List of Nova episodes

Nova is an American science documentary television series produced by WGBH Boston for PBS. Many of the programs in this list were not originally produced for PBS, but were acquired from other sources such as the BBC.^[1] All acquired programs are edited for Nova, if only to provide American English narration.^[1] In 2005, Nova began airing some episodes titled NOVA scienceNOW, which followed a newsmagazine style format. For two seasons, NOVA scienceNOW episodes aired in the same time slot as Nova. In 2008, NOVA scienceNOW was officially declared its own series and given its own time slot.^[2] None of the NOVA scienceNOW episodes are included in this list.

Contents: Season 1 • Season 2 • Season 3 • Season 4 • Season 5 • Season 6 • Season 7 • Season 8 • Season 9 • Season 10 • Season 11 • Season 12 • Season 13 • Season 14 • Season 15 • Season 16 • Season 17 • Season 18 • Season 19 • Season 20 • Season 21 • Season 22 • Season 23 • Season 24 • Season 25 • Season 26 • Season 27 • Season 28 • Season 29 • Season 30 • Season 31 • Season 32 • Season 33 • Season 34 • Season 35 • Season 36 • Season 37 • Season 38 • Season 39 • Season 40 • Season 41 • Season 42 • Season 43 • References •

Season 1: 1974

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Making of a Natural History Film"	March 3, 1974	0101
Re-narrated Horizon episode, first aired in the UK in 1972.[3] NOVA premieres on public television with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a nature film. Oxford Scientific Films Unit shows how it tackles such problems as filming a wood-wasp laying its eggs inside trees, the hatching of a chick and the courtship rituals of the stickleback.
"Where Did the Colorado Go?"	March 10, 1974	0102
NOVA explores the mighty Colorado River which today has become the life-blood of the Southwest, providing water and electricity to the farms and cities of California, Nevada, and Arizona. The program examines the political expediency and technological over-optimism that has led to some major miscalculations of the river's capacity. Narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema ("Lurtz").
"Whales, Dolphins, and Men"	March 17, 1974	0103
NOVA explores the impact of whaling and the goods it produces for the industry, versus the grace and beauty of this intelligent mammal of the sea.
"The Search for Life"	March 24, 1974	0104
Does life exist outside this planet? The Viking lander will set down on Mars in July 1976 to try to find out just that. NOVA explores how life started on Earth and examines the Viking Lander being built in its germ-free room before starting its long journey.
"Last of the Cuiva"	March 31, 1974	0105
How does a primitive nomadic tribe of the Amazon basin cope with the encroachment of Western settlers? NOVA looks at both sides of the story, revealing the misunderstandings between the two cultures.
"Strange Sleep"	April 7, 1974	0106
Medicine was transformed in the 19th century by the discovery of anesthesia; surgery, until then hasty, bloody and completely unable to deal with internal disorders, subsequently took its place in the front rank of medical practice. This NOVA docudrama depicts the pioneers of medicine.
"The Crab Nebula"	April 14, 1974	0107
In 1054 AD, the Chinese recorded the explosion of a star so bright that it lit the sky for three weeks, even during the day. It was the explosion of a dying star that was bigger than our sun. NOVA explores this mysterious explosion that led to the discovery of the Crab Nebula.
"Bird Brain: The Mystery of Bird Navigation"	April 21, 1974	0108
Birds migrate in search of perpetual summer, sometimes traveling as many as 20,000 miles every year. NOVA uses radar to track and identify migrating birds that travel at night, focusing on how they choose routes that avoid bad weather and make the best of prevailing winds — information that can aid meteorologists.
"Are You Doing This for Me, Doctor?"	April 28, 1974	0109
The advance of medicine depends inevitably on the testing of experimental procedures on human volunteers from either the healthy or the sick. Yet such procedures are often dangerous, and may not be of direct benefit to the subject. NOVA examines how individuals' interests are safeguarded, and asks under what circumstances should experiments be conducted on children.
"The First Signs of Washoe"	May 5, 1974	0110
Washoe is a chimp more like a person; she talks with her hands. NOVA visits with Washoe and her teachers, Professor Allen Gardner and Dr. Trixie Gardner, to learn more about this unusual animal.
"The Case of the Midwife Toad"	May 12, 1974	0111
When Paul Kammerer committed suicide in 1926, it was taken by most of his fellow biologists as a tacit admission of guilt that he had faked his experiments purporting to show the inheritance of acquired characteristics. Arthur Koestler joins NOVA in an in-depth examination of Kammerer's infamous experiment.
"Fusion: The Energy of Promise"	May 19, 1974	0112
Controlled nuclear fusion means taming the hydrogen bomb. It could solve the world's energy shortage but it's an enormous engineering challenge. NOVA looks at the latest fusion machines in the UK and USA.
"The Mystery of the Anasazi"	May 26, 1974	0113
Who were the people that built the first cities — complete with apartment blocks — in North America? They were the Anasazi Indians, who lived in the Southwest for some eight or nine thousand years, and who then, in about 1300 AD, abruptly abandoned their cities and apparently disappeared. NOVA traces the steps of this ancient sophisticated culture.

Season 2: 1974–1975

Title	Original air date	Code
"Why Do Birds Sing?"	November 3, 1974	0201
NOVA travels to forests and marshes to discover why birds sing and finds surprising parallels with the acquisition of speech in humans.
"How Much Do You Smell?"	November 10, 1974	0202
"The Hunting of the Quark"	November 17, 1974	0203
"The Secrets of Sleep"	November 24, 1974	0204
"Inside the Golden Gate"	December 1, 1974	0205
"The Men Who Painted Caves"	December 8, 1974	0206
"Red Sea Coral"	December 15, 1974	0207
"War From the Air"	January 5, 1975	0208
"What Time is Your Body?"	January 12, 1975	0209
"The Rise and Fall of DDT"	January 19, 1975	0210
"Take the World From Another Point of View"	February 2, 1975	0211
"The Lysenko Affair"	February 9, 1975	0212
"The Tuaregs"	February 16, 1975	0213
"The Plutonium Connection"	March 9, 1975	0214
"The Other Way"	March 16, 1975	0215
"The Lost World of the Maya"	March 30, 1975	0216
"Will The Fishing Have to Stop?"	April 6, 1975	0217
Fish is an excellent source of protein; it could help ease the growing international food shortage. But in 1972 the total world fish catch dropped. NOVA explores the possible reasons for this decline.

Season 3: 1976

Title	Original air date	Code
"Predictable Disaster"	January 4, 1976	0301
"Joey"	January 11, 1976	0302
"Meditation and the Mind"	January 18, 1976	0303
"The Planets"	January 25, 1976	0304
"A Desert Place"	February 1, 1976	0305
"A Small Imperfection"	February 8, 1976	0306
"Ninety Degrees Below"	February 15, 1976	0307
"The Race for the Double Helix"	March 7, 1976	0308
"The Renewable Tree"	March 7, 1976	0309
"The Williamsburgh File"	March 14, 1976	0310
"The Overworked Miracle"	March 21, 1976	0311
"The Transplant Experiment"	April 11, 1976	0312
"The Underground Movement"	April 18, 1976	0313
"Hunters of the Seal"	May 2, 1976	0314
"Benjamin"	May 9, 1976	0315
"The Women Rebel"	May 23, 1976	0316
"Death of a Disease"	June 6, 1976	0317
"Inside the Shark"	June 13, 1976	0318
"The Genetic Chance"	June 20, 1976	0319
"The Case of the Bermuda Triangle"	June 27, 1976	0320

Season 4: 1977

Title	Original air date	Code
"Hitler’s Secret Weapon"	January 5, 1977	0401
"The Hot Blooded Dinosaurs"	January 12, 1977	0402
"What Price Coal?"	January 19, 1977	0403
"The Sunspot Mystery"	February 2, 1977	0404
"The Plastic Prison"	February 9, 1977	0405
"Incident at Brown’s Ferry"	February 23, 1977	0406
"Bye Bye Blackbird"	March 2, 1977	0407
"The Pill for the People"	March 9, 1977	0408
"The Gene Engineers"	March 16, 1977	0409
"The Human Animal"	March 23, 1977	0410
"The Wolf Equation"	March 30, 1977	0411
"The Dawn of the Solar Age"	April 20, 1977	0412
"The Business of Extinction"	April 20, 1977	0413
"The Red Planet"	April 27, 1977	0414
"Tongues of Men, Part 1"	May 11, 1977	0415
"Tongues of Man, Part 2"	May 18, 1977	0416
"Linus Pauling: Crusading Scientist"	June 1, 1977	0417
"Across the Silent Barrier"	June 22, 1977	0418
"The New Healers"	June 29, 1977	0419

