Wonders of the Solar System

[Stu Ward]

I was gonna post some more on this thread but it has turned into girly mush

[Suzy]

Come back Stu, we will (I will anyway) try not to be girly mushy anymore - honest. I am interested to here your thoughts on the show, so please proceed.

From time to time a bit of good fun and humour breaks the monotony of so much seriousness on here, and not often do we girls get together and annoy the men.
But know that a thread with anything to do with Brian Cox will always have the same effect.

Am anxiously awaiting Craig's input of the show (pretty boy, aside)
I haven't watched it yet as I have been observing the last couple of nights and probably tonight as well, but will do so soon.

[CarlJoseph (Carl)]

Watching the first episode of this now on SBS and they've just shown the Total Solar eclipse. Quite an incredible sight indeed.

[michaellxv (Michael)]

His teeth aren't that perfect, looks like he has an overbite.

Seriously. Really enjoyed the program. One thing that occured to me when he was talking about the Voyager spaceships. We often go on about how hard it is to get stuff to the speed of light. Yet here is a 30 year old spacecraft the size of a bus sending us signals at the speed of light.

So how hard is it really Why is it we can generate photons so easily that travel at this speed yet we can't get even the smallest particle close?

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

What a great show.

Ok ladies of this forum..... Tell me what does Brian have that say Leon or Warren doesn't ?

Adrian

Sorry Leon and Warren

[Benno18 (Ben)]

WOW!!!!!!
Really impressed!!!!
Love all the information given through out the doco. Was going to let my 5 year ols stay up a bit and watch. good thing i didnt. His mind would have been blown away!!!!
More impotantly. . . . . . Brian scrubs up quite well!!!!

cant wait for next week

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by AdrianF

What a great show.

Ok ladies of this forum..... Tell me what does Brian have that say Leon or Warren doesn't ?

Adrian

Sorry Leon and Warren

Teeth. Not really, apologies as well.

I watched the program. The toothy one waxed lyrical this time, and reminded me of Carl Sagan, nobly gazing off into the distance. However Sagan's hooter was bigger.

Overall I thought it was a good program, and some of the photography there was terrific.

Cheers

[Liz]

Yes, really enjoyed it too, lots of good info. Loved the aurora segment, how beautiful are they!! Brian seemed to be genuinely in awe re eclipse and aurora, and enthusiastic about what he was doing. Bring on next week!!

[Stu Ward]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

His teeth aren't that perfect, looks like he has an overbite.

Seriously. Really enjoyed the program. One thing that occured to me when he was talking about the Voyager spaceships. We often go on about how hard it is to get stuff to the speed of light. Yet here is a 30 year old spacecraft the size of a bus sending us signals at the speed of light.

So how hard is it really Why is it we can generate photons so easily that travel at this speed yet we can't get even the smallest particle close?

I think you are slightly confused here

Its easy to get photons to travel at the speed of light, its the only speed they will travel at ( In a vacuum ) Turn on your lounge light, hey presto, light speed !!
It is also possible to get very small particles to travel at 99.999999% of the speed of light. The LHC does exactly this, but that is not the speed of light.

Voyager is sending back signals via radio frequency ( radio is information, therefore just another form of light )

Stu

[GrampianStars (Rob)]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

....... One thing that occured to me when he was talking about the Voyager spaceships. We often go on about how hard it is to get stuff to the speed of light. Yet here is a 30 year old spacecraft the size of a bus sending us signals at the speed of light.

Well after 30 years the Voyager spaceships are still only 15 light hours away
not very far at all IMO less than 1 spin of the earth

[CraigS]

Well, overall … an excellent documentary. A fresh look at at topic we've all seen multiple times over, with an innovative script, which I found took a very Earth-centric view of the Sun's properties. Interesting.

This is a photographer's documentary with awesome, high definition timelapse sequences of the night sky and the Aurora Borealis. At times, Cox (supposedly) even gets out his camera and telescope, to demonstrate the salient points.

Its interesting how even Cox's simple experiments (eg: the rise in temperature of a can of water in Death Valley), give an 'earthy' feel to physical phenomenon, perhaps appealing to the UK audience's carefully conditioned sensitivity to topical environmental issues.

I think they lost the concept of scale in the opening sequences, by attempting to describe the size of the Solar System in kms ! For me, it wasn't until much later, when they introduced the concept of Astronomical Units, that I could relate to any of this preamble commentary.

The eclipse sequence was probably the best I've ever seen. I think they must've had extremely fortunate weather conditions to capture these extraordinary shots. The ESO Atacama Desert sequences made me want to be there. Fantastic.

Overall .. a great documentary propped up by top-notch photography … and that's in spite of my perception of Cox not having changed his attire, or combed his hair, once throughout the whole episode .. … (I'll have to go back and have another look to confirm that .. and those fake teeth really do get in the way at times).

Cheers

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by AdrianF

What a great show.

Ok ladies of this forum..... Tell me what does Brian have that say Leon or Warren doesn't ?

Adrian

Sorry Leon and Warren

Dirty clothes . I'm sure Warren & Leon's clothes are clean and fresh. (my last paragraph will make more sense).
If I say anything else I might get into trouble. Especially since I promised Stu I'd try to behave. However, I must yet remain polite and respond to posts as I just have done so with Adrian.

