eclipse” – Explore the spectacular cosmic phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. In April 2024, the moon’s shadow swept from Texas to Maine, as the U.S. witnessed its last total solar eclipse until 2044. This extraordinary astronomical event plunged locations in the path of totality into darkness for more than four minutes – nearly twice as long as the last American eclipse in 2017. Follow scientists as they work to unlock secrets of our sun – from why its atmosphere is hundreds of times hotter than its surface, to what causes solar storms and how we might one day predict them.
Space History
“Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World – The Rocket” – Learn the explosive history of the rocket, from its origin in ancient China, to its use as a weapon of war, to how adding hydrogen allowed it to carry astronauts all the way to the moon.
“8 Days: To the Moon and Back” – Join Apollo 11 on its historic journey. This film seamlessly blends mission audio featuring conversations among Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins with new footage, NASA archive and stunning CGI to recreate the first moon landing.
“To Catch a Comet” – On Nov. 12, 2014, billions of kilometers from Earth, spacecraft orbiter Rosetta and lander Philae did what no other had dared to attempt – land on the volatile surface of a comet as it zoomed around the sun at 67,000 km/hr. The European Space Agency hopes this mission can help peer into our past and unlock secrets of our origins.
“Antiques Roadshow – Out of this World” – Explore the universe of space-themed treasures, including NASA Space Program autographed photos, a 1737 celestial and terrestrial atlas, and a “Star Trek” treatment, script and letters. Have the values of these stellar finds skyrocketed in the market?
“Ancient Skies” – Discover how centuries of knowledge, experimentation and engineering helped our ancestors understand the mysteries of space. Expert contributors decode astronomical myths and uncover the science behind their origins.
“Life From Above” – Behold Earth as it’s never been seen before. Cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a brand-new perspective, revealing its incredible movements, colors, patterns and just how fast it’s changing.
“Native America: Cities of the Sky” – Discover the cosmological secrets behind America’s ancient cities. Scientists explore some of the world’s largest pyramids and 3D-scan a lost city of monumental mounds on the Mississippi River. Native elders reveal ancient powers of the sky.
Journey Through Space
“A Year in Space” – Follow astronaut Scott Kelly’s 12-month mission on the International Space Station, from launch to landing, as NASA charts the effects of long-duration spaceflight by comparing him to his identical twin on Earth, astronaut Mark Kelly.
“Beyond a Year in Space” – Pick up where “A Year in Space” left off: Scott Kelly’s last day in space and return to Earth. The special also introduces viewers to the next generation of astronauts training to leave Earth’s orbit and travel into deep space.
“Humanity From Space” – Trace humankind’s long journey from hunter-gatherer to dominant global species. From the perspective of space, this special uses mind-boggling data and CGI to disclose the breathtaking extent of humanity’s influence, revealing how we’ve transformed our planet and produced an interconnected world of extraordinary complexity.
“NOVA Universe Revealed: Age of Stars” – Join NOVA on a voyage to discover the life and death cycle of the sun and other stars.
“Power Trip: The Story of Energy – Space” – Modern energy takes us on a journey to the final frontier. This episode traces the history of space travel, with a focus on the energy innovations making it possible. Lifting off into space depends on modern energy, and surviving in space also requires energy. Energy is required at every step in space exploration, and new forms of energy must be developed to reach other star systems.
“Independent Lens – Space: The Longest Goodbye” – NASA’s goal to send astronauts to Mars would require a three-year absence from Earth, during which communication in real time would be impossible due to the immense distance. Meet the psychologists whose job is to keep astronauts mentally stable in outer space, as they are caught between their dream of reaching new frontiers and the basic human need to stay connected to home.
HOW TO WATCH
Get extended, on-demand access to more of your favorite PBS, shows, films and specials by signing up for Arkansas PBS Passport.