Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie Review

A blaze of glory.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 14, 2012

It’s extremely easy to take the Sun for granted. As the growling yellow star at the center of our solar system, the Sun is a dependable source of energy and mystery, enthralling the residents of Earth for an eternity, with certain cultures of the past worshipping its powers. Recent centuries have seen the star transformed into the ultimate question mark of the galaxy by a host of inquisitive scientists, each hoping to acquire a greater understanding of the Sun’s inner workings. “Secrets of the Sun” is a NOVA production that plunges into the heart of the matter, assembling satellite imagery, scientific study, and intensive research (feel the suspense of microfiche examination!) to gather a stronger appreciation for the blazing circle in the sky. Armed with new technologies that make it easier than ever to process the Sun’s frenzied activities, experts are able to survey the star with greater accuracy, a development needed as Earth prepares for an upcoming solar event that could cause devastating damage to our energy infrastructure.

Directed by Duncan Lopp and narrated by Lance Lewman, “Secrets of the Sun” is a straightforward discussion of science, absent a lively presentation that could amplify a cold series of facts and discoveries into a wonderfully blinding PBS education. Despite a lack of accessibility, Lopp does attempt to massage a forward momentum out of the material, stitching together CGI animation, footage of the Sun in motion, and hyper scientists bursting to convey to the viewer the excitement of breakthroughs, each trying to present complicated concepts of physics in a relatable manner inside a matter of minutes. One interviewee even whips out a slinky to make her points easily understood. For someone who doesn’t have a background in this skyward study, the crude efforts of communication are most appreciated, helping to keep the documentary moving along at top speed. With this much ground to cover concerning the daily adventures of the Sun, there’s no time to dissect immense examples of solar fury to layman satisfaction.

Our story begins in Boulder, Colorado, at the National Space Weather Prediction Center, where a team of professionals scramble to process evidence of Coronal Mass Ejection (or C.M.E.), an event where the Sun spits out a bit of its power into space, with Earth its occasional, wholly unintentional target. With unpredictable solar storms, catching the true launch of Coronal Mass Ejections is difficult, leaving the professionals with only a short time to determine global threat, with just one of these visitations causing untold damage to our tightly knitted communications network. In 1859, the planet was rocked by one such event, though with the era’s limited resources, the true effect of the C.M.E. wasn’t recorded in full. Today’s science teams have more technological firepower on their side, and with that knowledge comes a greater fear of the Sun’s unpredictability and capacity to disrupt world order.

“Secrets of the Sun” soon moves over to helioseismology, a new area of research established after the discovery of sound waves on the surface of the star -- a finding that radically changed study methods, providing experts with a larger understanding of surface activity, eventually illuminating boisterous events occurring near of the core of the Sun. It’s actually a plasma wonderland boiling at the center of this solar commotion, with nuclear fusion occurring at a rapid rate, creating a routine of power that gives the star its intensity, with one interviewee turning to a lava lamp to best describe the elegantly combustible nature of the subject. Again, dumb it down, NOVA. I need all the help I can get.

The launch of the Atlas 5 rocket in 2010 brought the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite into play, a device that revolutionized solar physics. For the first time, scientists were able to view the Sun’s activity through degrees of temperature, comprehending subtle changes in a completely new light. The study of magnetism was significantly enhanced, a topic “Secrets of the Sun” eagerly covers, inspecting the rituals of solar flares, examining their behaviors in relation to the power of the star. Sunspots are also of great interest to the scientific community, acting as clues to future volatility, permitting authorities a chance to assess the condition of the Sun and its myriad of adjustments.

The concepts of “solar maximum” and “solar minimum” are key to the future of the Sun and its temperament. While the star has remained relatively peaceful over the last 150 years, a superstorm is bound to occur, likely in 2013, where C.M.E. activity will hit the Earth. However, experts cannot predict such a massive event with precision, leaving constant evaluation of Sun imperative to acquire a larger understanding of behavior, hopefully to protect us from future harm.

I, for one, welcome our new Sun overlords. I trust their stay will be most pleasant. I hear there’s a woman in New Jersey who will do anything for a tan these days.

Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) suffers from banding issues, with a few of the visual effects broadcasting rough looking gradations, which causes distraction at times. Details are acceptable, with hearty textures on interviewees and interiors, allowing a full sense of facial particulars (a plus with this idiosyncratic crew) and scientific equipment inside control rooms. Colors are agreeable, carrying pronounced ambers and yellows when displaying the essentials of the Sun, while clothing and props bring out a range of sturdy hues to liven up the viewing experience. Shadow detail is comfortable, never flattening adventures in deep space. Skintones are natural.

Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is extremely basic for a science program. Focus remains on interview audio, which carries itself crisply, capturing the excitement of scientists as they share their expertise. Voices sound natural but thin, without any distortion. Animated visuals also carry some degree of CGI nuance, with a comfortable read of movement without desired directional activity. Scoring remains in place, never stepping on other sound elements, though it carries little dramatic weight, failing to enliven the thrill of discovery as intended. It's a very simple mix, but satisfactory for this PBS effort.

Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Secrets of the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Secrets of the Sun" is jam-packed with information, most of it on the complicated side, digging deep into matters of magnetism and fusion. It's NOVA after all, and with such attention to a flood of facts and theory comes a general disregard for audience participation, especially for anyone doesn't traditionally pay close attention to such space events on a daily basis. Despite a hyperactive execution with intricate ideas, the documentary carries itself with undeniable confidence, imparting ideas about the Sun that should read as new to most viewers, while visually exploring the forbidding beauty of this scorching star with colorful pieces of animation and astonishing satellite imagery, setting up a proper front-row seat for the viewer. I just can't promise any of it will make sense.