Season 5: 1978

Title	Original air date	Code
"In The Event of Catastrophe"	January 4, 1978	0501
"The Green Machine"	January 11, 1978	0420
"Blueprints in the Bloodstream"	January 18, 1978	0502
"One Small Step"	January 25, 1978	0503
"The Final Frontier"	February 1, 1978	0504
"BaMiki BaNdula: Children of the Forest"	February 15, 1978	0505
"Trial of Denton Cooley"	February 22, 1978	0506
"The Great Wine Revolution"	March 1, 1978	0507
"The Case of the Ancient Astronauts"	March 8, 1978	0508
Originally aired as a BBC Horizon episode in 1977.
"The Mind Machines"	March 22, 1978	0509
"Icarus' Children"	March 29, 1978	0510
"Still Waters"	April 12, 1978	0511
"Battle for the Acropolis"	April 19, 1978	0512
"Road to Happiness"	May 3, 1978	0513
"Light of the 21st Century"	May 10, 1978	0514
"The Insect Alternative"	May 24, 1978	0515
"The Desert’s Edge"	May 31, 1978	0516
"The Tse Tse Trap"	June 7, 1978	0517
"Memories From Eden"	June 14, 1978	0518
"A Whisper From Space"	June 21, 1978	0519
"Alaska: The Closing Frontier"	June 28, 1978	0520

Season 6: 1979

Title	Original air date	Code
"Black Tide"	January 4, 1979	0601
"Long Walk of Fred Young"	January 11, 1979	0602
"A World of Difference"	January 18, 1979	0603
"Cashing In On The Ocean"	February 1, 1979	0604
Manganese nodules carpet parts of the deep ocean floor. They're potentially a highly valuable source of minerals. NOVA looks at the engineering challenge of harvesting them, and the knotty problems such a venture would pose for international law.
"Patterns From The Past"	February 8, 1979	0605
"The Invisible Flame"	February 22, 1979	0606
"The End of the Rainbow"	March 1, 1979	0607
"The Beersheva Experiment"	March 8, 1979	0608
"Einstein"	March 15, 1979	0609
"The Keys of Paradise"	March 29, 1979	0610

Season 7: 1979–1980

Title	Original air date	Code
"A Plague on our Children"	October 2, 1979	0611
"Life on a Silken Thread"	October 9, 1979	0612
"Sweet Solutions"	October 16, 1979	0613
"Race For The Gold"	October 30, 1979	0614
"All Part of The Game"	November 6, 1979	0615
"India: Machinery of Hope"	November 20, 1979	0616
"The Bridge That Spanned The World"	December 4, 1979	0617
"Termites to Telescopes"	December 11, 1979	0618
"Blindness: Five Points of Views"	December 18, 1979	0619
"The Elusive Illness"	January 15, 1980	0701
"A is for Atom, B is for Bomb"	January 22, 1980	0702
"Living Machines"	February 5, 1980	0703
"Portrait of a Killer"	February 19, 1980	0704
"Umealit: The Whale Hunters"	March 4, 1980	0705
"The Safety Factor"	March 11, 1980	0706
"A Mediterranean Prospect"	March 18, 1980	0707
"Mr. Ludwig’s Tropical Dreamland"	March 25, 1980	0708

Season 8: 1980–1981

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Pinks and the Blues"	September 30, 1980	0709
Known as "The Secret Of The Sexes" as the Vestron Video release of 1988 says.
"The Cancer Detectives of Lin Xian"	October 7, 1980	0710
"The Sea Behind the Dunes"	October 14, 1980	0711
"Do We Really Need The Rockies?"	October 28, 1980	0712
"The Big IF"	November 4, 1980	0713
"Voyager: Jupiter & Beyond"	November 11, 1980	0714
"The Wizard Who Spat On The Floor"	November 18, 1980	0715
"The Water Crisis"	November 25, 1980	0716
"Moving Still"	December 2, 1980	0717
"A Touch of Sensitivity"	December 9, 1980	0718
"Red Deer of Rhum"	December 23, 1980	0719
"It’s About Time"	December 30, 1980	0720
"The Doctors of Nigeria"	January 6, 1981	0801
"Message In The Rocks"
"The Dead Sea Lives"	January 27, 1981	0803
"Anatomy of a Volcano"	February 10, 1981	0804
When Mount St. Helens erupted, it did much more damage than geologists had expected. NOVA looks at the aftermath of the devastating explosion, and at the beginnings of environmental recovery.
"The Science of Murder"	February 17, 1981	0805
"The Malady of Health Care"	February 24, 1981	0806
"Beyond the Milky Way"	March 3, 1981	0807
"The Asteroid and the Dinosaur"	March 10, 1981	0808
"Animal Olympians"	March 17, 1981	0809
"Resolution on Saturn"	August 25, 1981	0810
First aired on Horizon as a two-part episode. First: The Rings; two days later, The Moon.

Season 9: 1981–1982

Title	Original air date	Code
"Computers, Spies, & Private Lives"	September 27, 1981	0811
"Why America Burns"	October 4, 1981	0812
"The Great Violin Mystery"	October 11, 1981	0813
"Cosmic Fire"	October 18, 1981	0814
"Locusts: War Without End"	October 25, 1981	0815
"Did Darwin Get It Wrong?"	November 1, 1981	0816
"Artists in the Lab"	November 15, 1981	0817
"Notes of a Biology Watcher: A Film with Lewis Thomas"	November 22, 1981	0818
"City Spaces, Human Places"	November 29, 1981	0819
"Twins"	December 6, 1981	0820
"Salmon on the Run"	January 10, 1982	0901
"Test-Tube Babies: A Daughter For Judy"	January 17, 1982	0902
"A Field Guide to Roger Tory Peterson"	January 24, 1982	0903
"The Hunt for the Legion Killer"	January 31, 1982	0904
"Finding a Voice"	February 7, 1982	0905
A BBC production for WGBH Boston, first aired in Horizon in late 1981.
"The Television Explosion"	February 14, 1982	0906
"Life: Patent Pending"	February 28, 1982	0907
"Palace of Delights"	March 7, 1982	0908
"Animal Impostors"	March 14, 1982	0909
"Aging: The Methuselah Syndrome"	March 28, 1982	0910

Season 10: 1982–1983

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Case of the UFOs"	October 12, 1982	0911
"The Fragile Mountain"	October 19, 1982	0912
"Here’s Looking At You Kid"	November 9, 1982	0913
"Adventures of Teenage Scientists"	November 16, 1982	0914
"The Cobalt Blues"	November 23, 1982	0915
"Goodbye Louisiana"	November 30, 1982	0916
"Whale Watch"	December 7, 1982	0917
"Tracking The Supertrains"	December 14, 1982	0918
"Hawaii: Crucible of Life"	January 18, 1983	1001
"The Pleasure of Finding Things Out"	January 25, 1983	1002
Re-narrated Horizon episode.[4]
"Lassa Fever"	February 8, 1983	1003
"The Miracle of Life"	February 15, 1983	1004
Re-aired on December 15, 1983 as a special presentation out of NOVA’s original timeslot.
"Asbestos: A Lethal Legacy"	March 1, 1983	1005
"City of Coral"	March 8, 1983	1006
"Fat Chance in a Thin World"	March 22, 1983	1007
"Sixty Minutes to Meltdown"	March 29, 1983	1008

