Wonders of the Universe - your reviews

I can honestly say that "wonders of the universe" has been one of the best shows I've ever seen.

The ease with which Brian Cox communicates even some of the more complicated laws of physics is astounding. I had the book on pre-order as soon as possible, and having read it now am even more inspired.

The worst news is that the shows allocated time of BBC i-player has now run out, so i can't stay up to the early hours of the morning immersing myself in the world of astrophysics.. unless i stick my head out the window and have a look about..

I am sure there will be another "wonders of.." series or something to a similar effect, and I for one am already excited. Who thought a TV show could affect your thoughts about a future career so much?!

When I'm sitting in some isolated observatory watching out for comets in 30 years time, I will have noone but Brian Cox to thank.

Amazing show. Amazing presenter. Next series please?

Ah, I'm distraught at discovering that the iplayer is no longer showing Brian Cox's wonderful Wonders of the Universe! Since the series started I have been enthralled, watching it, and then re-watching it on the iplayer, and so delighted that they kept it available for longer than the usual seven days.
But why is it so engrossing? I've been mulling over several aspects of its appeal...

One is Sheridan Tongue's gorgeous, haunting music score, with its expansive sound, brushed over at points with unexpectedly delicate piano notes that fit poignantly with Prof. Cox's descriptions, as he announces "new stars being born from the remains of dead ones... and [how] it's from this universal process of death and rebirth that we emerged..." [from episode 2, Stardust]

The incredible accessibility of the information presented is a major strongpoint. My five year old keeps asking me to bring it up again on iplayer! Prof Cox repeatedly draws the profound from the familiar, making us rethink our own perceptions, such as when he held up the wedding ring and described that every ounce of gold had been "actually forged in the death of a distant star, millions of lightyears away, billions of years ago." [Stardust]

Another winning feature is the dazzlingly diverse range of locations visited to illustrate the scientific concepts. From the lonely grandeur of the crumbling glacier, to the lofty limestone Himalayas formed from sea coral, to the patient agelessness of the sea turtles' annual spawning ground which they have been visiting for 100 million years - our breath is taken away, and we are left marvelling anew at the splendour of our planet.

But for me personally, the crucial allure of this series is the beauty of the spoken prose, mirroring the beauty of the Cosmos that is being explained and unfolded to us:

"From the primordial cloud of gas and cosmic dust, Gravity forged the stars. It sculpted the planets and moons, and set them in orbit around the newly formed suns. And Gravity connects these star systems together in vast galaxies, and steers them on their journey through unbounded space" [from episode 3, Falling.]

More specifically, it it Brian Cox's evident passion for his subject as he teases out for us the mysterious laws of physics in language we can understand, language that thrills us like poetry:

"when we look out into space we are looking into our own origins, because we are truly children of the stars, and written into every atom and every molecule of our bodies is the entire history of the universe"

How can we not agree to his resounding conclusion, as he describes how all the pieces that make up everything we love were "transformed in the hearts of stars or created in their firey deaths. And when you die, those pieces will be returned to the universe in the endless cycle of death and rebirth...what a story, what a majestic story."[Stardust] Amen to that!

I live in hope of a follow-up series reaching us very soon!

Brian Cox’s series has opened an innovative and fascinating way of looking at astronomy, it provides an informative intuitive guide to all cosmology enthusiasts both experienced and those who want to develop a deeper understanding about astrophysics, as well as teachers and students (such as myself). He has explained many concepts of the universe helping us to understand, from how stars are born and how they die, exo-planets black holes and distant galaxies also how our size in comparison to the universe makes us seem almost negligible and yet we as a species managed to almost grasp the knowledge of the existence of our universe, time and ultimately us. In addition I really liked the stunning imagery, videos and photographs of the different features the universe has to offer spell bounds you with wonder and marvel, juxtaposed with Brian Coxes calm and collective voice which carefully explains the different theories (sometimes some of them are quite complex!) that lay behind our universe, as well as collating and presenting his own ideas which makes this a truly inspiring and exciting series to watch.