Okay, on a serious note...
Watched the show. If I'm to be utterly honest, I spent the first 10mins rewinding constantly as I wasn't concentrating on what he was saying. Once I got past all that, I got hugely involved in it. Fantastic show! I enjoyed the earth based perspective and the physics experiments Brian showed us relative to what he was talking about. The part where he was in the desert after he'd done the experiment and he stands up having the sun silhouette next to him was incredible- he wasn't just talking about the sun, he was out there with it, carrying out experiments with it. Same with the Milky Way- he was out there with it, with a telescope talking to us. Graphics were fantastic, as was those amazing images what our sun looks like from Pluto, Saturn, Mars, Earth & Mercury. The Mars one in particular was a goody as it showed a picture of our sun from the Martian landscape as taken by one of the rovers. The solar eclipse in India was another beauty - great footage.

And here's something interesting... My 20yr old daughter (Chrissy) ends up watching many astro docos with us (some by choice, others not ), but she really really enjoyed this show. She watched it intently like I've never seen her do with other docos, and because of this show, now understands how molecular clouds form. Perhaps because he draws us in with his way of presenting is the difference.
I must say I was skeptical about him as a presenter, I haven't really taken to other stuff his done (watched, but not kept his work), and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the interaction between him and us - he was teaching us, not just talking to us.

Now, for the downside- through the whole documentary (I watched it twice and several times in first 10mins on top of that, remember- so I noticed- he only changed his clothes twice Eeeeow! Bet he still smells nice though, he looks like he would.

Bring on next weeks show!!!

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

How did my and Leon's laundry come in to this I don't recall being one of the people casting aspersions on his clothes changing or general hygene. Or was it my threat to inform your potential stalkie ie (John) of your new love..

It was a great first episode I cant wait for the next one I will be on tender hooks I thought it was the best doco I have ever seen

[Stu Ward]

I'm not on Commission honest, but

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonders-Sola...9051184&sr=8-2

Works out about $20 delivered for the whole box set

And Universe is out in 2 days time too

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonders-Univ...9051275&sr=1-2

I'm getting my order in

BTW, did you know that he used to be a Pop Star ?

British band called D-Ream
Anyone know "Things can only get better" ?
Well he was the Keyboard player

Stu

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

I will be recording on my PC and putting it on DVD my self

[shelltree (Shelley)]

I "accidently" downloaded a 3 part series on BBC called Stargazing Live and who happens to be the co-host but Professor Brian Cox! Looking swoon-worthy of course It was like a show for amatuer astronomers or those who have an interest in the night sky but don't know how to go about it. Was really down to earth and basic. Even had an astronomer standing in a field like "unfortunately it's cloudy...". Was definitely something I could relate to!

Sooo, I sat at home sick all afternoon and watched all of it And now I'm trawling youtube for some new Brian Cox interviews etc. to watch.

I'm not obsessed...honest.

[CraigS]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Now, for the downside- through the whole documentary (I watched it twice and several times in first 10mins on top of that, remember- so I noticed- he only changed his clothes twice

Ewwww … gross !

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by Stu Ward

BTW, did you know that he used to be a Pop Star ?
Stu

I know... that's what makes him extra dreamy to us girls ... good looks, rock star status and astro physicist. I only found out about the rock star status a few months ago and then it made sense because he looks it .

Originally Posted by supernova1965

How did my and Leon's laundry come in to this I don't recall being one of the people casting aspersions on his clothes changing or general hygene. Or was it my threat to inform your potential stalkie ie (John) of your new love.http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....ilies/rofl.gif.

Well I had to come up with something quick after Adrian dobbed you in didn't I, and make you'll look good at the same time (refer post no.45).
J.T. has my heart, Brian is pure eye candy. Hmm, brain candy too.

See Stu - the boys won't let me leave it alone already . I try
Think they enjoy watching the women going goo goo.

By the way, my daughter Chrissy said to tell you'll she likes the way he smiles when he talks.

[CraigS]

Originally Posted by shelltree

I "accidently" downloaded a 3 part series on BBC called Stargazing Live and who happens to be the co-host but Professor Brian Cox! Looking swoon-worthy of course It was like a show for amatuer astronomers or those who have an interest in the night sky but don't know how to go about it. Was really down to earth and basic. Even had an astronomer standing in a field like "unfortunately it's cloudy...". Was definitely something I could relate to!

Sooo, I sat at home sick all afternoon and watched all of it And now I'm trawling youtube for some new Brian Cox interviews etc. to watch.

I'm not obsessed...honest.

Shelley .. I'm … well … 'disappointed'.

I thought you were a Lawrence Krauss woman !!
How fickle !!


Cheers

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by shelltree

I "accidently" downloaded a 3 part series on BBC called Stargazing Live and who happens to be the co-host but Professor Brian Cox! Looking swoon-worthy of course It was like a show for amatuer astronomers or those who have an interest in the night sky but don't know how to go about it. Was really down to earth and basic. Even had an astronomer standing in a field like "unfortunately it's cloudy...". Was definitely something I could relate to!

Sooo, I sat at home sick all afternoon and watched all of it And now I'm trawling youtube for some new Brian Cox interviews etc. to watch.

I'm not obsessed...honest.

I'd like to see it, can I have that link Shelley?

Hope you feel better soon {hugs}.