Season 11: 1983–1984

Title	Original air date	Code
"Signs of the Apes, Songs of the Whales"	October 11, 1983	1009
The dream of talking with animals has been with us for centuries. NOVA explores the latest research, from language experiments with dolphins and apes to studies of animal calls in the wild.
"The Artificial Heart"	October 18, 1983	1010
Seattle dentist Barney Clark received the first artificial heart implant in 1982 and lived on for three post-operative months. He died in March 1983, having survived 112 days with the world's first permanent, pneumatic, totally artificial heart. NOVA follows the case with the surgeon, William DeVries, and looks at the prospects for this technology to save lives. This programme investigates the risk, costs and controversies surrounding the development of the artificial heart.
"Talking Turtle"	October 25, 1983	1011
NOVA looks at computers in the classroom through the eyes of MIT's Seymour Papert, father of the Turtle - a computerized robot that crawls on the floor and talks in versatile language even five-year-olds can learn. First aired on Horizon on the BBC on February 14th, 1983. William Jarvis was the narrator for the British Language version.
"Papua New Guinea: Anthropology on Trial"	November 1, 1983	1012
Remote tribes and exotic islanders have been made known to the world through the lens of anthropology. But in recent years, some of these people have begun to object. NOVA travels to Margaret Mead's Papua New Guinea and looks at anthropology from the other side.
"To Live Until You Die: The Work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross"	November 8, 1983	1013
Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross has become a legend in her lifetime for her work with the dying. For the first time on American (public) television, her explorations with patients are captured in film, as NOVA presents an intimate portrait of the Swiss-born psychiatrist at work.
"A Magic Way of Going: The Story of Thoroughbreds"	November 15, 1983	1014
Can the thoroughbred horse run any faster? NOVA examines the billion-dollar horse raci g industry in its search for the magic combination of speed, stamina and the will to win.
"A Normal Face: The Wonders of Plastic Surgery"	November 22, 1983	1015
When plastic surgeons repair the shattered face of a soldier or rescue a child from a disfiguring disease, the victory is more than skin-deep. NOVA looks at the history, heroes and miracles of plastic surgery in mending the accidents of war and birth.
"Captives of Care"	November 29, 1983	1016
Patients of an Australian institution for the severely handicapped rebel against a pair of over-zealous custodians. This astonishing true story was filmed as a docudrama, written and performed by the patients themselves.
"Twenty-Five Years in Space"	December 6, 1983	1017
As the American space programme celebrates (celebrated) its 25th anniversary this (that) year, NOVA chronicles the effects of the space age on earth, drawing on popular music, film and television archives from the last (first) quarter of a century.
"Nuclear Strategy for Beginners"	December 13, 1983	1018
Will nuclear weapons deter World War III or only make it more likely? NOVA explores th military strategies of the nuclear age, now that the challenge may no longer be to win global war but to prevent it.
"The Climate Crisis"	December 20, 1983	1019
This summer's record temperatures may be one of the signs that the earth's atmosphere is warming up. NOVA looks at the climate predictions and hazard warnings for the next (this) century, based on the effects of our soaring consumption of fossil fuels.
"Eyes Over China"	December 27, 1983	1020
NOVA documents a dramatic encounter in international medicine when an American plane lands in China - equipped with a state-of-the-art eye-operating theater - and two very different medical systems meet eyeball to eyeball.
"Alcoholism: Life Under The Influence"	January 10, 1984	1021
In a culture laced with alcohol, the search for a scientific understanding of alcoholism is as complex as the disease. In an interdisciplinary report, NOVA looks at the many faces of alcoholism - medical, historical and social.
"The Case of ESP"	January 17, 1984	1101
First aired on the BBC programme Horizon as a full 90 minute episode which was aired September 26th, 1983. NOVA edited 60 minute version. In the past decade, a number of researchers have begun systematic laboratory research into extrasensory perception - ESP. NOVA considers the claims for - and against - paranormal phenomena and looks at some startling applications in the field of archaeology, criminology and warfare.
"Antarctica: Earth’s Last Frontier"	January 31, 1984	1102
An astronaut once observed a great white light shining out from the bottom of our world: Antarctica, the ice-covered continent we are only just beginning to understand. NOVA visits the wilderness of ice, larger than the United States and Mexico combined, whose only warm-blooded residents are seals, skuas, penguins and scientists.
"China’s Only Child"	February 14, 1984	1103
Efforts to control the population explosion are among the burning controversies of our time. NOVA looks at the one-child policy of the People's Republic of China, a revolutionary decree with profound implications for a people accustomed to traditionally large families.
"Will I Walk Again?"	February 28, 1984	1104
Is there a cure for paralyzing spinal injuries? Most neurosurgeons are doubtful, pointing to the central nervous system's most apparent inability to heal itself. But others dispute the point. NOVA explores the debate, the hopes for a cure and recent breakthroughs to help paralyzed patients.
"Visions of the Deep: The Underwater World of Al Giddings"	March 6, 1984	1105
Al Giddings is one of the greatest underwater photographers in the world. In a riveting look at the unearthly beauties and terrors of the seas, NOVA presents a portrait of Giddings at work.
"Down on the Farm"	March 20, 1984	1106
Agriculture is America's biggest industry. This productivity, envied around the world, is also depleting the most essential ingredients in farming: water and soil. NOVA looks at the agricultural dilemma, the short term need for profit and long term needs of the land.
"Make My People Live: The Crisis in Indian Health Care"	March 27, 1984	1107
What are America's obligations to its native population? As an important Indian health act comes up for renewal in Congress this Spring (1984), NOVA explores the state of medical care for a proud but vulnerable minority.
"The World According to Weisskopf"	April 3, 1984	1108 Victor Weisskopf: physicist, lover of music and citizen of the world. NOVA profiles the international statesman of science and learns that one of the giants of 20th century physics is also one of the country's greatest humanists.

Season 12: 1984–1985

Title	Original air date	Code
"Space Bridge to Moscow"	October 2, 1984	1120
"The National Science Test I"	October 16, 1984	1109
NOVA departs from tradition with the first National Science Test. Viewers can match wits with celebrity panelists Jane Alexander, Jules Bergman, Marva Collins and Edwin Newman. Art Fleming hosts.
"Fountains of Paradise"	October 23, 1984	1110
"The Mystery of Yellow Rain"	October 30, 1984	1111
"The Nomads of the Rain Forest"	November 6, 1984	1112
"Farmers of the Sea"	November 13, 1984	1113
"Frontiers of Plastic Surgery"	November 20, 1984	1114
"Space Women"	November 27, 1984	1115
"Jaws: The True Story"	December 4, 1984	1116
"Acid Rain: New Bad News"	December 11, 1984	1117
"Stephen Jay Gould: This View of Life"	December 18, 1984	1118
"The Garden of Inheritance"	January 8, 1985	1119
"Edgerton and His Incredible Seeing Machines"	January 15, 1985	1201
"Global Village"	January 22, 1985	1202
"Conquest of the Parasites"	January 29, 1985	1203
"In the Land of the Polar Bears"	February 5, 1985	1204
"AIDS: Chapter One"	February 12, 1985	1205
"The Shape of Things"	February 19, 1985	1206
"Baby Talk"	February 26, 1985	1207
"The Mathematical Mystery Tour"	March 5, 1985	1208
"Child’s Play: Prodigies and Possibilities"	March 12, 1985	1209
"Monarch of the Mountains"	March 19, 1985	1210

Season 13: 1985–1986

Title	Original air date	Code
"The National Science Test II"	October 8, 1985	1211
"Seeds of Tomorrow"	October 15, 1985	1212
"What Einstein Never Knew"	October 22, 1985	1213
"The Robot Revolution?"	October 29, 1985	1214
"The Magic of Special Effects"	November 5, 1985	1215
"Child Survival: The Silent Emergency"	November 12, 1985	1216
"Tornado!"	November 19, 1985	1217
"The Genetic Gamble"	November 26, 1985	1218
Can gene therapy correct genetic defects in humans? NOVA travels to the shore of Lake Maracaibo with Nancy Wexler, looking for the exact genetic basis of Huntington's disease.
"Animal Architects"	December 3, 1985	1219
"The Plane that Changed the World"	December 17, 1985	1220
"Halley’s Comet: Once in a Lifetime"	January 21, 1986	1301
"Goddess of the Earth"	January 28, 1986	1302
"Horsemen of China"	February 4, 1986	1303
"Life’s First Feelings"	February 11, 1986	1304
"The Case of the Frozen Addict"	February 18, 1986	1305
"Toxic Trials"	February 25, 1986	1306
"Skydive to the Rain Forest"	March 4, 1986	1307
"Return of the Osprey"	March 11, 1986	1308
"The Rise of a Wonder Drug"	March 18, 1986	1309
"When Wonder Drugs Don't Work"	March 25, 1986	1310
"Visions of 'Star Wars'"	April 22, 1986	TBA
Two-hour special.

