Wonders of the Solar System

This series, describing and explaining some of the extraordinary discoveries made in astronomy and our explorations of the solar system as well as our own world, ranks as one of the most entertaining and informative series of programmes I've seen in a long life of watching too much television.

While some of the images are repeated too often to maintain their initial impact, the visuals are stunning and generally essential to the narrative. The presenter, Brian Cox and most of the other contributors manage to demonstrate and explain the physics, chemistry and biology in ways that are both very rich and elegantly simple. The overall result is the sense of wonder that is promised in the title.

The most impressive feature of the series is the way that the strands are woven together, keeping life at the focus of a journey through awesome reaches of space and time. These are essentially wonders for everyone, not just physics professors. The production's faith in the intelligence of its audience is matched by the deep understanding of the subject that underlies the apparently effortless presentation.

This series is the antidote to the many formulaic, sensationalist and half baked documentaries that are increasingly dominating the schedules.