Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980)
Carl Sagan's iconic PBS documentary series that transformed how the world thinks about science, the universe, and our place within it.
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - Series Information
- Original Title: Cosmos: A Personal Voyage
- First Air Year: 1980
- Last Air Year: 1980
- Created by: Carl Sagan
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 28, 1980 (Germany - 6), September 28, 1980 (Spain - TP), September 28, 1980 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: PBS
- Alternative Titles: Cosmos: un viaje personal (ES), Carl Sagan's Cosmos (AU), 코스모스 (KR), Cosmos (US), Космос (RU), Unser Kosmos - Eine Reise durch das Weltall (DE), Kosmos (CZ), Carl Sagan Cosmos (NL)
- Production Companies: KCET, Carl Sagan Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - Plot
Carl Sagan covers a wide range of scientific subjects, including the origin of life and a perspective of our place in the universe.
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - Trailer
Preview the series with this clip from Cosmos: A Personal Voyage.
Watch Cosmos: A Personal Voyage video on YouTube ↗
If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.
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Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Carl Sagan
Main Cast
- Carl Sagan
Writers
- Carl Sagan
- Ann Druyan
- Steven Soter
Executive Producers
- Adrian Malone
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage - FAQs
What is Cosmos: A Personal Voyage about?
Hosted by astronomer Carl Sagan, the series takes viewers on a sweeping journey through space, time, and the history of science. It covers topics ranging from the origin of life and stellar evolution to the cosmic calendar and humanity's place in the vast universe, blending poetry with rigorous scientific insight.
Who hosted and created Cosmos: A Personal Voyage?
Carl Sagan created and hosted the series, bringing his rare gift for making complex science feel personal and profound. The scripts were co-written with Ann Druyan and Steven Soter, and the series was produced for PBS by KCET and Carl Sagan Productions, with Adrian Malone serving as executive producer.
When did Cosmos: A Personal Voyage first air?
The series premiered on September 28, 1980, on PBS. It ran for 13 episodes across a single season and concluded the same year. It quickly became one of the most-watched public television programs in American history, reaching an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide.
Is Cosmos: A Personal Voyage worth watching today?
Absolutely. Despite being over four decades old, the series remains a landmark of science communication. Sagan's eloquence and philosophical depth give it a timeless quality that few documentaries match. It holds a near-perfect reputation among critics and audiences alike and is widely considered essential viewing for anyone curious about the universe.
How many episodes does Cosmos: A Personal Voyage have?
The series consists of 13 episodes, each running approximately 60 minutes. There is also a collection of special episodes available under Season 0. The 13 main episodes cover topics including the cosmic calendar, the lives of stars, the history of astronomy, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Where can you stream Cosmos: A Personal Voyage?
Streaming availability varies by region. You can check current viewing options — including subscription streaming, rental, and purchase — on JustWatch, which tracks real-time availability across all major platforms in your country.
Did Cosmos: A Personal Voyage win any awards?
The series earned multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, recognizing its outstanding contribution to public broadcasting and science education. It was groundbreaking in its production values for the era and set a new standard for science documentary filmmaking that influenced generations of filmmakers and educators.
What shows are similar to Cosmos: A Personal Voyage?
Fans of the series often enjoy The Planets (2019), Our Universe (2022), One Strange Rock (2018), and Prehistoric Planet (2022) for their sweeping scope and visual ambition. For science-focused documentary storytelling, MythBusters (2003), First Peoples (2015), and The Story of God with Morgan Freeman (2016) also make compelling viewing.
More About Cosmos: A Personal Voyage
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