Rain Bombs

I have seen these in the desert southwest, whose big skies often let you see the weather in all directions. I saw a rain bomb drop onto Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park years ago, and snapped the photo I used for the product cover.

With climate destabilization and warming, rain bombs are likely to increase in frequency and intensity.

RAIN BOMBS at TPT

An invisible, unpredictable atmospheric force is wreaking havoc across the globe, sinking superyachts and bringing down planes. Follow scientists as they race to understand these catastrophic weather events, exploring how they form, what causes their devastating impacts, and how we might someday learn to predict them. From high-tech simulations and drone expeditions into thunderclouds to possible links with climate change, join investigators on the cutting edge of research to discover what's truly behind these terrifying "rain bombs" and how we can protect ourselves from their growing power. 

Return to the Moon

NOVA premiered this episode less than a week after the Integrity capsule splashed down. That's as "breaking news/ripped from the headlines" as it gets for NOVA.

RETURN TO THE MOON at TPT

A half-century after American astronauts walked on the Moon, NASA and its international partners are taking the dream of Apollo a giant step further. In the coming years, the Artemis missions – named after Apollo's twin sister in Greek mythology – aim to bring astronauts back to the Moon and establish a lunar space station for scientific and commercial exploration. Follow the four members of the Artemis II crew as they embark on a perilous 10-day journey to orbit the Moon, venturing beyond Earth orbit for the first time since Apollo and farther into the Solar System than any humans have gone before. And get an inside look at the preparations needed to overcome the extreme engineering challenges of human-crewed spaceflight, all the way from launch to splashdown.

Mammal Origins

 

MAMMAL ORIGINS at TPT

Uncover the surprising ancient origins of mammals, a story that began long before the dinosaurs' reign. Surveying Earth's tumultuous past reveals how some of our earliest ancestors, the therapsids—creatures that looked like reptiles but were starting to develop mammalian traits—survived multiple global catastrophes. Through remarkable adaptations like burrowing and the emergence of warm-bloodedness, they forged a lineage that persevered against all odds. Fascinating fossil clues and cutting-edge science reveal how a small, resilient group of animals faced extinction events, outlived giants, and ultimately gave rise to the diverse world of mammals we know today, including us.

Can Dogs Talk?

CAN DOGS TALK? at TPT

Imagine a world where your furry best friend could tell you exactly what they're thinking. A growing number of dog owners claim this is already happening, thanks to innovative word buttons that seem to unlock a new realm of canine communication. But are these dogs truly understanding what we’re saying—and talking back? Are they really thinking creatively, applying words in new contexts? Or is this just clever conditioning? To find out, scientists are conducting the largest animal communication study in history, analyzing millions of button presses from thousands of dogs worldwide. Witness astonishing moments that challenge our assumptions about animal intelligence, from dogs that seemingly engage in conversations to those who learn new words with incredible speed. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about the minds of dogs and discover just how far their linguistic abilities might stretch.

Asteroids: Spark of Life?

ASTEROIDS: SPARK OF LIFE at TPT

Imagine a time when Earth was a molten, volcanic wasteland, heavily bombarded by colossal asteroids. We’ve long feared these cosmic impacts as destroyers of life, but what if they were the key to our very existence? Explore a revolutionary theory suggesting that these violent collisions provided the essential ingredients – water, minerals, and energy – needed for life to ignite on our planet. Discover how scientists are unearthing evidence from lunar rocks and ancient impact craters, revealing that the very objects known for extinguishing life might have actually sparked it.

Operation Space Station: Science and Survival

Part 2 of NOVA's two-part International Space Station documentary.

Operation Space Station: The size of a football field, the International Space Station hurtles around Earth at 17,000 mph, shielding its astronauts from the most hostile environment humans have ever endured. After 25 years of continuous human presence in space, astronauts and Mission Control insiders reveal the most terrifying moments aboard this remarkable orbiting laboratory, where a single mistake could prove fatal. From ammonia leaks, meteor strikes, and docking disasters, to spacewalk horrors, potentially lethal showers of space junk, and the moment the entire ISS backflipped out of control, follow life-or-death dramas unfolding 250 miles above our planet—and the human ingenuity and teamwork that save the day.

Science and Survival: Imagine a place where more than 280 people have defied Earth's gravity, risking their lives to do science 250 miles above us. Here, on the International Space Station, unexpected challenges are a daily threat, from an astronaut's helmet filling with water on a spacewalk, to the entire station spinning out of control. Witness the ingenuity, courage, and international cooperation required to overcome these life-threatening emergencies. And discover how this unique orbiting laboratory continues to push the boundaries of science, uniting humanity in a shared pursuit of knowledge beyond our planet, even as its own incredible journey approaches its fiery conclusion.

