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Blast!

Subjects: Astronomy, Conflict Resolution, Construction, Design, Engineering, Physics, Science, Space, Technology

Grade Level: SrH-Adult
Producer: Paul Devlin
Closed Captioned: No

Running Time: 55 mins
Country of Origin: United States
Study Guide: Yes

Copyright Date: 2008
Available in French: No

Filmmaker Paul Devlin follows the story of his brother, Mark, as he leads a tenacious team of scientists hoping to figure out how all the galaxies formed by launching this revolutionary new telescope under a NASA high-altitude balloon.

Mark Devlin is an experimental cosmologist. He is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, at the University of Pennsylvania. Mark designs and constructs the devices that collect the data that help us understand our universe. His recent projects include BLAST (Balloon-Borne, Large-Aperture, Submillimeter Telescope) a sophisticated scanning device that detects submillimeter light from distance star-forming dust clouds while suspended beneath a NASA high-altitude balloon at the top of the atmosphere.

The successful flight of BLAST in Antarctica in 2006 led to the verification that half the light in the Universe comes from these star-forming dust regions. The publication of this major astronomical discovery in the prestigious science journal Nature, led to international press attention. This experiment is documented in the movie BLAST!

Their adventure takes them from Arctic Sweden to Inuit polar bear country in Canada, where catastrophic failure forces the team to try all over again on the desolate ice in Antarctica. No less than the understanding of the evolution and origins of our Universe is at stake on this exciting escapade that seeks to answer humankind's most basic question, How did we get here?

BLAST! is about the crazy life of scientists. Their professional obsessions, personal and family sacrifices, and philosophical and religious questioning all give emotional resonance to a spectacular and suspenseful story of space exploration.

"The capacity to blast open our understanding of the physical structure of the Universe... This absorbing documentary leads to some unexpected twists and turns and comedic hand wringing." - Nathan Lee, New York Times

"The science documentary may be at the precipice of a golden age. BLAST! fuses high-impact experiments with delicious drama that actually build to an edge-of-your-seat climax.” - Justin Strout, Orlando Weekly

"Follow along on a hardcore, risk-filled, scientific adventure into the heart of the Big Bang." - Myrocia Watamaniuk, Hot Docs International Film Festival

NOTE:

The Educational DVD contains two versions of the film - the 56 minute version and the 53 minute version with all religious references removed.
Five additional scenes
Theatrical trailers
Chapter Selection

Awards:

Winner Best Documentary Award, Vedere La Scienza Festival
Official Selection Hot Docs
Official Selection Sheffield Doc/Fest
Official Selection Florida Film Festival

Links: www.blastthemovie.com
The Teacher's Guide is available here for purchasers of the DVD.

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