Wonders of the Solar System BBC2 and BBC HD
Posted by: Richard S on 12 March 2010
Anyone else caught this?
Presented by Prof Brian Cox who I recall has posted on here in the past. Programme 1 dealt with the Sun and was excellent. A programme that had something useful to say and where all the worldwide travel and special effects actually contributed to the narrative, rather than get in the way as so often happens.
Its on the iPlayer but you really need to see it in HD for full jaw dropping effect. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Presented by Prof Brian Cox who I recall has posted on here in the past. Programme 1 dealt with the Sun and was excellent. A programme that had something useful to say and where all the worldwide travel and special effects actually contributed to the narrative, rather than get in the way as so often happens.
Its on the iPlayer but you really need to see it in HD for full jaw dropping effect. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Posted on: 12 March 2010 by gone
Looking good so far. The HD version seems to be broadcast at a better resolution than some of the so-called 'HD' programmes recently. Or maybe that's something to do with the source material. The Prof. has a good style - I also seem to remember seeing him on some lectures recently too - sthg to do with Dawkins?
Posted on: 12 March 2010 by scottyhammer
Richard,
I saw it on BBC HD and as you say it was great especially loved the total eclipse in India...isnt it funny as everyone does the same thing when the sun reappears from behind the moon - clap and cheer !
Regards, Scotty
I saw it on BBC HD and as you say it was great especially loved the total eclipse in India...isnt it funny as everyone does the same thing when the sun reappears from behind the moon - clap and cheer !
Regards, Scotty
Posted on: 12 March 2010 by BigH47
Excellent programme , well presented in actual understandable language. I think Prof Cox is well suited to his new TV role.
Apparently he has broken the LHC again!
Apparently he has broken the LHC again!
Posted on: 12 March 2010 by Mike Dudley
quote:Originally posted by Nero:
Looking good so far. The HD version seems to be broadcast at a better resolution than some of the so-called 'HD' programmes recently. Or maybe that's something to do with the source material. The Prof. has a good style - I also seem to remember seeing him on some lectures recently too - sthg to do with Dawkins?
They were both together on stage for last year's "12 lessons and carols for atheists".
"... and I did all that with a tin, some water, a thermometer and an umbrella..."
Priceless.
Posted on: 12 March 2010 by Don Hooper
Re Scotty's comment re the reaction of the crowd as the sun reappears. I was lucky enough to see totality in the west country in 1999. It is a truly magical experience. The weather was very cloudy but the clouds parted as totality started. We knew not many people saw totality in England and that made it very special. We all clapped and then a chap put on the teddie bears picknick cd. We all danced then hugged each other, it was like being a hippy back in the 60s. If you get a chance to see an eclipse do it. It does leave it's mark, you will not be the same again.
Don
Don
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Chillkram
quote:Originally posted by Don Hooper:
Re Scotty's comment re the reaction of the crowd as the sun reappears. I was lucky enough to see totality in the west country in 1999. It is a truly magical experience. The weather was very cloudy but the clouds parted as totality started. We knew not many people saw totality in England and that made it very special. We all clapped and then a chap put on the teddie bears picknick cd. We all danced then hugged each other, it was like being a hippy back in the 60s. If you get a chance to see an eclipse do it. It does leave it's mark, you will not be the same again.
Don
I was also in Cornwall, on Marazion beach actually and it was peeing down and cloudy. Thanks for rubbing it in!
Mark
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Stephen Tate
Tonight's program was just as good as last week's, absolutely brilliant.
Best bit of TV i've seen for years and i don't have a TV because of the shite that is transmitted!
regards, steve
Best bit of TV i've seen for years and i don't have a TV because of the shite that is transmitted!
regards, steve
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Chillkram
BC does a good job of finding the common denominator in his presenting style and making science interesting for the masses. I have yet to watch last week's (recorded) episode, but tonight's was fascinating and even my 10 year old son enjoyed it. Good that he's a Naimee too!
Mark
Mark
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Stephen Tate
Mark,
You can still catch last week's episode on BBC i player.
regards, Steve
You can still catch last week's episode on BBC i player.
regards, Steve
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Chillkram
Thanks Steve, I have actually recorded it on my Skyplus. I would never dream of missing any programme to do with physics/cosmology etc.
Posted on: 14 March 2010 by Stephen Tate
Doh! i see you've (recorded) it.
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by Chief Chirpa
quote:Originally posted by Chillkram:
Good that he's a Naimee too!