I have questions.

OPERATION SPACE STATION: SCIENCE AND SURVIVAL at TPT

Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build

Part 1 of NOVA's two-part International Space Station documentary.

Operation Space Station: The size of a football field, the International Space Station hurtles around Earth at 17,000 mph, shielding its astronauts from the most hostile environment humans have ever endured. After 25 years of continuous human presence in space, astronauts and Mission Control insiders reveal the most terrifying moments aboard this remarkable orbiting laboratory, where a single mistake could prove fatal. From ammonia leaks, meteor strikes, and docking disasters, to spacewalk horrors, potentially lethal showers of space junk, and the moment the entire ISS backflipped out of control, follow life-or-death dramas unfolding 250 miles above our planet—and the human ingenuity and teamwork that save the day.

High-Risk Build: Witness an unprecedented feat of engineering: the construction of the International Space Station, a habitable space lab hurtling around Earth at 17,000 mph. Every step of this ambitious project unfolds against the backdrop of a merciless vacuum, dangerous radiation, and extreme temperatures. Experience high-stakes drama as astronauts confront life-threatening malfunctions, including a toxic ammonia leak during a critical spacewalk. And see how each time, a combination of quick thinking and nerves of steel help the crew survive and thrive in a hostile environment—a testament to international collaboration and the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery.

I have questions.

OPERATION SPACE STATION: HIGH-RISK BUILD at TPT

Superfloods

 

I have questions.

SUPERFLOODS at TPT

The deadly flash floods in Texas over the 2025 Fourth of July weekend were just the latest reminder of an alarming new reality: Once-rare "superfloods" are striking with unprecedented ferocity, devastating communities around the globe. Join investigators as they piece together a moment-by-moment account of the Asheville, North Carolina disaster in 2024, when Hurricane Helene triggered flash floods and mudslides in a city 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 250 miles inland. Discover how hidden atmospheric phenomena, combined with a warming planet, are creating a new era of risk. Can science offer a lifeline to communities facing an increasingly dangerous future?

Science sommelier: The episode pairs nicely with NOVA's Weathering the Future.

Human

 

It seems that each season, NOVA airs an in-depth series co-produced (created by?) the BBC. For Season 52, it's the five-part series, Human.

HUMAN at TPT

Around 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens emerged in Africa—one of at least seven human species alive at the time. Now, we are the only remaining human line, and our impact on the planet is undeniable. In this stunningly cinematic five-part series, paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi traces the surprising story of human origins. Remarkable new fossil evidence, modern DNA sequencing, and other cutting-edge scientific tools are shedding new light on the lives and journeys of long-vanished human species, and how our encounters with them helped make us who we are today.

Critical Condition: Health in Black America

 

Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease than White Americans, and their life expectancy is about five years shorter. Why? 

In this special feature-length documentary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson investigates the dramatic health disparities in the US, even as scientists confirm that there are no meaningful genetic differences between races. 

From the deep history of pseudoscientific beliefs about race that still permeate modern medicine, to the latest research on how experiencing discrimination can directly damage human cells, Critical Condition explores the factors behind the health crisis facing Black Americans.

CRITICAL CONDITION: HEALTH IN BLACK AMERICA at TPT

Secrets of the Forest

Can forests help cool the planet? Follow scientists working in spectacular forest landscapes in Costa Rica, Brazil, Australia, and beyond as they try to untangle complex networks of trees, fungi, and creatures large and small—all in a quest to tackle the twin threats of climate change and species extinction.

Sections:

• Photosynthesis
• Trees
• Fungi
• Soil
• Insects
• Animals
• Humans

SECRETS OF THE FOREST at TPT

Revolutionary War Weapons

In 1775, a ragtag army of farmers and tradesmen went to war against the most powerful army in the world, ultimately winning American independence. What military technologies did the American colonies use in their fight for freedom, and how did they help propel them to one of history’s most unlikely victories? 

Archaeologists and historians uncover the real stories of innovation, skill, and strategy that determined the outcome of important battles. From the Brown Bess musket to the world’s first military submarine, get a closeup look at the powerful and sometimes ingenious weapons that helped the colonies win the war. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR WEAPONS at TPT

Baltimore Bridge Collapse

On March 26, 2024, the world collectively gasped as a massive container ship, the Dali, lost control and plowed into the landmark Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The busy four-lane bridge suffered a catastrophic collapse and crashed into the Patapsco River. Six highway workers were killed, and the Port of Baltimore—a crucial link in the global shipping chain on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States—was blocked by thousands of tons of twisted steel and concrete. 

