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Topic: BBC Two: Wonders of the Solar System
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icarkie
Member Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 02-27-2010 02:03 PM
   
Just to let our UK astronomy members on this site know there is a five-part series on Sunday 7th March BBC Two (9pm) called Seven Wonders of the Solar System. Planet Earth is a stunning planet, with spell-binding natural wonders and the only life known in the Solar System. But it doesn't exist in magnificent isolation. The Space Age has brought new worlds of wonder into view. Dramatic images sent back by a fleet of probes, orbiters and landers have proved these worlds to be more spectacular than we ever imagined.Physicist Professor Brian Cox ventures to some of the most extreme locations on Earth - including the tallest mountain, the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and the world's driest desert - to paint a dazzling picture of a Solar System we are only now beginning to understand. |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 02-27-2010 06:25 PM
Saw this advertised on BBC today...I have to say it looks very good, I'm definitely going to be tuning in! |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 02-28-2010 10:02 AM
Things can only get better!  |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-28-2010 11:51 AM
Yep, difinitely worth watching! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 03-08-2010 10:27 AM
Yes it was a very good documentary, just pity he didn't mention the Italian astronomer Pietro Angelo Secchi who was a pioneer in spectroscopy and was the first to realise that our Sun is a star. Together with the "Star" episode in BBC's series "The Planets" some great multi-media.Any idea which spacecraft filmed the Earth's auroras? Looking forward to the 2nd episode... |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-16-2010 07:20 AM
It's the best documentary series I've watched on the BBC in years. Incidentally, Professor Brian Cox, the presenter, was also science adviser for the sci-fi movie "Sunshine". |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-16-2010 02:18 PM
I've watched the first two episodes of this series and I have to say it is excellent.Brian Cox does a fantastic job presenting it and I will certainly continue tuning in every Sunday evening. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-16-2010 02:35 PM
Excellent series. Brian Cox is a very knowledgeable guy and coupled with a nice easy delivery style he's very watchable. Very similar to the programmes presented by Iain Stewart.Looking forward to next week. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-27-2010 12:55 PM
Did anyone in the UK watch Brian Cox promoting "Wonders of the Solar System" on 'Friday Night with Jonathon Ross'? |
StarDome
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posted 03-27-2010 01:33 PM
Got to agree with Steve, Brian is easy on the ear and eye, and as good as Iain Stewart is at presenting Geology.Both very good communicators of Science. Wish these two had been giving me lectures when I did my degree! |
paul prendergast
Member Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 03-27-2010 01:45 PM
I have watched it with great pleasure easy to follow and made interesting with presenters laid back style. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-27-2010 01:51 PM
Not to forget Brian's previous career and brush with fame as the keyboard player in the band D:Ream. Who remembers their hit 'Things can only get better'? |
StarDome
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posted 03-27-2010 02:53 PM
Remember it well, as it was a friend of mine's walk on music, you may have heard of him? Keith Deller |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-27-2010 03:06 PM
Andy, yes I remember Keith well. The 'golden age' of darts! Lowe, Deller, Bristow, Wilson, Lazarenko!! |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 03-27-2010 04:28 PM
Brian Cox is good, but think Carl Sagan and Cosmos was better as was his Christmas lectures to the Royal Institute. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-27-2010 04:32 PM
Fair point, but things are of their age. Remember, Cosmos was 30 years ago (!!) |
Space Emblem Art
Member Posts: 194
From: Citrus Heights, CA - USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-27-2010 05:25 PM
Steve, Thanks for making me, and maybe all of us, feel really old with your comment about Cosmos being 30 yrs. ago. (LOL) Reading that just hit me in the face that it was that long ago. I still have VHS tapes of that show which I recorded on the (at that time) recently invented and new-fangled video cassette recorder. It's just sad that Carl Sagan left us so soon. He was such a great promoter of things space. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 03-28-2010 03:13 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Space Emblem Art:
It's just sad that Carl Sagan left us so soon. He was such a great promoter of things space.
Carl's Christmas lectures to the Royal Institution are available for viewing on their web site. One has to register, but it's free. Log on and search for Carl Sagan. His explanation of Mars and Viking are exceptional. |
StarDome
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posted 03-28-2010 04:28 AM
Sagan was my hero and inspiration growing up being interested in space and astronomy.Cosmos, was and still remains one of the best space programes ever made. I still watch it now and see how far ahead of it's time it was. Things have changed that's true but a lot of it still holds up even today. It takes someone special to be able to present science in a way that people understand, Sagan had that ability in spades. If I can aim to be a fraction as good as he was when I present my lectures I am happy. I have a Sagan-signed copy of Cosmos that I cherish dearly. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-29-2010 03:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
Brian Cox is good, but think Carl Sagan and Cosmos was better as was his Christmas lectures to the Royal Institute.
Totally agree. Cosmos was on a different plane: assuming that the viewers had a higher level of comprehension, without the need for ketchup-and-mustard-bottle-based solar system explanations! |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-30-2010 02:17 PM
I think the mustard and ketchup bottles set up was a good simple explanation to attract newly interested viewers into the wonders of space. Yes I saw Brian Cox on Jonathan Ross's show and he is a brilliant advertisement for our subject, having a great sense of humour and personality and at the same time getting his message across. A superb series to interest everyone.I would love to see the Carl Sagan Cosmos again. It does seem a long time ago now. When did he do his last Christmas lecture?