And one-time keyboard player in D:Ream, of course, when he was studying for his PhD!
I watched both episodes this weekend, and it's easily the best thing I've seen on tv in a while.
There's loads of 'I never knew that' moments, and yet it's all easy to take in, such as the bit about the retrograde movement of the planets. I particularly like how BC's commentary is often quite spontaneous, as in the storm-chasing part of this Sunday's episode, and especially the aurora borealis section in the first one, when he was genuinely gobsmacked by it all.
Great stuff.
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by Steve2701
Now that makes me jealous - 5g vertical climb, inverted between 55 & 60k feet. All in what has to be one of the best planes ever built -an English Electric Lightening.This guy is brilliant at explaing the whole thing. - and he gets paid for doing that. Fantastic.
We need more of this sort of stuff.
Our whole family are watching this and enjoying it.
We need more of this sort of stuff.
Our whole family are watching this and enjoying it.
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by Chillkram
quote:Originally posted by Steve2701:
Now that makes me jealous - 5g vertical climb, inverted between 55 & 60k feet. All in what has to be one of the best planes ever built -an English Electric Lightening.
It was my 'poster plane' when I was a kid. I would have loved to do that.
This evening's episode was just as gripping and fascinating as the others. I used to enjoy a bit of astronomy ever since childhood when my Dad had an 8" Newtonian reflector, but I have not kept up with developments in recent years. I was unaware of the discoveries about Titan. Stunning.
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by BigH47
Great programme great plane.
My only worry about a flight in that fabulous creation that is the English Electric Lightning was Tony Lockhart's comments about the maintenance of said plane. If it is from the same stable as the Hunter that crashed recently.
Lying on South bank at Brands Hatch during a British GP being entertained by a Concord fly past, a P51 Mustang show and EE Lighting show which finished with the Lightning standing on it's tail and going supersonic vertically.
My only worry about a flight in that fabulous creation that is the English Electric Lightning was Tony Lockhart's comments about the maintenance of said plane. If it is from the same stable as the Hunter that crashed recently.
Lying on South bank at Brands Hatch during a British GP being entertained by a Concord fly past, a P51 Mustang show and EE Lighting show which finished with the Lightning standing on it's tail and going supersonic vertically.
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by Tony Lockhart
Howard,
It WAS a Lightning that crashed recently.
Tony
It WAS a Lightning that crashed recently.
Tony
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by BigH47
That one?
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by u5227470736789439
Not so worried about the aircraft, but hopefully no was killed. Was anyone?
When someone is killed, flying antiques, however fine, I am left asking, "Why?"
On topic - Once in my life I would like to see the night-sky from the Southern Hemisphere. To see the Milky Way and see the moon differently would be a treat!
ATB from George
When someone is killed, flying antiques, however fine, I am left asking, "Why?"
On topic - Once in my life I would like to see the night-sky from the Southern Hemisphere. To see the Milky Way and see the moon differently would be a treat!
ATB from George
Posted on: 21 March 2010 by Stephen B
It would be nice to see the northern night sky from a really dark place once in while. I heard recently that the SW part of Scotland is the best place in the UK for seeing.
Posted on: 22 March 2010 by Mike Dudley
Thank goodness for BBC iPlayer. Without it, I would have had to decide between Brian Cox or David Dimbleby dancing with Gilbert and George. Tough call...
Posted on: 22 March 2010 by Steve2701
It would appear that XS 451 / ZU BEX is the one in the program and the one that crashed in 2009 at an airshow, killing the pilot.
I truly hope that it was not due to bad maintainance.
A very sad loss, and one I did not know about last night.
I truly hope that it was not due to bad maintainance.
A very sad loss, and one I did not know about last night.
Posted on: 22 March 2010 by u5227470736789439
Dear Steve,
Thanks for the info. Very sad indeed ...
ATB from George
Thanks for the info. Very sad indeed ...
ATB from George
Posted on: 22 March 2010 by JamieWednesday
I said to my wife last night, I bet that's the one that crashed and has anyone told him..?
Story is here
Story is here
Posted on: 22 March 2010 by Tony Lockhart
For those abroad so cannot access iplayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eature=youtube_gdata
A very, very lucky Mr Cox.
Tony
A very, very lucky Mr Cox.
Tony
Posted on: 23 March 2010 by Tony Lockhart
Oh to see such a sight again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eature=youtube_gdata
I doubt the RAF could even afford the fuel now.
Tony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eature=youtube_gdata
I doubt the RAF could even afford the fuel now.
Tony