Wonders of the Solar System

Exuberant British host Brian Cox's sense of wonder lifts this already excellent series to an even higher level. Cox, a physicist at the University of Manchester (and former professional rock keyboard player to boot) adopts a hipper and more accessible (but still reliably scientific) tone than found in the usual typically beautiful but restrained BBC science production. The five-part miniseries Wonders of the Solar System boasts state-of-the-art special effects and computer-generated graphics: in “Empire of the Sun,” for example, we see fascinatingly realistic images depicting what the luminous orb looks like from the outer reaches of the solar system—some 13 billion kilometers away—and then from Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, and so on, towards Earth. While Cox visits various interesting remote spots on our planet, from the depths of the Sea of Cortez to Chile's parched Atacama Desert, the most eye-opening sights come from the Hubble Telescope and the various rovers and probes launched into deep space in recent decades. In the “Aliens” chapter, for instance, when Cox tells us that Titan, one of Saturn's moons, features a dense atmosphere and conditions that might support life, viewers witness actual illustrative footage. Looking particularly stunning in high-definition Blu-ray, extras include two featurettes: “What on Earth is Wrong with Gravity?” and “Do You Know What Time It Is?” Sure to appeal to fans of The Universe and similar popular science fare, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)