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Wonders of the Solar System

RichardJBartlett

By RichardJBartlett
in The Astro Lounge

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RichardJBartlett

RichardJBartlett

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I was just wondering what folks in the UK thought about Wonders of the Solar System and, specifically, Brian Cox.

My wife and I loved the show. We thought he was a great presenter - very natural, very enthusiastic (contagiously so) and a great communicator.

Is he the English Carl Sagan? (He certainly grins a lot like Carl LOL :D)

Any thoughts?

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Nexus 6

Nexus 6

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Hi Richard,

Wonders of the Solar System was brilliant, due the fact we get very little of such programmes, on Freeview at least, made it so enjoyable.

I believe Brian Cox is now working on a new series, think this time its geared to deep space. I'm looking forward to it already.

Alan

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brantuk

brantuk

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Great presenter Brian Cox. I see him as a potentially very good successor to Sir Patrick when he eventually retires (not that I've written off Sir P by a long shot).

BC's style is relaxed, refreshing, very interesting, and obviosly the knowledge is there in abundance. WOTSS was smashing, though I'd like to see him cover a bit more detail.

Another Carl Sagan? possibly not imho - but Brians got what it takes to bring astronomy to the masses and the techies alike. Looking forward to his future stuff deffinitely :D

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Space Oddity6

Space Oddity6

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Excellent little series, really helped fuel my interest in space and generally was a factor in my decision to get my first scope.

The way he explained all the things he talked about was something my school physics teachers did not/could not do and for me there were some generally awestruck, eureka moments: when he said about the thickness of Saturn's rings being only metres deep, and explaining Mars' 'looping' orbit were eye-opening for someone like me with a burgeoning interest in astronomy.

I certainly think his style makes the subject more accessible to the public but it's just a shame programmes like his come around so infrequently.

And yes he is working on another series which I think is called Wonders of the Universe. He started on it back in May, so fingers crossed it's out soon.

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russ

russ

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We thought it was a great series. The kids have watched it twice through. And we have a Bluray copy sat in the wardrobe ready for Christmas.

I think BC is a great presenter. Very relaxed and easy to listen too. Would be a great S@N presenter one year.

Really looking forward to Wonders of the Universe in the new year. :D

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Steve 1962

Steve 1962

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I thought the whole thing was superb - the effects, the way in which Brian Cox explained things, the music - just brilliant.

Brian Cox and anyone else who can generate that much enthusiasm and interest in subjects like this deserve a massive pat on the back (if not a medal).

I heard somewhere that WOTSS was one of the most popular BBC documentary series ever.

More please BBC!

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Starblazer

Starblazer

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Brilliant program, really nice guy who takes the time to reply to messages and emails when he has a spare minute. He's doing much to bring astronomy to the foreground in the UK and is a big big fan, as we all know, of Carl Sagan.

He definitely isn't as well rounded as Carl Sagan but tbh, Carl Sagan is a hard act to follow and I doubt there will be anyone like that again any time soon.

This said, he's probably the future of Astropop in the UK :D Which cannot be a bad thing :D

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RichardJBartlett

RichardJBartlett

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WOTSS got a lot of airtime over here in the US; I think it was on the Science Channel. Typically they'll show the episodes at least twice - once for the east coast and then later for the west coast, so if you miss it, you can record it later :D

I thought it was great. It made a very refreshing change from the standard narrator/expert interviews and pretty graphics.

I especially remember the episode where he's in Oklahoma and he's totally awe-struck by the weather; I had to smile a little wryly because I lived there for three years and, as a fellow-Brit, could totally relate LOL

The thing I find interesting compared to Sagan is that they both have a very genuine and sincere child-like wonder regarding the subject matter. He got a kick out of reading the leaflet about the observatory in the Chilean mountains (the VLT? Can't remember) - especially the warning about seeing stars LOL (because of the lack of oxygen at that altitude)

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kris h

kris h

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Hi Richard,

Wonders of the Solar System was brilliant, due the fact we get very little of such programmes, on Freeview at least, made it so enjoyable.

I believe Brian Cox is now working on a new series, think this time its geared to deep space. I'm looking forward to it already.

Alan

Great program i agree with you alan not enough astronomy programmes on tv

loved the solar eclipse in the first ep i think

wish i was there to see that :D

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