Season 14: 1986–1987

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Search for the Disappeared"	October 14, 1986	1311
"The Planet that Got Knocked on its Side"	October 21, 1986	1312
"High-Tech Babies"	November 4, 1986	1313
"Can AIDS Be Stopped?"	November 11, 1986	1314
"Is Anybody Out There?"	November 18, 1986	1315
"The Mystery of the Animal Pathfinders"	November 25, 1986	1316
"Are You Swimming in a Sewer?"	December 2, 1986	1317
"Sail Wars!"	December 9, 1986	1318
"Leprosy Can Be Cured!"	December 16, 1986	1319
"How Babies Get Made"	January 13, 1987	1320
"Countdown to the Invisible Universe"	January 20, 1987	1401
"Children of Eve"	January 27, 1987	1402
"Why Planes Crash"	February 3, 1987	1403
"Orangutans of the Rainforest"	February 10, 1987	1404
"Freud Under Analysis"	February 17, 1987	1405
"The Hole in the Sky"	February 24, 1987	1406
"Confessions of a Weaponeer"	March 3, 1987	1407
"Great Moments from NOVA"	March 10, 1987	Special
NOVA presents two hours of the best from its 14 seasons of exciting science coverage. A "talking" chimp, an exploding volcano and a sight-and-sound space video are but a few of the memorable segments. Richard Kiley hosts.
"Will the World Starve?"	March 24, 1987	1408
"The Desert Doesn't Bloom Here Anymore"	March 31, 1987	1409
"Rocky Road to Jupiter"	April 7, 1987	1410

Season 15: 1987–1988

Title	Original air date	Code
"Death of a Star"	October 6, 1987	1411
A star blows itself apart in a nearby galaxy, and astronomers scramble to study the rare appearance of a supernova. NOVA covers a fast-breaking science story as it is happening. Including scenes taken from Las Campanas Observatory in Chile and many others in the U.S., Australia and South Africa. Narrated by Bill Mason. Later, it was broadcast as a Horizon episode on the BBC, the Norddeutsche Rundfunk (NDR) in Germany and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
"Spy Machines"	October 13, 1987	1412
"The Hidden Power of Plants"	October 20, 1987	1413
"Japan’s American Genius"	October 27, 1987	1414
"A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama"	November 3, 1987	1415
"Volcano!"	November 10, 1987	1416
"How Good is Soviet Science?"	November 17, 1987	1417
"Ancient Treasures from the Deep"	December 1, 1987	1418
"Riddle of the Joints"	December 8, 1987	1419
"Secrets of the Lost Red Paint People"	December 15, 1987	1420
"Top Gun and Beyond"	January 19, 1988	1501
"How to Create a Junk Food"	January 26, 1988	1502
"Buried in Ice"	February 2, 1988	1503
"Why Planes Burn"	February 9, 1988	1504
"Battles in the War on Cancer: A Wonder Drug on Trial"	February 23, 1988	1505
"Battles in the War on Cancer: Breast Cancer - Turning the Tide"	March 1, 1988	1506
"The Mystery of the Master Builders"	March 8, 1988	1507
"Whale Rescue"	March 15, 1988	TBA
"The Man Who Loved Numbers (Re-edit of episode aired during 8th season titled "Ramanujan - The Man Who Loved Numbers".)"	March 22, 1988	1508
"Race for the Superconductor"	March 29, 1988	1509
"Can You Still Get Polio?"	April 5, 1988	1510

Season 16: 1988–1989

Title	Original air date	Code
"Pioneers of Surgery: The Brutal Craft"	September 6, 1988	1511
"Pioneers of Surgery: Into the Heart"	September 13, 1988	1512
"Pioneers of Surgery: New Organs for Old"	September 20, 1988	1513
"Pioneers of Surgery: Beyond the Knife"	September 27, 1988	1514
"Can the Vatican Save the Sistine Chapel?"	October 4, 1988	1515
"Can the Next President Win the Space Race?"	October 11, 1988	1516
"Do Scientists Cheat?"	October 25, 1988	1517
"Who Shot President Kennedy?"	November 15, 1988	1518
"The Light Stuff"	November 22, 1988	1519
"The All-American Bear"	December 6, 1988	1520
"Can We Make a Better Doctor?"	December 13, 1988	1521
Part one of a ten-year study. See also "So You Want to Be a Doctor?", "Making of a Doctor", and "Doctors' Diaries".
"Hot Enough for You?"	January 17, 1989	1601
"The Last Journey of a Genius"	January 24, 1989	1602
Re-narrated Horizon episode, "The Quest for Tannu Tuva".[4]
"The Strange New Science of Chaos"	January 31, 1989	1603
"Back to Chernobyl"	February 14, 1989	1604
NOVA goes to the Soviet Union for an inside investigation of the world's most catastrophic nuclear power accident with correspondent Bill Kurtis.
"God, Darwin and Dinosaurs"	February 21, 1989	1605
"Adrift on the Gulf Stream"	February 28, 1989	1606
"Secrets of Easter Island"	March 7, 1989	1607
"Legends of Easter Island"	March 14, 1989	1608
"The World Is Full of Oil!"	March 21, 1989	1609
"Confronting the Killer Gene"	March 28, 1989	1610

Season 17: 1989–1990

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Hidden City"	October 3, 1989	1611
"The Controversial Dr. Koop"	October 10, 1989	1612
"Design Wars!"	October 17, 1989	1613
"Echoes of War"	October 24, 1989	1614
"Decoding the Book of Life"	October 31, 1989	1615
"Hurricane!"	November 7, 1989	1616
"Will Venice Survive Its Rescue?"	November 14, 1989	1617
"What Is Music?"	November 21, 1989	1618
"Yellowstone’s Burning Question"	December 5, 1989	1619
"The Schoolboys Who Cracked the Soviet Secret"	December 12, 1989	1620
"Poison in the Rockies"	January 9, 1990	1701
"Race for the Top"	January 23, 1990	1702
"Disguises of War"	February 6, 1990	1703
"The Bomb’s Lethal Legacy"	February 13, 1990	1704
"The Big Spill"	February 27, 1990	1705
"The Genius That Was China: Rise of the Dragon"	March 20, 1990[5]	1706
"The Genius That Was China: Empires in Collision"	March 27, 1990[5]	1707
"The Genius That Was China: The Threat from Japan"	April 3, 1990[5]	1708
"The Genius That Was China: Will the Dragon Rise Again?"	April 10, 1990[5]	1709

Season 18: 1990–1991

Title	Original air date	Code
"The KGB, The Computer and Me"	October 2, 1990	1710
"Neptune’s Cold Fury"	October 9, 1990	1711
"To Boldly Go..."	October 16, 1990	1712
"Poisoned Winds of War"	October 23, 1990	1713
"The Blimp is Back!"	October 30, 1990	1714
"Earthquake!"	November 6, 1990	1715
"Killing Machines"	November 13, 1990	1716
"Can the Elephant Be Saved?"	November 20, 1990	1717
"We Know Where You Live"	November 27, 1990	1718
"In the Land of the Llamas"	December 4, 1990	1719
"What’s Killing the Children?"	December 18, 1990	1720
"Return to Mt. St. Helens"	January 8, 1991	1801
"ConFusion in a Jar"	January 15, 1991	1802
"The Hunt for China’s Dinosaurs"	February 5, 1991	1804
"Case of the Flying Dinosaur"	February 12, 1991	1805
"T. rex Exposed"	February 19, 1991	1806
"Russian Right Stuff: The Invisible Spaceman"	February 26, 1991	1807
"Russian Right Stuff: The Dark Side of the Moon"	February 27, 1991	1808
"Russian Right Stuff: The Mission"	February 28, 1991	1809
"Swimming With Whales"	March 5, 1991	1810
"The Chip vs. the Chessmaster"	March 26, 1991	1803

Season 19: 1991–1992

Title	Original air date	Code
"Sex, Lies and Toupee Tape"	October 1, 1991	1811
"So You Want to Be a Doctor?"	October 9, 1991	1812
Two-hour part two of a ten year study.
"Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls"	October 15, 1991	1814
"Suicide Mission to Chernobyl"	October 22, 1991	1815
"Taller Than Everest?"	November 5, 1991	1816
"Fastest Planes in the Sky"	November 12, 1991	1817
"Avoiding the Surgeon’s Knife"	December 3, 1991	1818
"Skyscraper! A Nova Special"	December 10, 1991	1819
"The Fine Art of Faking It"	December 17, 1991	1820
"Hell Fighters of Kuwait"	January 14, 1992	1901
"Submarine!"	January 21, 1992	1902
"Saddam’s War on Wildlife"	January 28, 1992	1903
"What Smells?"	February 11, 1992	1904
"Can You Believe TV Ratings?"	February 18, 1992	1905
"Making a Dishonest Buck"	March 3, 1992	1906
"Rescuing Baby Whales"	March 10, 1992	1907
"An Astronaut’s View of the Earth"	March 17, 1992	1908
"Eclipse of the Century"	March 24, 1992	1909

Season 20: 1992–1993

Title	Original air date	Code
"Animal Olympians II"	August 25, 1992	1910
"The Genius Behind the Bomb"	September 29, 1992	1911
"Mind of a Serial Killer"	October 13, 1992	1912
"Search for the First Americans"	October 20, 1992	1913
"Rafting Through the Grand Canyon"	October 27, 1992	1914
"This Old Pyramid"	November 4, 1992	1915
"Iceman"	November 10, 1992	1916
"Private Lives of Dolphins"	November 17, 1992	1917
"Brain Transplant"	December 1, 1992	1918
"Can You Stop People From Drinking?"	December 22, 1992	1919
"Sex and the Single Rhino"	December 29, 1992	1920
"The Hunt for Saddam’s Secret Weapons"	January 12, 1993[6]	2001
"Can Bombing Win a War?"	January 19, 1993	2002
"The Deadly Deception"	January 26, 1993	2003
"Nazis and the Russian Bomb"	February 2, 1993	2004
"In the Path of a Killer Volcano"	February 9, 1993	2005
"Can Science Build a Champion Athlete?"	February 16, 1993	2006
"Diving for Pirate Gold"	February 23, 1993	2007
"Murder, Rape and DNA"	March 2, 1993	2008
"The Lost Tribe"	March 30, 1993	2009

