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. 

Ancient Skies

My first course in physics was my high school Project Physics corse. Project Physics was Harvard's post-Sputnik physics curriculum. The more prominent post-Sputnik physics curriculum was developed by the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC). 

PSSC was a mathematically rigorous curriculum intended to foster a generation of scientists and engineers capable of competing with the Soviet Union's scientists and engineers. Project Physics took more of a humanities-based approach, steeped in history and personalities.

Through a bit of trickery that I shouldn't have been able to get away with, I managed to take Project Physics in 11th grade and PSSC Physics (at another campus) in 12th grade. (Physics had sunk its hooks into me early.)

I loved both courses, but preferred Project Physics. As I watched Ancient Skies, I was reminded of my fascination with the history of science that was a feature of Project Physics. And my Close Personal Friend® Phil Plait is featured throughout the series. Phil was a classmate at The University of Michigan (a proud employee of Parcheesi's Pizza while I worked at Wazoo Records), and a fellow traveler in the James Randi Educational Foundation's Amazing Meetings and the Amazing Adventure in the Galápagos.

ANCIENT SKIES at TPT

With breath-taking CGI, beautiful landscape footage and some of the world's most important astronomical artifacts, Ancient Skies looks at the cosmos through the eyes of our ancestors, and our changing views of the cosmos throughout history.

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.

Our New World

OUR NEW WORLD

What world will we live in tomorrow as climate change reshapes the Earth? Our planet has many surprises in store. This series reveals nature's astonishing adaptation abilities, and how we humans can become a supporting force.

1. THE PULSE OF CHANGE at TPT

Four people on four continents face environmental change driven by climate change. As resources grow scarce, they witness shifts in wildlife behavior. Each actively seeks solutions to adapt and prevent conflict between humans and wildlife.

2. A WILD REVIVAL at TPT

Four people on four continents face environmental change driven by climate change. As resources grow scarce, they witness shifts in wildlife behavior. Each actively seeks solutions to adapt and prevent conflict between humans and wildlife.

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.

The American Revolution

In 1990, Ken Burns made a name for himself with his series, The Civil War. Since then, he has created many celebrated historical documentaries. In 2025, he (and his team) released The American Revolution.

I appreciate that the Civil War gets more attention than the Revolutionary War. But the Revolutionary War seemed a bit too marginalized in my own recollection of US History coursework. And too simplistic in my memory. So I was grateful to see this 12-hour documentation produced by Team Burns.

So of course, I have questions. As each episode runs well over 100 minutes, I have about 100 questions for each episode. This might seem like a heavy load for students watching each episode, but it is not. 

Each question requires a response that takes very few seconds to complete. Students can relax and listen for most of the screening time, but the questions will help maintain their focus. Most quickly become adept at pre-reading the next question up, and are ready to pounce when the answer comes up.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Complete at TPT

Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.

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.

Mr. Polaroid: Everything Changes in an Instant

The full American Experience episode can be found here.

I have questions.

Mr. Polaroid: Everything Changes in an Instant at TPT

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.

Shot in the Arm

This project began as a documentary regarding resistance to the measles (MMR) vaccine. Then 2020 arrived with the coronavirus outbreak. After the initial panic and lockdowns, the anti-vaccine movement exploded. Shot in the Arm documents whole the ordeal.

There are uncomfortable moments for those of us who remember it all. But there were important lessons, and it's important that they were learned.

I have questions. And they are free.

SHOT IN THE ARM at TPT [Freebie]

Both skeptical and hopeful, SHOT IN THE ARM - from Academy Award-Nominated filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy and Executive Producer Neil deGrasse Tyson - explores vaccine hesitancy historically and in the context of our modern pandemic. Can we replace cynicism with healthy curiosity and bridge the political divides that make us sick? Featuring: Tony Fauci, Paul Offit, and Robert Kennedy, Jr.

More information is available at http://shotinthearmmovie.com.

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.