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Modeling a Comet Airburst
3m 20s
See why an explosion three miles above Earth would act like a hot tornado on the surface.
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.
Video description: Why are birds the only dinosaurs still alive today? Rare fossil discoveries are revealing the secrets of bird evolution, telling the story of how some resilient feathered dinos became the vast array of colorful bird species that fill our skies.
See why an explosion three miles above Earth would act like a hot tornado on the surface.
Vision as we know it remains elusive for machines. But as this video short shows, they are starting to get the picture.
Jeopardy! challenges even the best human minds. Can a computer win the game?
Technology reporter David Pogue hosts a 4-part special series exploring the materials that will shape our future. Wednesdays starting January 19, 2011
"Absolute Zero" presents the epic story of humanity's struggle to master extreme cold. This NOVA special re-creates groundbreaking discoveries across four centuries that expanded our knowledge of low temperatures and led ultimately to today's cutting edge "cold technologies."
They've transformed our cities and our lives, but how safe are they?
This film chronicles the fate of the 33 miners trapped in a collapsed Chilean gold and copper mine in August 2010 and investigates the many challenges faced by both the miners and those working around the clock to bring them safely to the surface. NOVA was on-site at the San José mine in Chile by early September.
A team of intrepid scientists journey into one of Earth's most dangerous and beautiful underwater frontiers.
Where did we come from? What makes us human? An explosion of recent discoveries sheds light on these questions, and NOVA's comprehensive, three-part special, "Becoming Human," examines what the latest scientific research reveals about our hominid relatives.
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.