How did a modern ship lose all power and propulsion? And why did the bridge fail so catastrophically? Follow the high-stakes rescue and recovery, the efforts to reopen the port, and the investigations into what went wrong and how many other crucial bridges are at risk.

BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE at TPT

Dino Birds

Dinosaurs are not as extinct as we might have thought. The big ones didn't make it past the asteroid impact 65 million years ago. But some small flying ones did. Hence birds!

Connecting modern birds to ancient dinosaurs was a scientific detective story, and this episode of NOVA retraces the steps. And some of the best evidence is of recent discovery. 

Birds have been on an evolutionary journey. A journey that included feathers, powered flight, and many extinctions. 

DINO BIRDS at TPT

Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs. Contrary to popular belief, dinosaurs never went extinct. They’re still alive among us—in the form of birds! Birds are the only dinosaurs that survived the cataclysmic mass extinction caused by an asteroid the size of Mt. Everest crashing into Earth about 66 million years ago. The big question is: How? How did birds manage to not only live through the apocalypse, but also go on to diversify and populate every corner of our planet? Now, rare fossil discoveries are revealing the secrets of bird evolution going back more than 100 million years, telling the story of how some resilient feathered dinos persevered and transformed into the vast array of colorful bird species that fill our skies today.

What Are UFOs?

 

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have been an intriguing phenomenon for decades. They've recently benn renamed Unidentified Areal Phenomena and then Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs). Public interest has waxed and waned, but never disappeared. I don't expect that will ever change.

I was a bit nervous when I learned NOVA was going to produce an episode to this topic. Why? I was recently disappointed by celebrated columnist Ezra Klein's stunning credulity amidst a recent flare up of interest. I expected better. 

But my anxiety was not warranted. I was heartened to see skeptical analyst, Mick West, was a participant, and he certainly has a moment in this episode. This is NOVA, not The New York Times; I should not have been concerned.

But I do have questions.

WHAT ARE UFOS? at TPT

For decades UFOs have captivated the public, even as many scientists saw them as too taboo to investigate. Now, after highly publicized sightings of unidentified objects by Navy pilots, UFOs are moving out of the shadows and into the light, as NASA pledges to study them scientifically. So what does science have to say? Though some are identified as balloons or drones, weather phenomena, or optical illusions, others remain mysterious. Could they be the result of secret new technology developed by other governments – or our own? And what would it take for alien engineers to traverse vast distances to send probes or visit Earth from other solar systems? Explore the evidence, as astrophysicists and engineers use new technologies to investigate the strangest objects in our skies.

Lost Tombs of Notre Dame

 

The world looked on in horror as Notre Dame Cathedral burned in the middle of Paris in April, 2019. Restoring the cathedral has spawned two episodes of NOVA. Rebuilding Notre Dame in 2022, and now Lost Tombs of Notre Dame.

The restoration project has been a massive undertaking. This episode is devoted to some of the things found under the stone flooring, and the forensic work devoted to solving these uncovered mysteries. 

LOST TOMBS OF NOTRE DAME at TPT

After the devastating 2019 fire at Notre Dame, two mysterious sarcophaguses were discovered under the cathedral’s stone floor. Who is buried in them, and what secrets will these coffins reveal? Follow a team of archaeologists and historians as they attempt to solve centuries-old mysteries using the latest scientific investigation techniques. What can forensic analysis of the remains reveal about one of the world’s most famous cathedrals and those who devoted their lives to it?

Building Stuff

Engineering is a big part of the Next Generation Science Standards. Classroom teachers are encouraged to integrate engineering into their curricula. Tabletop and classroom-scale building projects are one way to do that, and the hands-on nature of such projects has great value.

Another way to integrate engineering into the science curriculum is seeing larger scale engineering projects documented. PBS NOVA's Building Stuff miniseries does just that.

BUILDING STUFF at TPT

Engineering is all around us, and we humans have been doing it forever. But how does it actually work? Find out by watching some of the most creative and innovative folks in the game build stuff that helps extend our range, amplify our abilities, and alter our environment for the better. Experience the ups and downs with engineers as they design, build, and iterate their way through challenges, inspiring the inner “maker” in all of us.

1. Boost It! at TPT

SPIN LAUNCH · HAPTIC DANCE · DOUBLE DUTCH · BIONIC VISION

Around the world, engineers are finding ingenious ways to amplify our abilities and senses—allowing us to access and shape the world way beyond our natural gifts. From helping a blind man see without the use of his eyes to building a sling so powerful it can shoot rockets into space, see why engineering just might be the closest thing to a superpower we humans have.