The Wonders of the Universe is a real eye opener and shows you things and places that you didnt know exist. It definitely has the WOW factor.

This is a fantastic series Well told by Dr Brian Cox. An enjoyable series for the whole family with a fantastic music score and great easy to understand information.

Dr Cox makes you want to know more

More programmes like this please

A fascinating series which is suitable for the whole

family.What will Brian Cox be presenting next we all

wonder.

i would like a copy because the series was amazing!!!!!

Superb series puts a new perspective and dimension on the universe dealing with questions that always puzzled me and giving Mr Cox given his own unique narration on the true wonders of our universe

Really enjoyed this programme and Brian Cox keeps you interested by presenting information to you in a way thats easy to understand. It's a great show for young veiwers too, something we like watching as a whole family. My son in particular has, through this very programme, taken to reading up more and more about the world we live in, the wonders and beauty of it. It gets a 10/10 from me and the rest of my household!

An excellent series explained in an easily understood
manner by Prof.Brian Cox. There was much to learn and more
still to wonder about; and many mysteries were very clearly
explained. This presenter improves with each successive
series; and his ability to enthrall his viewers, in a
seemingly effortless way, is most impressive. We can only
hope there are further series planned.

I love Astronomy and Prof. Brian Cox has re-ignited my enthusiasm. Only he has been able to make me really understand the "Red Shift". Every program he does is fantastic, well researched, eloquently explained and beautifully illustrated.

great would love to watch it again and see all the bits i missed first time round.

Well I didn't get to the see the series but I'd like to! Not much of a comment I know :)

i would love to win this i have always wondered about this!! pleaseseeeeeee

I cant coment as its not a series I have seen, but me and my daughter would both love to watch it. Looks Fascinating!

Great series

I'm almost as fascinated by Brian Cox as I am by the content. He's quirky as 'get out'.

I have never been one for science but this series has really captured my imagination.The photos are stunning and the way information is portrayed is in a way us mere mortals understand.

Prof. Brian Cox has such a down to earth approach to this vast subject and I was astounded at the depth of his knowledge. I just wish that this kind of inspirational programme was available years ago, when I was choosing a career.

"Wonders of the Universe" did make me wonder if, in all the universe, earth alone holds intelligent life.

The programme both added to and enhanced "The Wonders of the Solar System" and the two complement each other.

Another extraordinary series presenting up to date information about our universe, the stars and the as yet unknown wonders that surround us. As a big lover of The Sky At Night, The Universe, and Prof. Brian Cox's previous series Wonders of the Solar System, Wonders of the Universe expanded my knowledge and understanding with the latest discoveries, thoughts and ideas. Will we all end our days in a cold dark ever expanding universe or will it all collapse back into another 'big bang', is the universe finite or infinite? i dont know, but i love the theories and efforts to try and find out. is there life out there? undoubtably yes, is it intelligent life? possibly/probably, can we create and expand worm holes and travle enormous light years distances in a matter of hours?? i'd love to think so, are there other dimensions to the universe.. other universes side by side like slices of bread in a sandwich? i really dont know, but i await for more series such as this to enlighten, to prophesise, to dream of what is and what might be.....

This had us all talking about physics in the pub - a first, I think, and I imagine that was exactly the intention behind the series. It did seem a bit lavish with the locations compared to Wonders of the Solar System, but the amazing backgrounds did reinforce the impression that the astonishing things Prof Cox was telling us really were wonders.

Some traditions on television haven't changed in recent years, despite the growth in technology and endless possibilities offered by new media. Saturday night is the night for the big family shows, aimed to give the kids something to look forward to on the night when they can stay up later and for adults to glance at mindlessly before they open a bottle of wine or nip down the pub for last orders. Similarly, Sunday is the when most programmes appear to be designed to lull you into a cosy/lethargic sleep ready for the new week ahead.
There are exceptions to this rule, and last years Wonders of the Solar System was one. Finally a show that was to the mind what roast beef and potatoes are to the stomach on the 7th day.