Oh yes Andy, I remember Keith Deller too. I hope he is well. |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-31-2010 01:54 AM
While it is true that Prof Cox is an easily-accessible and entertaining presenter, and that Carl Sagan made Astronomy cool to a whole generation, let's not forget Sir Patrick Moore: he has 'carried the fire' of Astronomy for 50 years in the UK and must have been the inspiration for hundreds of thousands of neophytes.... |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-31-2010 11:16 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David Bryant:
let's not forget Sir Patrick Moore: he has 'carried the fire' of Astronomy for 50 years in the UK
Indeed. But who should takeover presenting 'Sky at Night' after Sir Patrick?Brian Cox? Or perhaps Myleene Klass, who is studying for a degree in Planetary Science (and was once a guest on 'Sky at Night')? |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-01-2010 03:30 AM
Surely it's going to be Richard Hammond or James May - they appear on virtually everything else and seem to be instant experts, without too much challenging depth.  |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-01-2010 06:35 AM
Not sure how well versed James May is in astronomy. But I enjoyed his excellent BBC programme "At The Edge Of Space". |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 04-01-2010 06:39 AM
Whatever happened to Helen Cooper? |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-01-2010 06:55 AM
I think you mean Heather Couper. Yes, she would be a very good choice. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-02-2010 08:21 AM
No-one could replace Sir Patrick Moore, a true "knight of the sky" but if Myleene Klass, who has both beauty and brains, gets her degree in planetary science, she could be a suitable successor. She is (sorry about this) a real klass act. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-02-2010 09:53 AM
Maybe our 'own' Andy G would fancy the job!Are you ready for your screentest Andy? |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 04-02-2010 12:10 PM
Not wanting to shatter anyone's dreams, but the word on the street is that Sky at Night will finish when Sir Patrick shrugs off the mortal coil! |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-02-2010 05:29 PM
I think Sky at Night should finish if it is without Patrick, it wouldn't be the same without him. But the BBC should continue some kind of monthly Astronomy programme in its place.Anyway, back to the original purpose of coming to this thread, Amazon in the UK are now listing the DVD of this series, its due for release on April 12th. |
StarDome
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posted 04-05-2010 11:44 AM
Thanks Steve, I don't actually recall having any such dreams nor actually saying I wanted to take over David.I totally agree with Adam, et al... once Patrick goes, then Sky At Night should finish in it's current format. I am sure though, Patrick will have a say in that before he dies. After all as Patrick tells me there has never been a true "contract" between him and the BBC for the show. Having spent time with Patrick at his home Farthings, I know how highly he holds Chris in high esteem (DON'T pick me up on spelling) but then he has known Chris since he was very young. I don't think Chris has the charisma or ability to present on TV that is required for it to continue. I also know Pete Lawrence very well who appears regularly on the show I usually call and see Pete for a cuppa before going round to see Patrick. Chris is a top academic and a really nice bloke when I have met him, but he doesn't have what it takes in my opinion to take over from Patrick, no one ever will. Maybe Brian Cox would be a better choice in a newer format program? I would like to know the sources you have that say the program is going to end when Patrick can't do it any longer, and I can discuss it with him and get his view. Keith D. is doing well, he won the second "legends of darts" last year (I went to the circus tavern as his guest last year with my son) and I notice that he and big Cliff, and Bobby G. are to appear at an autograph event later this year too. I first met Keith and his wife when I was lecturing on the QE-2. |
Martin Hall
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posted 04-05-2010 01:47 PM
I'll say one thing for Andy, he always gives fantastic lectures. As was his lecture "Impacts" he gave my society the other month.Andy has given my society many lectures in the past and will always be welcome in the future. |
StarDome
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posted 04-05-2010 01:49 PM
Thanks for the kind words Martin, I am glad you and your members enjoyed the lecture. |
Martin Hall
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posted 04-05-2010 02:04 PM
At the end of the day astronomical societies need guys like you on the lecture circuit Andy.That's why I've already got you booked for 2011 and your lecture "3D Tour of the Universe." |
StarDome
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posted 04-05-2010 02:09 PM
Thanks for the encouragement. I am looking forward to giving the "3D tour" lecture, it will be an adventure. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 04-05-2010 04:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by StarDome:
Thanks for the encouragement.
That reminds me Andy, lost any SRBs recently? |
StarDome
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posted 04-05-2010 05:14 PM
Funnily enough Rick no. Though I once recall a lecturer telling the audience that the SRBs fell into the Gulf of Mexico... a little geography issue there me thinks! |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-05-2010 05:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by StarDome:
Thanks Steve, I don't actually recall having any such dreams nor actually saying I wanted to take over David.
Andy, no, I don't recall you mentioning you ever thought of presenting Sky at Night or you ever wanting to, my comments were tongue-in-cheek, as indeed were your comments about my presenting abilities! I'm sure I would go to pieces completely if placed in such a position and have a healthy respect for those who are able to do so. Nice to hear Keith D. is still on the circuit and apologies to Bobby G. who I missed off my list of classic darts 'aces'! |
StarDome
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posted 04-05-2010 05:35 PM
Steve, I know it was which is why I responded. Actually, I'd love to have a listen to you in all seriousness, relating your stories of meeting astronauts and cosmonauts. I will look forward to talking to you in a couple of weeks in Pontefract at the Ed Mitchell event. Make sure you come and say hello! You know, one of the things I enjoy about doing the work for Explore, is that I can sit and listen to hardened travellers and be educated about the places that they have visited and experience they have had, I never get bored of that and it is something I do really enjoy. Look forward to having a chat soon. |
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