Season 21: 1993–1994

Title	Original air date	Code
"The NOVA Quiz"	October 5, 1993	2010
NOVA fans from around the country match wits in a fast-paced contest of general science knowledge celebrating NOVA's 20th anniversary. Famous guests pose questions for the viewers at home. Marc Summers hosts.
"Wanted: Butch and Sundance"	October 12, 1993	2011
Forensic sleuth Clyde Snow and a posse of experts travel to Bolivia in search of the remains of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They find Hollywood and legend got a few things wrong.
"Secrets of the Psychics"	October 19, 1993	2012
Magician James "The Amazing" Randi tests the claims of mind readers, fortune tellers, faith healers and others with purported paranormal powers. As a magician, "I know how people are deceived," Randi says.
"Dying to Breathe"	October 26, 1993	2013
NOVA covers the tense vigil of three people with terminal lung disease as they await the most complex of all organ transplants — a new lung. Months of waiting end in a few frenzied hours of intricate surgery.
"Shadow of the Condor"	November 2, 1993	2014
NOVA soars with the condor, an extraordinary bird that lives a tenuous existence in the California mountains and the Andes of South America. Footage includes never-before-photographed nesting sites in the cliffs of the Patagonia.
"The Real Jurassic Park"	November 9, 1993	2015
With help from director Steven Spielberg, author Michael Crichton and a host of scientific experts, NOVA investigates what it would take to recreate the dinosaur theme park in Jurassic Park. It won't be as easy as it was for Hollywood.
"Roller Coaster!"	November 16, 1993	2016
NOVA takes viewers on the ride of their lives as it explores the science of roller coasters, where physics and psychology meet. New rides of the future may take place entirely in the mind—with virtual reality. First aired on Channel Four in 1992.
"Mysterious Crash of Flight 201"	November 30, 1993	2017
US federal investigators are called in to determine the cause of a mysterious jetliner crash in Panama. Nothing about the accident makes sense, until a key clue emerges.
"Great Moments from NOVA"	December 7, 1993	2018
Bill Cosby guides viewers through the most exciting footage from two decades of NOVA in a 20th anniversary salute. Real-life action, adventure, mystery, drama and non-stop discovery fill this 90-minute special.
"The Best Mind Since Einstein"	December 21, 1993	2019
A profile of the late Richard Feynman — an atomic bomb pioneer, Nobel prize-winning physicist, acclaimed teacher and all-around eccentric, who helped solve the mystery of the space shuttle Challenger explosion. Edited and re-narrated from the two-part Horizon episode, "No Ordinary Genius".[4]
"Stranger in the Mirror"	December 28, 1993	2020
NOVA explores the nature of human perception through the puzzling condition called visual agnosia, the inability to recognize faces and familiar objects, made famous in Oliver Sacks' book, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat".
"Codebreakers"	January 18, 1994	2101
NOVA delves into the history of secret communications and the people who wrack their brains to decipher them. The program probes the most celebrated of all cryptographic coups: the breaking of the World War II codes used by Japan and Germany and how codebreaking helped shorten the war.
"Dinosaurs of the Gobi"	January 25, 1994	2102
Velociraptors and primitive birds are among the fabulous fossil finds as NOVA accompanies an American Museum of Natural History expedition to the Gobi Desert. The trip relives the exploits of the Museum's dashing explorer of the 1920s, Roy Chapman Andrews -said to be the real-life model for Indiana Jones.
"Daredevils of the Sky"	February 1, 1994	2103
NOVA follows members of the US Aerobatic Team as they prepare for and compete in the 1992 World Aerobatic Championship. The sport, as precisely choreographed as gymnastics-except that it takes place in airplanes at 200 miles per hour-has always been on the leading edge of developments in aviation.
"Journey to Kilimanjaro"	February 8, 1994	2104
NOVA explores ice-capped mountains-on the equator. These African giants are magical islands of life towering above the scorched plains. Giant forest hogs, bearded vultures, the elusive bongo and other exotic creatures live in this harsh and isolated high country.
"Can Chimps Talk?"	February 15, 1994	2105
NOVA covers exciting and controversial research with chimpanzees who have been trained to express themselves with human symbols. Are they speaking their minds? Or are they just aping their trainers?
"In Search of Human Origins, Part One"	February 28, 1994	2106
In the first of a three-part series, noted anthropologist Donald Johanson probes the earliest ancestors of the human species - reaching back more than three million years to a strange ape who walked upright. Johanson takes viewers to the site in Ethiopia where he discovered the fossil remains of this missing link nicknamed "Lucy."
"In Search of Human Origins, Part Two"	March 1, 1994	2107
Anthropologist Donald Johanson looks at how our human ancestors of two million years ago made their living. Contrary to popular myth, scavenging was a more lucrative living than hunting-and may have contributed to the development of human intelligence.
"In Search of Human Origins, Part Three"	March 2, 1994	2108
At what point did our distant ancestors become anatomically like us? And, more importantly, when did they begin to act like us? Anthropologist Donald Johanson looks at what it is that makes us human.
"Can China Kick the Habit?"	April 12, 1994	2109
NOVA visits the most cigarette-addicted nation in the world-China. Western advertising and trading practices have exacerbated the fatal romance with smoking in the world's most populous country, where lung cancer cases are beginning to strain the nation's health care system.
"Aircraft Carrier!"	April 19, 1994	2110
NOVA experiences the relentless, round-the-clock life aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier, Independence-where every day is a constant drill of launching and landing aircraft atop a floating city of 5,000 people. The action includes Top Gun mock combat exercises and live-ammunition patrols over Iraq.

Season 22: 1994–1995

Title	Original air date	Code
"The Great Wildlife Heist"	October 11, 1994	2111
"The Secret of the Wild Child"	October 18, 1994	2112
"Haunted Cry of a Long Gone Bird"	October 25, 1994	2113
"What’s New About Menopause"	November 1, 1994	2114
"The Tribe that Time Forgot"	November 8, 1994	2115
"Killer Quake!"	November 15, 1994	2116
"Buried in Ash"	November 29, 1994	2117
"Rescue Mission in Space"	December 6, 1994	2118
"Journey to the Sacred Sea"	December 20, 1994	2119
"In Search of the First Language"	December 27, 1994	2120
"Mammoths of the Ice Age"	January 10, 1995	2201
"Vikings in America"	January 24, 1995	2202
"Little Creatures Who Run the World"	January 31, 1995	2203
"Nazi Designers of Death"	February 7, 1995	2204
"Siamese Twins"	February 14, 1995	2205
"Mystery of the Senses: Hearing"	February 19, 1995 [7]	TBA
"Mystery of the Senses: Smell"	February 20, 1995 [7]	TBA
"Mystery of the Senses: Taste"	February 21, 1995 [7]	TBA
"Mystery of the Senses: Touch"	February 22, 1995 [7]	TBA
"Mystery of the Senses: Vision"	February 22, 1995 [7]	TBA
"The Universe Within"	March 7, 1995	2206
"Making of a Doctor"	May 3, 1995	2207
Two-hour part three of a ten-year study
"Fast Cars"	May 23, 1995	2208

Season 23: 1995–1996

Title	Original air date	Code
"Anastasia Dead or Alive?"	October 10, 1995	2209
"Venus Unveiled"	October 17, 1995	2210
"Hawaii Born of Fire"	October 24, 1995	2211
"The Doomsday Asteroid"	October 31, 1995	2212
"Lightning!"	November 7, 1995	2213
"Hunt for the Serial Arsonist"	November 14, 1995	2214
"Treasures of the Great Barrier Reef"	November 28, 1995	2215
"Race to Catch a Buckyball"	December 19, 1995	2216
"Can Buildings Make You Sick?"	December 26, 1995	2217
"Terror in the Mine Fields"	January 9, 1996	2301
"The Day the Earth Shook"	January 16, 1996	2302
"B-29 Frozen in Time"	January 30, 1996	2303
"Plague Fighters" "Ebola: The Plague Fighters[8]"	February 6, 1996	2304
"War Machines of Tomorrow"	February 20, 1996	2305
"Kidnapped by U.F.O.'s?"	February 27, 1996	2306
"Flood!"	March 26, 1996	2307
"Dr. Spock the Baby Doc"	April 2, 1996	2308
"Warriors of the Amazon"	April 9, 1996	2309
"Bombing of America"	April 16, 1996	2310