2. Reach It! at TPT

WINDSCRAPERS · SAFE SUBMERSIBLES · FITTED FIRE SUIT · SPACE BASKET BOOM

From the time our species first evolved, we’ve been on the move. Not content to stay in one place, we’ve imagined and invented and built our way from one place to the next. From deep sea subs to wind-resistant skyscrapers to next-gen space habitats, see how today’s engineers are designing and building creative new ways for us to get all around—and even off—our planet.

3. Change It! at TPT

DRONE TAXI · TUNABLE E-NOSE · CORAL SEE · EARTH FILTER

Thousands of years of human innovation have allowed us to shape the environment to improve lives. The consequences of our activities are not always benign—but there are solutions. From electrifying aviation, to building robots to protect threatened coral reefs, a new generation of engineers is finding creative solutions to some of our most critical environmental challenges.

Rebuilding Notre Dame

The world watched in horror as Notre Dame Cathedral burned in the middle of Paris in April, 2019. France immediately embarked on the massive undertaking of restoring the cathedral. And they were intent on restoring the cathedral as it was before the fire. This made things even more challenging.

[It's always nice when I can use a photo from my own archives for the cover art. My polarizer was working hard on that shot.]

REBUILDING NOTRE DAME at TPT

Following the April, 2019 fire that almost destroyed Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, a team of engineers, masons, and timber workers set out on the daunting challenge of restoring France’s historic landmark. The program traces the dramatic human and technical challenges of the project’s first three years, going behind-the-scenes with carpenters shaping lumber for the new roof and spire, stone masons repairing gaping holes in the vault, and artisans who use traditional techniques to restore stained glass windows. A symbol of the nation’s identity and resilience, Notre Dame gradually rises from the ashes, thanks to a restoration project like no other.

Decoding the Universe

DECODING THE UNIVERSE

See how our understanding of nature and the universe has been transformed since the 1970s.

How big is the universe? What is it made of? Are we alone? Questions like these have inspired amazing discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the universe since the 1970s, shedding light on everything from exoplanets to black holes to the mysterious dark matter and energy that rule the cosmos. And closer to home, quantum physicists have discovered the weird laws that govern the subatomic world, unlocking amazing technologies—from the smart phone in your pocket to powerful new quantum computers taking shape in labs today.

COSMOS at TPT

How big is the universe? If it began with the Big Bang, will it also have an end? Is there life beyond our planet? Questions like these inspired the launch of Voyager I in 1977 and have driven innovative space research and exploration ever since. Trace ground-breaking discoveries that have transformed our picture of the universe, from an age when we knew of no planets beyond our solar system, to today, when we have evidence of thousands and estimate trillions more. And follow the teams trying to solve two of the biggest mysteries in cosmology today: What are dark matter and dark energy?

QUANTUM at TPT

When we look at the world at the tiniest scales in the subatomic realm, things get weird – very weird. Welcome to the quantum universe, where particles can spin in two directions at once, observing something changes it, and something on one side of the galaxy can instantly affect something on the other, as if the space between them didn’t exist. Buckle up for a wild ride through the discoveries that proved all of this to be true and paved the way for the digital technologies we enjoy today – and the powerful quantum sensors and computers of tomorrow.

Will there be more episodes of Decoding the Universe? I don't know. Somehow in 2024, my search engine skills are unequal to the challenge of finding out. Someone deep in PBS NOVA HQ knows. I'm hoping more episodes will be added to this collection. 

Solar System

 

PBS NOVA has once again teamed up with BBC for another space science miniseries. The Planets (2019) was followed by Universe Revealed (2021).

This year, it was deeper dive into the solar system. You might wonder what was left to document so soon (in space documentary years) after The Planets. What Solar System does is to open things up to include moons and dwarf planets. Suddenly to the topic candidates expand from fewer than a dozen to hundreds. We've been sending probes to explore these words for decades, and researchers have been able to identify and sort unexpected mysteries. 

Ice worlds composed of hot, black ice, volcanic worlds heated by tidal forces, dwarf planets that kiss more than they collide, comets, asteroids, and an unseen cloud of countless worlds. Solar System dives deep into some two dozen worlds in our own neighborhood, including Haumea, Ganymede, Miranda, Pan, Io, Enceladus, Iapetus, Phobos, Ceres, Triton, and Charon. Earth is included in the mix, correctly cast among the "Strange Worlds." Honestly, the more you know about Earth, the stranger it seems.

Thanks once again to my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Murphy, for encouraging me to deepen my fascination with the other worlds of the solar system years before the Vikings or the Voyagers.