Two Small Pieces of Glass

"Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope" was produced to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, Two Small Pieces of Glass, traces the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass — using two small pieces of glass — to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. It explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400 years.

While attending a local star party, two teenage students learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Their conversation with a local female astronomer enlightens them on the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. The students see how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe.

While looking through the astronomer’s telescope, the students, along with the planetarium audience, explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn’s rings, and spiral structure of galaxies. During their conversation with the astronomer, they also learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble and many others.  Imiloa Astronomy Center, Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center, and Interstellar Studios have partnered on this program.  Mirage IIID is providing computer graphics, animations, and compositing the program.  The soundtrack was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Run Time: 25 minutes