Season 24: 1996–1997

Title	Original air date	Code
"Einstein Revealed"	October 1, 1996	2311
"Lost City of Arabia"	October 8, 1996	2312
"Three Men and a Balloon"	October 15, 1996	2313
"Secrets of Making Money"	October 22, 1996	2314
"Top Gun Over Moscow"	November 12, 1996	2315
"Shark Attack"	November 19, 1996	2316
"Odyssey of Life: The Ultimate Journey"	November 24, 1996	2317
"Odyssey of Life: The Unknown World"	November 25, 1996	2318
"Odyssey of Life: The Photographer’s Secrets"	November 26, 1996	2319
"Cracking the Ice Age"	December 31, 1996	2320
"Kaboom!"	January 14, 1997	2401
"Titanic’s Lost Sister"	January 28, 1997	2402
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Stonehenge"	February 11, 1997	2403
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Inca"	February 11, 1997	2404
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Obelisk"	February 12, 1997	2405
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Colosseum"	February 12, 1997	2406
"Hunt for Alien Worlds"	February 18, 1997	2407
"Curse of T. rex"	February 25, 1997	2408
"Cut to the Heart"	April 8, 1997	2409
"Kingdom of the Seahorse"	April 15, 1997	2410

Season 25: 1997–1998

Title	Original air date	Code
"Coma"	October 7, 1997	2411
"Faster Than Sound"	October 14, 1997	2412
"Bomb Squad"	October 21, 1997	2413
A Windfall Films production for WGBH in association with Channel 4 (UK).[9] Original Channel 4 Equinox episode, "The Men with Nine Lives".[10]
"The Proof"	October 28, 1997	2414
Re-narrated Horizon episode, "Fermat’s Last Theorem".[11][12]
"Wild Wolves" with David Attenborough	November 11, 1997	2415
Original BBC Wildlife Specials program, "Wolf: The Legendary Outlaw".[13]
"Super Bridge"	November 12, 1997	2416
"Treasures of the Sunken City"	November 18, 1997	2417
"Avalanche!"	November 25, 1997	2418
"Danger in the Jet Stream"	December 2, 1997	2419
"Night Creatures of the Kalahari"	January 6, 1998	2501
"Mysterious Mummies of China"	January 20, 1998	2502
"Supersonic Spies"	January 27, 1998	2503
"Animal Hospital"	February 3, 1998	2504
"The Brain Eater"	February 10, 1998	2505
"Everest - The Death Zone"	February 24, 1998	2506
"Search for the Lost Cave People"	March 31, 1998	2507
"Warnings from the Ice"	April 21, 1998	2508
"Crocodiles!" with David Attenborough	April 28, 1998	2509
BBC production in association with WGBH.[14] Original BBC Wildlife Specials episode "Crocodile: The Smiling Predator".
"The Truth About Impotence"	May 12, 1998	2510

Season 26: 1998-1999

Title	Original air date	Code
"Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude"	October 6, 1998	2511
"Chasing El Niño"	October 13, 1998	2512
"Terror In Space"	October 27, 1998	2513
"Special Effects: Titanic and Beyond"	November 3, 1998	2514
"Deadly Shadow of Vesuvius"	November 10, 1998	2515
"Ice Mummies: Frozen in Heaven"	November 24, 1998	2516
"Ice Mummies: Siberian Ice Maiden"	November 24, 1998	2517
"Ice Mummies: Return of the Iceman"	November 24, 1998	2518
"Leopards of the Night" with David Attenborough	December 1, 1998	2519
"The Perfect Pearl"	December 29, 1998	2520
"The Beast of Loch Ness"	January 12, 1999	2601
"Submarines, Secrets, and Spies"	January 19, 1999	2602
"Surviving AIDS"	February 2, 1999	2603
"Escape! Because Accidents Happen: Fire"	February 16, 1999	2604
"Escape! Because Accidents Happen: Car Crash"	February 16, 1999	2605
"Escape! Because Accidents Happen: Plane Crash"	February 17, 1999	2606
"Escape! Because Accidents Happen: Abandon Ship"	February 17, 1999	2607
"Battle Alert in the Gulf"	February 23, 1999	2608
"Volcanoes of the Deep"	March 30, 1999	2609
"To the Moon"	July 13, 1999	2610
A two-hour special marking the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

Season 27: 1999–2000

Title	Original air date	Code
"Fall of the Leaning Tower"	October 5, 1999	2611
"Everest: Mystery of Mallory and Irvine"	October 6, 1999	2612
"Time Travel"	October 12, 1999	2613
"The Killer’s Trail"	October 19, 1999	2614
"Island of the Spirits"	November 2, 1999	2615
"Decoding Nazi Secrets"	November 9, 1999	2616
"Voyage of Doom"	November 23, 1999	2617
"Electric Heart"	December 21, 1999	2618
"Tales from the Hive[note 1]"	January 4, 2000	2701
"Lost on Everest"	January 18, 2000	2702
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Medieval Siege"	February 1, 2000	TBA
Five-part series produced by WGBH in association with Channel 4 and France 5.[15]
"Diamond Deception"	February 1, 2000	2703
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Pharaoh’s Obelisk"	February 8, 2000	TBA
"Trillion Dollar Bet"	February 8, 2000	2704
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Easter Island"	February 15, 2000	TBA
"Mystery of the First Americans"	February 15, 2000	2705
"Secrets of Lost Empires: Roman Bath"	February 22, 2000	TBA
"Lost Tribes of Israel"	February 22, 2000	2706
"Secrets of Lost Empires: China Bridge"	February 29, 2000	TBA
"What’s Up with the Weather?"	April 18, 2000	TBA
A coproduction with FRONTLINE.
"Stationed in the Stars"	April 25, 2000	2707
"The Vikings"	May 9, 2000	2708

Season 28: 2000–2001

Title	Original air date	Code
"Lincoln’s Secret Weapon"	October 24, 2000	2710
"Holocaust on Trial"	October 31, 2000	2711
"Hitler's Lost Sub"	November 14, 2000	2712
"Runaway Universe"	November 21, 2000	2713
"Garden of Eden"	November 28, 2000	2714
"Dying to Be Thin"	December 12, 2000	2715
"Japan’s Secret Garden"	December 18, 2000	2716
"Sultan’s Lost Treasure"	January 16, 2001	2801
"Vanished!"	January 30, 2001	2802
Tells the story of the search for the Avro Lancaster bomber, Star Dust, that crashed in the Andes on its way to Santiago, Chile. BBC / WGBH co-production.[16] Broadcast in 2000 as BBC Horizon episode, "Vanished: The Plane That Disappeared".[17]
"Nazi Prison Escape"	February 6, 2001	2803
Edited from Windfall Films series for Channel 4 (UK) - Escape From Colditz.[18]
"Lost King of the Maya"	February 13, 2001	2804
This episode focuses on the search for the tomb of K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo', one of the first Ajaws of the Mayan city of Copán.
"Cancer Warrior"	February 27, 2001	2805
Focuses on the cancer treatments developed by surgeon Judah Folkman.
"Survivor M.D.: Tattooed Doctor"	March 27, 2001	2806
"Survivor M.D.: Second Opinions"	April 3, 2001	2807
"Survivor M.D.: Hearts & Minds"	April 10, 2001	2808
"Cracking the Code of Life"	April 17, 2001	2809
"Harvest of Fear"	April 24, 2001	TBA
A coproduction with FRONTLINE.