This year, Wonders of the Universe pushed those boundaries still further. I'd be telling a lie if I said I now felt confident enough to deliver a lecture on space time as a result, but when you are swept away with the passion Brain Cox has for his subject, you are at least left with a feeling that this is something you'd definitely want to explore further.

BBC at it's best, delivering interesting and challenging programmes not just a basic beginners guide. More like this please! Bring on the next series from Prof Cox.

I would like to comment that Brian Cox is an excellent presenter for Wonders of the Universe. His passion shows how entralled he is with his love for the Universe

Having looked forward to the new series for some time, it has certainly lived up to my expectations.

In HD the visuals are superb and Brians enthusiasm for the subjects covered is obvious.

I think the varied locations work really well, there are plenty of docs that just use talking heads and CGI, so this and the Solar System series have been refreshing.

The BBC at its best, just keep Rupert Murdoch and crew away or the next series will be hosted by Kerry Katona!

'Wonders' is a truly inspiring show. It has encouraged me, a pupil studying sciences at school, to want to pursue a career in physics or perhaps astrophysics.
The way in which Brian explains himself really allows you to understand,
And above all, some of the stuff he says is just mind boggling.
He's really made me look at physics as a subject in a whole new light...
I highly anticipate each episode and thoroughly recommend watching, particularly readers of focus like myself.
Even if you aren't huge on science, you're sure to walk away fascinated about something or other.
Wonders of the Universe is a truly amazing, I can think of no better way to spend an hour of your Sunday night;it will leave you thinking about existence for hours.
Well done Professor Brian Cox, consider the fabric of my mind well and truly warped!

Professor Brian Cox' television series is fantastic and I am so please he has just won two TV awards. He is a natural, so very interesting, and you can't help getting absorbed. He explains everything so well my young daughter, who is 7, can understand and she has developed an interest in the solar systems and universe. I still wonder, though, about what is at the end of the universe (if there is and end!)

Love watching this with my kids as we always learn something new. even if they dont completely understand the whole thing it is a good thing to watch

I love the way Brian Cox makes even difficult concepts easy to understand.

This is my all time favourite show, Brian Cox is just amazing at explaining what goes on up there! I waited all year for Wonders of the Solar System and that too is just as good! I love it!

Whilst this isn't something I'd normally sit and watch, my husband was watching it and so I began to watch, but was soon captivated by Dr. Cox and his "science lesson". He explained everything so well and the programme was well planned with good variety and excellent photography and footage. I look forward to watching the rest of the series.

Excellent tv series, makes science so much more interesting and explains everything so well. Captivating tv and brilliant photographs.

Its educational and you learn something new all the time. It would be wonderful to win this and be able to watch it with my Granddaughter who would love it.

I love this series and owning on DVD means that I could watch it as often as I like.

Dr Brian Cox takes an enormous, head splitting subject and makes it appeal to all ages. It is one of the few programs that the whole family sit down and watch. It fasinates the little ones, prompts questions from the 12 year old and enthralls my husband and I, who both have science degrees.

Brian Cox would even make watching paint dry interesting - love him

Absolutely fantastic series, No secondary school in any English speaking country should miss this. Brian is so passionate the way he delivers the content of this remarkable BBC production. A program well worth the licence fee!

So far I've watched each episode and it is mazing what i've learnt, i also enjoy it alot becasue i am into cosmolgy and how the universe is structerd, Brian Cox does know how to put some of the most complicated ideas and theories into a simple understandable way which everyone understands.

Wonders of the universe is certianly my most favourite science show on TV, i read the 'Wonders of the Universe 50 questions' chapter with total intrest and enthusiasm.

But one thing I still want to know is: How can the big bang happen without time being before the big bang, when everything to do with the laws of time and physics got created after the big bang actually happend?

His approach to the wonders of the universe are poetic to say the least. He introduces the Universe as a decodable mystery and explains how it all works. A true genius that I have a current "Bromance" with.

Compulsive watching,he brings clarity and easy to understand explanations to a potentially cerebal subject to understand. He gently guides you through subjects scientist and professors have been mulling over for years as easilly as if you where crossing the road.Whens the next series.