Documentaries That Illuminate the Lives of Scientists

Description: This NOVA miniseries explains string theory, a theory that attempts to unify all of physics, through the work of physicist Brian Greene.

Fact: The series was based on Greene's book of the same name and was nominated for an Emmy.

Description: While not strictly a documentary, this biographical drama about Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician, provides an in-depth look at his life and contributions to mathematics, making it a must-watch for those interested in the personal stories of scientists.

Fact: The film stars Dev Patel as Ramanujan and Jeremy Irons as his mentor, G.H. Hardy. It was based on the book by Robert Kanigel.

Description: This documentary tells the story of the Voyager missions, launched in 1977, which are still sending back data from the edge of our solar system. It's a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration.

Fact: The film includes interviews with key figures involved in the Voyager project, including Carl Sagan. It also features the famous "Pale Blue Dot" image of Earth.

Description: Although somewhat dated, this classic series by Jacob Bronowski remains a profound exploration of human scientific and cultural evolution, offering insights into the minds of scientists throughout history.

Fact: The series was one of the first to use the term "ascent of man" to describe human progress.

Description: This documentary series traces the history of the atom, from ancient Greek philosophy to modern quantum physics, explaining how our understanding of the atom has evolved.

Fact: The series features physicist Jim Al-Khalili, who provides a clear and engaging narrative on the subject.

Description: This three-part series delves into the life and work of Charles Darwin, exploring his theory of evolution by natural selection and its impact on science and society.

Fact: The series was presented by Richard Dawkins, a prominent evolutionary biologist, who also wrote the book "The Selfish Gene."

Description: This film captures the excitement of the scientific community as they await the results from the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest particle accelerator. It's a thrilling journey into the heart of physics, exploring the quest to understand the fundamental nature of the universe.

Fact: The film features physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed, who provides a charismatic insight into the world of particle physics. It was also screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This documentary series traces the development of mathematics from ancient times to the present, highlighting key figures and their contributions.

Fact: Presented by Marcus du Sautoy, the series was well-received for its engaging presentation of complex mathematical concepts.

Description: This documentary explores the concept of chaos theory, showing how simple rules can lead to complex and unpredictable behavior in nature and science. It's a fascinating look at the underlying order in chaos.

Fact: The film was directed by David Malone, who also directed other science documentaries like "The Atom."

Description: This documentary explores the quest for artificial intelligence, focusing on the scientists and researchers trying to create machines that can think like humans.

Fact: The film includes interviews with leading AI researchers and delves into the ethical implications of AI development.