Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places

Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places is a powerful, three-part documentary series released by CuriosityStream in 2016. It features one of the most influential physicists in history, Stephen Hawking. The show is a virtual reality journey through the cosmos, led by Hawking, who uses a digitally recreated spaceship called the "SS Hawking." This extraordinary space-faring journey traverses across our universe, visiting a string of cosmological wonders described as the favorite places of the late, famed physicist.

The series is an educational voyage, cleverly combining space exploration and theoretical physics to give viewers an insight into the fascinating depths of cosmic knowledge that Hawking sought to understand during his lifetime. Hawking's favorite places in the series are not just physical locations within the universe, but they are also conceptual areas of inquiry within his scientific discipline.

In each episode, Hawking propels viewers into space, explores extraordinary realms that challenge the boundaries of human imagination, and attempts to explain cosmological phenomena in an interesting, informative, and accessible style. The series offers vivid, highly-detailed computer animations that bring each destination to life, providing viewers with unparalleled visual experiences.

The first episode takes a tour of some of Hawking's favorite places in our local corner of the universe, such as our neighboring planet Venus, our galaxy - The Milky Way - and particularly significant regions such as the supermassive black hole at its center, Sagittarius A*. The first episode culminates in a spin to Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa - an intriguing destination thought to harbor life beneath its frozen surface.

In the second installment of the series, the SS Hawking whisks viewers 13.8 billion light years from Earth to experience the Big Bang. Together with Hawking, you will visualize the very forces that birthed our universe, exploring some of the most mind-boggling concepts in space science.

The third episode, the most conceptually ambitious of the series, takes viewers to the great cosmic voids. Here, the vast span of space is explored, including the areas where stars and galaxies are few and far between. In this episode, Hawking delves deep into one of the newest and most exciting ideas in theoretical physics, the phenomenon of dark matter.

The series works to humanize the genius of Hawking through his own words, as he shares personal anecdotes, observations, and insight throughout the journey. This brings a personal and emotive layer to the show while also raising poignant questions about our existence.

In Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places, viewers are treated to a virtual cosmic safari, guided by one of the greatest minds of our time. The physics involved is broken down into understandable and engaging narratives that appeal to both beginners and those with a keen interest in space science. The visuals are stunning, and the intriguing places Hawking chose to feature in the series will leave you awestruck and further pique your interest in the universe we inhabit.

While the series operates with one foot in the world of science fiction, due to its use of a digital spaceship and virtual reality technology, it always remains firmly rooted in scientific accuracy. As such, it provides an entertaining, educational, and above all, a revealing look at the cosmos around us. Through it, Hawking invites viewers to share in his curiosity and join him in his lifelong quest to understand the universe.

Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places is a truly unique, insightful, and rewarding series, offering an unparalleled view of the cosmos as seen through the eyes of one of its greatest interpreters. It underscores Stephen Hawking's significant contributions to science while also paying tribute to his relentless love for exploration and discovery.

Whether you're a fan of Hawking, a lover of space, or someone who simply enjoys captivating story-telling, this series is a valuable addition to any screening list. As viewers accompany Hawking on his journey, they not only explore the universe, but they also engage with the physicist’s legacy and his enduring influence on our understanding of the cosmos.