Travels With JB

Travels With JB

Travel news and reviews

A Beautiful Planet 3D, the next chapter in IMAX’s space documentary series, provides an educational, visually stunning and often disturbing picture of earth.

A breathtaking night shot from the International Space Station. Illuminated are the cities of London, Paris, Amsterdam as seen in the new IMAX® film, A Beautiful Planet. Narrated by Jennifer Lawrence and from IMAX Entertainment and director Toni Myers, A Beautiful Planet is a stunning glimpse of Earth from space, bringing a heightened awareness of our planet—and the effects of humanity over time—as never seen before. Exclusive IMAX® 2D and 3D engagements begin April 29, 2016. © 2016 IMAX Corporation. Photo courtesy of NASA.
A  night shot from the International Space Station. Illuminated are the cities of London, Paris, Amsterdam as seen in the new IMAX® film, A Beautiful Planet.*

It also offers a fascinating insight into the life of astronauts living and working on the International Space Station (ISS), a research lab,  training facility and observatory, built in orbit by 16 countries and powered by the sun.

A scene from the IMAX® film A Beautiful Planet – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui unpacks a supply of fresh fruit delivered to the International Space Station via Japan’s Kounotori 5 H-11 (HTV-5) unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft. © 2016 IMAX Corporation Photo courtesy of NASA From IMAX Entertainment and director Toni Myers and narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, A Beautiful Planet is a stunning glimpse of Earth from space, bringing a heightened awareness of our planet—and the effects of humanity over time—as never seen before. Exclusive IMAX® 2D and 3D engagements begin April 29, 2016. © 2016 IMAX Corporation.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui unpacks a supply of fresh fruit delivered to the ISS.

Made in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the film features stunning footage captured by the astronauts aboard the ISS.  Digital cameras were used by astronauts on three separate expeditions over a 15 month period. During this time the ISS travelled more than 180 million miles.

Written and directed by IMAX film writer-director ,Toni Myers,  and narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, the 45 minute film also features the thoughts of several of the astronauts.

A scene from the IMAX® film A Beautiful Planet – NASA astronaut on a spacewalk to repair the exterior of the International Space Station. It’s almost 300° on the sun side of the space station and -275° in the shade. © 2016 IMAX Corporation Photo courtesy of NASA From IMAX Entertainment and director Toni Myers and narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, A Beautiful Planet is a stunning glimpse of Earth from space, bringing a heightened awareness of our planet—and the effects of humanity over time—as never seen before. Exclusive IMAX® 2D and 3D engagements begin April 29, 2016. © 2016 IMAX Corporation.
NASA astronaut on a spacewalk to repair the exterior of the ISS.

As a result we learn about daily life on board the ISS. We watch the astronauts unpack supplies, prepare meals (including freshly grown lettuce) and even help each other with haircuts.  We learn about the challenges involved in performing spacewalks and, although they love their work, see how they strive to keep their spirits up. At Christmas, for example, they wear Santa hats and leave out bags of milk and freeze-dried cookies – confident Santa will find a way into the station!

An astronaut’s breathtaking view of Los Angeles from the International Space Station as witnessed in the new IMAX® film, A Beautiful Planet. Narrated by Jennifer Lawrence and from IMAX Entertainment and director Toni Myers, A Beautiful Planet is a stunning glimpse of Earth from space, bringing a heightened awareness of our planet—and the effects of humanity over time—as never seen before. Exclusive IMAX® 2D and 3D engagements begin April 29, 2016. Photo courtesy of NASA. © 2016 IMAX Corporation
An astronaut’s breathtaking view of Los Angeles from the ISS.

We also discover the astronauts are very concerned about the impact of global warming. The footage and commentary highlight deforestation in places like Madagascar and the Amazon, the glacial melting in Greenland and the gradual depletion of the Colorado River Basin in the United States.

Most spectacular is the footage shot at night. The film shows the brilliant lights of some of our best-known cities, from Moscow and Tokyo to Rome and Tel Aviv. It also contrasts the differences on the Korean peninsula. The South Korean countryside is lit up, while there are very few lights on in North Korea. The border between Pakistan and India is also very evident at night.

Florida and the Bahamas in the moonlight including the Bahama reefs. © 2016 IMAX Corporation Photo courtesy of NASA.
Florida and the Bahamas in the moonlight including the Bahama reefs.

Other highlights include New Zealand without any cloud coverage, Australia’s very red outback and the beautiful aurora borealis, one of the earth’s great natural wonders. The documentary also looks at what life could be like if conditions were right on distant planets light years away. The film refers to what scientists call the “Goldilocks Zone” — a system not too hot nor too cold for liquid water to exist.

It’s this educational component, together with great footage, which makes A Beautiful Planet perfect for all ages and interests.

A Beautiful Planet is currently playing at IMAX Melbourne. Check with the IMAX website for screening times.

*All pictures courtesy of NASA. © 2016 IMAX Corporation

Jenny Burns attended A Beautiful Planet as a guest of IMAX Melbourne.

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