zaphodb1

The Universe is a 5 part series with episode titles: The Sun God Star, Alien Worlds, The Milky Way, Black Holes and The Big Bang. Each episode highlights at least one space telescope that was used to collect the data informing the main points in that episode. The format uses extensive 'artist impression' CGI and actual archival images where possible. The delivery style is Brian Cox inspirational shtick as usual. Episodes conclude with 5 minutes of supporting quotes from relevant researchers (listed as 'vocal performers' in the credits).

Brian Cox has narrated many astronomy and science TV documentaries. This one is sufficiently devoid of technical parameters to be suitable for the general public. The only newish information is Episode 3, which contains recent images from the Gaia 3D space map.

If you don't like Brian Cox the series is also available as Nova episodes (eg Dylan Moran parody: "Look at the Nebula. Look isn't it beautiful. It's made up of millions and millions of years of things you don't understand.")

The series was a co-production with PBS, and was released ex Brian Cox as Nova Universe Revealed episodes S48E17 to 21. They used narrator Talithia Williams and more extensive use of 'Vocal Performers'. The Name of the first episode was changed to Age of Stars.

One thing that disappoints me is the treatment of alien life in science documentaries delivered by the academic scientific establishment. There is now compelling evidence that UFO's exist (Navy ship radar, Fighter Jet radar, Fighter Jet FLIR targeting camera, unspecified space based assets and the human eyeball). The scientific establishment in their TV shows talk about the possibility of life existing on alien planets, and describe all manner of theories and possibilities, but they haven't mentioned that aliens are actually probably already here and have been watching us for the last 2000 years (aliens were first reported during Roman times). Is the scientific establishment so arrogant or stupid to completely ignore the possibility? The aliens are not following a Startrek First Contact Protocol - they are not worried about staying hidden. Their actions to date have not been threatening. They will hopefully introduce themselves when our technology has improved.

BBC Horizon is Britain's premier science program, examining issues of the day underpinned by science. One criticism in the last few years, is some of the topics have been populist (eg hair care and cats).

The show first conducts a survey measuring some common vitamins and minerals in 3 volunteers and discusses the results (finds low levels in some people in the sample). Then spends time nit picking vitamin packet labels. And later attacks some of the fads associated with supplements (anti-oxidants causing deaths and herbal supplements causing liver damage).

But it largely misses the point. There is an increasing amount of chronic disease in Western countries. According to the Wikipedia, in 2006, 48% of Americans didn't get enough magnesium (not tested for in the Horizon survey) - since magnesium is linked to diabetes and heart disease. And the blood test used to assay the vitamin levels doesn't work for magnesium - a more complex test is required.

How could this happen. It turns out that magnesium is present in unprocessed grains (not fruit and vegetables). And since we eat processed foods, we miss out. For example white bread, pasta, white rice, corn flakes and potatoes contain 25% of the level of magnesium in whole grain bread. Just as magnesium is lost in processed grains, so is a bunch of other trace minerals (eg calcium, selenium, manganese and zinc etc).

It seems it's easy for busy people to miss out on important vitamins and minerals, including in preachy light weight Horizon shows these days. And it's not solved by exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables. There appears to be a choice: eat bird seed and lawn clippings, or eat normal food and take supplements.