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Shot 33 / 6:11–6:31Select a shot, or shift-click to select multipleSelect a shot, or double-tap to select multiple

Heavenly Bodies

10 min 8 sec/64 shots

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A man sitting in a garden watches an object fall, introducing the idea that objects do not simply fall but are pulled toward Earth by gravity. Intertitles and animated models explain that gravity holds Earth together and governs the motions of Earth, the Moon, and other celestial bodies. Diagrams trace curved orbital paths, while images of a globe and the cratered Moon show these bodies from imagined viewpoints in space.

The film then turns to the night sky, stating that about 6,000 stars are visible to the naked eye. A domed model of the sky demonstrates how people group bright stars into recognizable constellations. Lines connect stars to identify figures including the Big Dipper, or Great Bear, and Auriga.

Provenance and rights

Original producer: Unknown
Collection: Prelinger Archives
Original title: Heavenly Bodies
Date: Unknown
Original link: Open on Internet Archive
Rights: public_domain

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