Season 29: 2001–2002

Title	Original air date	Code
"Search for a Safe Cigarette"	October 2, 2001	2810
"18 Ways to Make a Baby"	October 9, 2001	2811
"Secrets of the Mind"	October 23, 2001	2812
"Sex: Unknown"	October 30, 2001	2813
"Russia’s Nuclear Warriors"	November 6, 2001	2814
"Bioterror"	November 13, 2001	2815
Two versions, 90 minutes 2/12/2002 and 60 minutes 11/13/2001
"Life’s Greatest Miracle"	November 20, 2001	2816
"Methuselah Tree"	December 11, 2001	2817
"Flying Casanovas"	December 25, 2001	2818
"Death Star"	January 8, 2002	2901
"Neanderthals on Trial"	January 22, 2002	2902
"Fireworks!"	January 29, 2002	2903
"Secrets, Lies, and Atomic Spies"	February 5, 2002	2904
"The Missing Link"	February 26, 2002	2905
"Shackleton’s Voyage of Endurance"	March 26, 2002	2906
"Why the Towers Fell"	April 30, 2002	2907
BBC / WGBH co-production.[19] Broadcast as Horizon episode, "The Fall of the World Trade Center".
"Fire Wars"	May 7, 2002	2908

Season 30: 2002–2003

Title	Original air date	Code
"Killer Disease on Campus"	September 3, 2002	2909
"Mysterious Life of Caves"	October 1, 2002	2910
"Lost Roman Treasure"	October 8, 2002	2911
"Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens"	October 29, 2002	2912
"Volcano’s Deadly Warning"	November 12, 2002	2913
"Sinking City of Venice"	November 19, 2002	2914
"The Orchid Hunter"	November 26, 2002	2915
"Spies That Fly"	January 7, 2003	3001
"Last Flight of Bomber 31"	January 14, 2003	3002
"Ancient Creature of the Deep"	January 21, 2003	3003
"Battle of the X-Planes"	February 4, 2003	3004
"Mountain of Ice"	February 11, 2003	3005
"Lost Treasures of Tibet"	February 18, 2003	3006
"Dirty Bomb"	February 25, 2003 [20]	3007
"Deep Sea Invasion"	April 1, 2003	3008
"Secret of Photo 51"	April 15, 2003	3009

Season 31: 2003–2004

Title	Original air date	Code
"Infinite Secrets"	September 30, 2003	3010
"Who Killed the Red Baron?"	October 7, 2003	3011
Edited from Channel 4 (UK) series Secret History December 22, 2002 episode "Dogfight - The Mystery of the Red Baron."
"The Elegant Universe: Einstein’s Dream"	October 28, 2003	3012
"The Elegant Universe: String’s the Thing"	October 28, 2003	3013
"The Elegant Universe: Welcome to the 11th Dimension"	November 4, 2003	3014
"Wright Brothers' Flying Machine"	November 11, 2003	3015
"Magnetic Storm"	November 18, 2003	3016
"Volcano Above the Clouds"	November 25, 2003	3017
"Mars Dead or Alive"	January 4, 2004	3101
"Secrets of the Crocodile Caves"	January 20, 2004	3102
"Dogs and More Dogs"	February 3, 2004	3103
"Descent into the Ice"	February 10, 2004	3104
"Crash of Flight 111"	February 17, 2004	3105
"Life and Death in the War Zone"	March 4, 2004	3106
"Hunt for the Supertwister"	March 30, 2004	3107
"World in the Balance"	April 20, 2004	3108
"Battle Plan Under Fire"	May 4, 2004	3110

Season 32: 2004–2005

Title	Original air date	Code
"Origins: Earth is Born"	September 28, 2004	3111
Edited from Channel 4 (UK) series The Day the Earth was Born episode "Creation".
"Origins: How Life Began"	September 28, 2004	3112
Edited from Channel 4 (UK) series The Day the Earth was Born episode "Life".
"Origins: Where Are the Aliens?"	September 29, 2004	3113
"Origins: Back to the Beginning"	September 29, 2004	3114
"The Most Dangerous Woman in America"	October 12, 2004	3115
"America’s Stone Age Explorers"	November 9, 2004	3116
Original BBC Horizon episode, "Stone Age Columbus", first broadcast in 2002.[21][22]
"Great Escape"	November 16, 2004	3117
Windfall Films production for Five (UK) / WGBH / The History Channel (UK) originally broadcast on Five in March 2004 as The Great Escape: Revealed.[23]
"Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land"	November 23, 2004	3118
"Welcome to Mars"	January 4, 2005	3201
Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers.
"The Boldest Hoax"	January 11, 2005	3202
One of the most famous hoaxes in archaeological history, the Piltdown Man. Original BBC Timewatch episode "Britain’s Greatest Hoax".[24]
"Supersonic Dream"	January 18, 2005	3203
Original BBC Timewatch episode "Concorde: A Love Story".[25]
"The Viking Deception"	February 8, 2005	3205
Original Channel 4 (UK) documentary Vinland: Viking Map or Million-Dollar Hoax?.[26]
"Saving the National Treasures"	February 15, 2005	3206
"A Daring Flight"	February 22, 2005	3207
"Wave That Shook the World"	March 29, 2005	3208
Original Channel 4 (UK) Equinox episode, "The Wave That Shook The World".[27][28]

Season 33: 2005–2006

Title	Original air date	Code
"Mystery of the Megaflood"	September 20, 2005	3211
"Sinking the Supership"	October 4, 2005	3212
"Einstein’s Big Idea (E=mc²: Einstein's Big Idea)"	October 11, 2005	3213
"Volcano Under the City"	November 1, 2005	3215
"Hitler’s Sunken Secret"	November 8, 2005	3216
"Newton’s Dark Secrets"	November 15, 2005	3217
Original BBC documentary, Newton: The Dark Heretic, first broadcast in 2003.[29][30]
"Storm That Drowned A City"	November 22, 2005	3218
"The Mummy Who Would Be King"	January 3, 2006	3301
"Deadly Ascent"	January 17, 2006	3303
"The Perfect Corpse"	February 7, 2006	3304
"Jewel of the Earth"	February 14, 2006	3305
Re-edited from the BBC Natural World program, "The Amber Time Machine".[31]
"The Ghost Particle"	February 21, 2006	3306
Original BBC Horizon episode, "Project Poltergeist".[32]
"Arctic Passage"	February 28, 2006	3307
Re-narrated Channel 4 (UK) documentary, The Search for the Northwest Passage [33][34]
"The Great Robot Race"	March 28, 2006	3308
"Voyage to the Mystery Moon"	April 4, 2006	3309
Edited from BBC Horizon episodes, "Saturn: Lord of the Rings" and "Titan: A Place Like Home".[35]
"Dimming the Sun"	April 18, 2006	3310
Re-edited Horizon episode, "Global Dimming".[36][37]

Season 34: 2006–2007

Title	Original air date	Code
"Building on Ground Zero"	September 5, 2006	3311
BBC / WGBH co-production.
"Mystery of the Megavolcano"	September 26, 2006	3312
"The Deadliest Plane Crash"	October 17, 2006	3314
An investigation into the Tenerife airport disaster.
"Monster of the Milky Way"	October 31, 2006	3315
"Wings of Madness"	November 7, 2006	3316
"The Family That Walks On All Fours"	November 14, 2006	3317
"Underwater Dream Machine"	December 26, 2006	3319
"Forgotten Genius"	February 6, 2007	3402
"The Last Great Ape"	February 13, 2007	3403
Re-edited from BBC Natural World program "Bonobo: Missing in Action".[38]
"Kings of Camouflage"	April 3, 2007	3404
"First Flower"	April 17, 2007	3405
"Saved by the Sun"	April 24, 2007	3406
"Pocahontas Revealed"	May 8, 2007	3407
"Bone Diggers"	June 19, 2007	3408
"The Great Inca Rebellion"	June 26, 2007	3409

Season 35: 2007–2008

Title	Original air date	Code
"Secrets of the Samurai Sword"	October 9, 2007	3412
"Ghost in Your Genes"	October 16, 2007	3413
Original BBC Horizon episode broadcast in 2005.[39]
"Marathon Challenge"	October 30, 2007	3414
"Sputnik Declassified"	November 6, 2007	3415
"Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial"	November 13, 2007	3416
"Master of the Killer Ants"	November 20, 2007	3417
This re-narrated version of the French documentary Jaglavak, Prince of Insects looks at the relationship the Mofu people of northern Cameroon have with insects, such as using red driver ants to combat termites.[40]
"Missing in MiG Alley"	December 18, 2007	3418
"Absolute Zero: The Conquest of Cold"	January 8, 2008	3504
A Windfall Films production for BBC Four broadcast in December 2007.[41][42]
"Absolute Zero: The Race for Absolute Zero"	January 15, 2008	3505
A Windfall Films production for BBC Four broadcast in December 2007.[41][42]
"Secrets of the Parthenon"	January 29, 2008	3503
"Astrospies"	February 12, 2008	3501
"Ape Genius"	February 19, 2008	3507
"The Four-Winged Dinosaur"	February 26, 2008	3502
"Cracking the Maya Code"	April 8, 2008	3508
"Car of the Future"	April 22, 2008	3509
"A Walk to Beautiful"	May 13, 2008	3506
"Lord of the Ants"	May 20, 2008	3510

