NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.
Kicking a field goal seems pretty straightforward: you just kick the ball as hard as you can between the goal posts at the back of the end zone. But if it were that easy, then kickers would almost never miss. Join physicist Tim Gay and semi-pro football kicker Hermes Lima as they explain all the factors that go into kicking a successful field goal.
Stunning new archaeological evidence provides clues about the Egyptians who built the Great Pyramid of Giza--and how they did it. Join researchers as they delve into the logbook of a work crew and discover how the massive project transformed Egypt.
The Arctic is warming at a rate almost twice the global average. This could be making vortex splits more likely, but is still up for debate among climate experts.
This 12-year-old boy is legally blind, nonverbal, and has limited use of his hands. But artificial intelligence technology is helping him communicate with his family members.
A government shutdown impacts thousands of scientists and researchers across the country. It stalls out field projects, stops weather models from being maintained, and interrupts long-term data collection vital to the health of the national parks. Some even worry it represents a threat to public safety.
Blood moon. Blue moon. Harvest moon. Supermoon. Each of these phrases refers to a distinct appearance of Earth's moon, corresponding with different lunar phases we see in the sky. So what exactly can these names, and “super blood wolf moon,” teach us?
Take a look back at some of the biggest science stories of 2018—from CRISPR gene editing to a mission to find alien worlds.
After years of anticipation, NASA scientists received the most detailed images from its spacecraft, New Horizons.
Since it explored Pluto in 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft has been zooming toward NASA’s most distant target yet. Join the mission team as the probe attempts to fly by Ultima Thule, an object 4 billion miles from Earth.
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is about to visit the most distant object ever explored by humans.
The New Horizons spacecraft made history by conducting the farthest ever flyby of an object in our solar system.
Bill Anders was looking for a spot to land on the moon when he saw the Earth appear over the horizon. Many consider the resulting photo, “Earthrise,” to be one of the most important photos of the 20th century.
Apollo 8 was the first in the world to head to the moon using trans-lunar injection.
From its engine to its computer, the Apollo 8 spacecraft—and its mission—marked a revolution in spaceflight.
California’s Camp and Woolsey Fires caused billions in property damage—and took dozens of human lives. Can we safeguard our homes and buildings from this degree of loss in the future? Approaches include keeping the outdoors surrounding a structure clear of combustible debris, building with materials that are inherently non-flammable, and retrofitting walls, vents, and roofs to prevent fires.
Einstein called it “spooky action at a distance,” but today quantum entanglement is poised to revolutionize technology from computers to cryptography. Physicists have gradually become convinced that the phenomenon—two subatomic particles that mirror changes in each other instantaneously over any distance—is real.
What makes onions so oniony? Why does stuffing sometimes come out gummy? Learn the secret to making delicious stuffing with the perfect texture—and why onions might make you cry as you're cooking it.
Check out the new streaming service from Cascade PBS, which pairs your PBS favorites with an ever-growing selection of TV series and films from around the world. Enjoy dedicated mobile and TV apps.
