Space Exploration: Understanding the Universe

Adi and Woops are a sort of intergalactic Wallace and Gromit—except that Adi has Spock ears and four fingers, and Woops is yellow, has antennae, and speaks in a Cockney accent. In Understanding the Universe, one of eight titles in the Space Exploration series, the skillfully rendered 3-D animated duo discuss various astronomical questions while traveling aboard their little spaceship through the stars. Woops' obsession with cookies doesn't interfere with his need to ask many questions: How are planets born? Can everyone study astronomy? How do we look at space? Adi's explanations are thorough, and while chockfull of astronomical vocabulary, presented in a very clear and conversational manner. Of course, no one's told the pair yet that Pluto isn't a planet anymore, but viewers will certainly be amused watching the two aliens discuss another dicey question: Do extraterrestrials exist? The other titles in the series are: The Earth, The Inner Planets, The Moon & Other Objects in the Sky, The Outer Planets, Space Travel, Stars, and Studying the Solar System. Recommended. Aud: I, J. (E. Gieschen)