Joséphine ascended from obscurity as a child on Martinique to become the empress of France. Much of her historical fame derives from being Napoleon’s wife, but Joséphine was a…
When Deep Blue won a game against chess great Garry Kasparov, everyone wondered if human intelligence had finally met its match. But are intelligent machines really . . .…
AI promises to revolutionize just about every industry in the world. Even as its creations become widespread, concerns have been raised about how it uses human art. What are the…
Space between star systems and galaxies is immense and, in some places, nearly empty. But, does interstellar space meet the definition of a “perfect vacuum”? The quirks of quantum…
The James Webb Space Telescope has produced paradigm-shattering evidence about the universe from just 300 million years after the Big Bang. Though some are predicting the end of…
Most missing persons cases are eventually solved. But what happens when a disappearance leaves more questions than answers? Can loved ones ever truly experience “closure”?
Forensic genetic genealogy led to the conviction of the Golden State Killer in 2020. Since then, hundreds of other cases have been cracked using the same method. But is it always…
In 1924, two affluent young men kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old child. The crime shocked the nation and led to what many considered to be the trial of the century. The case…
True crime is an extremely popular genre, and the majority of its fans are women. Why are women drawn to stories about serial killers and psychopaths? The answer lies at the…
In Central Asia, more than 2,000 years ago, a nomadic people called the Scythians roamed the steppe. Shifting tribal alliances made conflict inevitable, and women were as likely…
Explore the Vikings’ multifaceted contributions to history, ranging from their prowess as warriors and traders to the cultural influence of their mythology and exploration. These…
Over 2,000 years ago, Julius Caesar recognized the deficiencies of the Roman calendar. Hooking up with an Alexandrian astronomer, he created the solar-based Julian calendar, which…
Over the course of more than 500 years, fewer than 80 men gained absolute power as rulers of the Roman Empire. The reign of some lasted decades, while others held on to authority…
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MagellanTV has dozens of new releases lined up for you to enjoy in the month of November. From JFK to sharks, Poland’s WWII “underground army,” art in North Korea, and much more,…
The month of October will see the arrival of dozens of new releases on MagellanTV. From Amazon warrior women to murders most foul, from the 1900 Paris World Fair to dangerous…
Cutting-edge technologies are providing scientists with a deepening understanding of the universe. A new MagellanTV original series brings these advances to light.
The year is at its end, and the numbers are in! These were the most popular MagellanTV documentaries and series of 2022 in seven categories: True Crime, History, Space, Nature,…
Perhaps sooner than many believe, human beings will begin colonizing the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and worlds beyond. We will take with us our human traits and needs – some geared…
One of the axioms for the search for life beyond the Earth has been “follow the water.” Perhaps scientists should broaden that to include frozen water, or ice, as recent…
In 2022, history was made when an image of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy was released. Even more momentous, the discovery confirmed the…
The night’s sky has always twinkled with stars, planets, and the occasional comet. Since they came into view, Jupiter’s moons have changed our understanding of the Solar System…
Armistice Day – now Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth – began as a solemn commemoration of the end of WWI, but now honors all who have…
Literally tens of millions of people died during World War I. Three incredibly lethal machines made their debut in the conflict, directly contributing to the appalling number of…
As the Battle of Britain commenced, the German Luftwaffe had clear advantages in numbers of aircraft, not to mention momentum after the fall of France. But, thanks to two…
WWII was a technologically advanced conflict, and recruits became unknowing test subjects in an effort to use amphetamines to create “super soldiers” on both sides of the…
In 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cut off his left ear after an argument with his friend, fellow artist Paul Gauguin. But what would have driven him to commit such an act of…
Threatened with a career-ending diagnosis of HIV, basketball legend Magic Johnson rebounded in health and in life. He made an impact by becoming a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS…
George Westinghouse was Thomas Alva Edison’s relentless competitor in the battle to establish a universal standard for transmission of electricity to the streets, homes, and…
Jesus of Nazareth is one of history’s most famous religious figures, and yet scholars and clergy alike are still undecided about the language(s) he spoke. Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek,…
He defeated Napoleon and saved Europe, but the British establishment wouldn’t acknowledge his love for the mother of his child. Admiral Nelson was smitten with Lady Hamilton.…
In retrospect, the American Civil War was inevitable. The conflict’s fundamental issue was human rights, and the basic cause was freedom. But these principles were made real by…
The history of the United States is complicated and often distressing. Public schools that ignore or gloss over the difficulties do a great disservice to the children who will…
The myth of Santa Claus began with a real-life monk named St. Nicholas, and evolved through the poetry and lore of Dutch immigrants, political propaganda during the American Civil…
The May 1968 Paris student uprising was the spark that lit a blazing conflagration throughout the nation, shutting down the country. Daniel Cohn-Bendit – “Danny the Red” – led…
Humor has been around for as long as we humans have existed. Since ancient times, cultures have shared similar ideas about what’s funny, and styles of humor have been passed down…
Is Michelangelo’s statue of David pornographic? It turns out the question isn’t new – it’s age-old and dates almost to its time of completion. Michelangelo felt differently, of…
In spring, new life is literally springing up everywhere – flowers blooming, birds chirping, and buds bursting. Across the globe, spring festivals bolster our revitalized spirit –…
Psychologist John Money pioneered the now-common practice of surgically altering the sex of infants with ambiguous genitalia. But many intersex people have suffered trauma from…
The 1900 Paris World’s Fair revealed complex conflicts between aspirations and reality. Its noble effort to highlight the cultural, industrial, and technological contributions of…
The runaway burning of fossil fuels and other human activities are contributing substantially to increased global temperatures, resulting in rapid changes to weather patterns. The…
In support of France’s May 1968 student strike, workers walked off their jobs, often occupying the factories where they worked. In many ways, this was more successful than the…
Dive into the unpredictable oceanic phenomena known as rogue waves – their causes, their risks to maritime activities, and the ongoing research into them.
To survive in the unforgiving climate of the Sahara, animals and plants have undergone remarkable adaptations. Learn more about the unique adaptations of these desert species that…
Endangered and threatened species face possible extinction. Leading the effort to save them is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which publishes the “Red…
We all know that Antarctica is a vast and frigid continent located in Earth’s southern polar region. It also happens to be our planet’s largest desert – and home to a surprising…
We’ve long believed that wolves are ruthless, bloodthirsty beasts that fight to attain or maintain their ‘alpha’ status. Well, we were wrong – packs are more like families, and a…
To survive, many bird species migrate, flying off on epic journeys twice a year. Learn more about the migrations of birds and discover the answers to some of the most common…
Shark Week premieres Sunday, July 23. And what can we expect? Plenty of chills and suspense, for sure, along with celebrity sightings and incredible cinematography. There’ll also…
Recent reports indicate an uptick in instances of whales attacking boats. Given the complicated history between humans and wild cetaceans, this new bad behavior might reveal the…
Dreams, nightmares, and night terrors. What exactly are they, and why do we have them? Oneirology – the interdisciplinary study of dreams – uses a variety of methods and…
What are dreams? From ancient cultures to philosophers and scientists, people have attempted to explain the nature of dreams. No one has found the answer.
Marriage is a global institution. Practiced for millennia, it is a bit of a contradiction. Marriage has conferred social benefits but also reflected deep-seated discriminatory…
Phobias trigger overwhelming fears that can be extremely disconcerting and debilitating to the people who suffer from them. Fortunately, there are effective therapies geared to…