TIME AND THE UNIVERSE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 34, Issue 873, 27 April 1956, Page 27

TIME AND THE UNIVERSE

E are told constantly these days by scientists, that within a century, possibly less, the first space ship will leave for the moon. And reflecting on the technological advances of the last quarter century we find it quite easy to believe this prediction, Few events in history will equal in. importance this first flight, when man, chained seemingly for ever to one planet and one given order of things, attains the comparative freedom of the universe. An imaginative interpretation of this future event entitled Exploring the Unknown will be heard from all ZB stations at 10.30 p.m. on Sunday, May 6. This programme consists ‘of a narrative given musical emphasis by a choir and orchestra. First the take-off, and later a landing at Space Station Terra 1; lastly a visit to the planet Venus, where the explorers are welcomed joyously, then given a sad farewell on their return to their home planet Earth, Exploring the Unknown was written by Rip Van Ronkle, and features the Voices of Walter Schumann. Preceding the above programme, in ZB Sunday Showcase, on May 6, at 9.35 p-m., an NZBS production, Second Thoughts, will be broadcast. This programme, which was written and produced by Allan Sleeman, is of one hour duration and traces the development of man’s time sense from prehistory to the present day. Paralleling this study of man’s methods to measure and understand time is an interpretation of it as a ruling social force, a challenge from environment where man, geared by nature to move at four miles an hour, now travels at 1200.