using the * universal selector

*, body

[nyteshade]

I recently discovered some CSS that will fill the viewport with the current document at boagworld. It's this:

*, body {
margin: 0; padding: 0;
} 

#container {
display: block;
position: absolute;
min-height: 100%;
} 

#content {
display: block; 
margin-bottom: 3em;
} 

#footer {
position: absolute;
display: block;
bottom: 0;
height: 3em
} 

I understand everything here execpt the " *, body "? I mean, if you use * then it selects all elements including body right? Then why include body, it's not a descendant as used here, right? Also, wouldn't html* accomplish the same thing?
I've got a decent handle on CSS but the symbols leave me scratching my head sometimes. Thx all.

[topr8]

* means everything,

the body in the first line of code is superfluous

[nyteshade]

I thought as much, but I needed to do a brain-check, thanks!