Season 36: 2008–2009

Title	Original air date	Code
"Arctic Dinosaurs"	October 7, 2008	3511
Trek through Alaska to explore how dinosaurs once thrived in polar regions.
"Space Shuttle Disaster"	October 14, 2008	3512
"Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives"	October 21, 2008	3513
"Hunting the Hidden Dimension"	October 28, 2008	3514
You may not know it, but fractals, like the air you breathe, are all around you. Their irregular, repeating shapes are found in cloud formations and tree limbs, in stalks of broccoli and craggy mountain ranges, even in the rhythm of the human heart. In this film, NOVA takes viewers on a fascinating quest with a group of maverick mathematicians determined to decipher the rules that govern fractal geometry. For centuries, fractal-like irregular shapes were considered beyond the boundaries of mathematical understanding. Now, mathematicians have finally begun mapping this uncharted territory. Their remarkable findings are deepening our understanding of nature and stimulating a new wave of scientific, medical, and artistic innovation stretching from the ecology of the rain forest to fashion design. The documentary highlights a host of filmmakers, fashion designers, physicians, and researchers who are using fractal geometry to innovate and inspire.
"Alien from Earth"	November 11, 2008	3515
"The Bible's Buried Secrets"	November 18, 2008	3516
"Ocean Animal Emergency"	November 25, 2008	3517
"Is There Life on Mars?"	December 30, 2008	3518
"The Big Energy Gamble"	January 20, 2009	3519
"The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies"	January 27, 2009	3601
"The Spy Factory"	February 3, 2009	3602
"Rat Attack"	February 24, 2009	3603
"Extreme Ice"	March 24, 2009	3604
"Last Extinction"	March 31, 2009	3607
Also titled in re-broadcasts as "Megabeasts' Sudden Death".
"Doctors' Diaries, Part One"	April 7, 2009	3608
"Doctors' Diaries, Part Two"	April 14, 2009	3609
"Musical Minds"	June 30, 2009	3610

Season 37: 2009–2010

Title	Original air date	Code
"Darwin’s Darkest Hour"	October 6, 2009	3605-3606
"Hubble’s Amazing Rescue"	October 13, 2009	3611
"Lizard Kings"	October 20, 2009	3616
"Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors: First Steps"	November 3, 2009	3613
"Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors: Birth of Humanity"	November 10, 2009	3614
"Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors: Last Human Standing"	November 17, 2009	3615
"What Are Dreams? (Co-produced by the BBC)"	November 24, 2009	3612
"What Darwin Never Knew"	December 29, 2009	3617
"Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor"	January 5, 2010	3701
"Building Pharaoh’s Ship"	January 12, 2010	3702
"Riddles of the Sphinx"	January 19, 2010	3703
"Ghosts of Machu Picchu"	February 2, 2010	3704
"Extreme Cave Diving"	February 9, 2010	3705
"The Pluto Files"	March 2, 2010	3706
"Hunting the Edge of Space (part 1): The Mystery of the Milky Way"	April 6, 2010	3708
"Hunting the Edge of Space (part 2): The Ever Expanding Universe"	April 13, 2010	3709
"Mind Over Money: How Human Psychology and Finance Interact"	April 27, 2010	3707
"Mt. St. Helens: Back From The Dead"	May 4, 2010	3710

Season 38: 2010–2011

^[43]

Title	Original air date	Code
"Building the Great Cathedrals"	October 19, 2010	3711
"Emergency Mine Rescue"	October 26, 2010	3712
This one-hour 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. Conferred special access, NOVA's film crew interviewed engineers, NASA experts, medical personnel, and key figures from the companies that provided drills and crucial rescue equipment to give a more detailed scientific account of the unfolding events. The resulting film, using footage from the scene as well as advanced animation, showcases the extraordinary feats of engineering as well as the biological and geological factors inherent in the rescue. "Emergency Mine Rescue" also examines the psychological and physiological impact of this kind of prolonged ordeal on the miners and those involved in the rescue efforts. Co-produced with Channel Four UK.
"Trapped in an Elevator"	November 2, 2010	3713
"Dogs Decoded"	November 9, 2010	3714
"Secrets of Stonehenge"	November 16, 2010	3715
"Quest for Solomon’s Mines"	November 23, 2010	3716
"Secrets Beneath the Ice"	December 28, 2010	3717
"Deadliest Earthquakes (Haiti and Chile)"	January 11, 2011	3801
"Making Stuff (With David Pogue): Stronger"	January 19, 2011	3802
"Making Stuff: Smaller"	January 26, 2011	3803
"Making Stuff: Cleaner"	February 2, 2011	3804
"Making Stuff: Smarter"	February 9, 2011	3805
"Smartest Machine on Earth: Can a Computer Win on Jeopardy!?"	February 9, 2011	3806
"Crash of Flight 447"	February 16, 2011	3807
"Venom: Nature's Killer"	February 23, 2011	3808
"Japan's Killer Quake"	March 30, 2011[44]	3810
"Power Surge"	April 20, 2011[45]	3809

Season 39: 2011–2012

Title	Original air date	Code
"Engineering Ground Zero"	September 7, 2011	3811
"Surviving The Tsunami (Produced by NHK)"	September 28, 2011	3812
"Finding Life Beyond Earth"	October 19, 2011	3813/3814
"Iceman Murder Mystery"	October 26, 2011	3815
"The Fabric of the Cosmos: What is Space?"	November 2, 2011	3816
"The Fabric of the Cosmos: The Illusion of Time"	November 9, 2011	3817
"The Fabric of the Cosmos: Quantum Leap"	November 16, 2011	3818
"The Fabric of the Cosmos: Universe or Multiverse?"	November 23, 2011	3819
"Deadliest Volcanoes"	January 4, 2012	3901
"Bombing Hitler's Dams"	January 11, 2012	3902
A recreation of Operation Chastise and the bouncing bomb, using a Buffalo Airways DC-4 airplane (C-FIQM). Counterpart to the UK documentary Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb, Canadian documentary Dambusters Fly Again, Ice Pilots NWT season 3 episode 2 "Dambusters" show.[46][47][48][49][50][51]
"3D Spies of WWII"	January 18, 2012	3903
Discusses the Allied aerial reconnaissance program, and how the usage of 3D imagery revealed much more information than ordinary photographs would have, mostly in relation to the V-weapons.
"Mystery of a Masterpiece"	January 25, 2012	3904
"Ice Age Death Trap"	February 1, 2012	3905
"Separating Twins"	February 8, 2012	3908
This is the incredible story of Trishna and Krishna, twin girls born joined at the head. Abandoned shortly after birth at an orphanage in Bangladesh, they had little chance of survival, until they were saved and taken to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by an aid worker. After two years battling for life, the twins are ready for a series of delicate operations that will prepare them for the ultimate challenge: a marathon separation surgery that will allow them to live truly separate lives. Since the beginning, surgeons knew there was no guarantee of survival for either of the girls—but without surgery there was no hope at all. With exclusive access to this extraordinary human and medical drama, our cameras have been with Trishna and Krishna and their caregivers at each moment of their journey.
"Cracking Your Genetic Code"	March 28, 2012	3909
"Hunting the Elements"	April 4, 2012	3906
"Deadliest Tornadoes"	April 11, 2012	3910
"Why Ships Sink"	April 18, 2012	3911
Twenty million passengers embark on cruises each year, vacationing in deluxe "floating cities" that offer everything from swimming pools to shopping malls to ice rinks. And the ships just keep getting bigger: The average cruise ship has doubled in size in just the last ten years. Some engineers fear that these towering behemoths are dangerously unstable, and the recent tragedy of the Costa Concordia has raised new questions about their safety. Now, NOVA brings together marine engineering and safety experts to reconstruct the events that led up to famous cruise disasters, including the ill-fated Concordia, the Sea Diamond, and the Oceanos.
"Secrets of the Sun"	April 25, 2012	3907

Season 40: 2012–2013

Title	Original air date	Code
"Secrets of the Viking Sword"	October 10, 2012	3913
"Forensics on Trial"	October 17, 2012	3912
"Mystery of Easter Island"	November 7, 2012	3914
"Ultimate Mars Challenge"	November 14, 2012	3915
"Inside the Megastorm"	November 18, 2012	3916
A look at Hurricane Sandy and ways to prepare for future hurricane disasters
"Doomsday Volcanoes"	January 2, 2013	4001
"Decoding Neanderthals"	January 9, 2013	4002
"Rise of the Drones"	January 23, 2013	4003
"Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby"	January 30, 2013	4004
"Building Pharaoh's Chariot"	February 6, 2013	4005
"Earth from Space"	February 13, 2013	4006
"Mind of a Rampage Killer"	February 20, 2013	4008
"Meteor Strike"	March 27, 2013	4013
"Ancient Computer"	April 3, 2013	4007
"Australia's First 4 Billion Years[note 2]"	April 10, 2013	4009
"Australia's First 4 Billion Years: Life Explodes"	April 17, 2013	4010
"Australia's First 4 Billion Years: Monsters"	April 24, 2013	4011
"Australia's First 4 Billion Years: Strange Creatures"	May 1, 2013	4012
"Manhunt - Boston Bombers"	May 29, 2013	4014
"Oklahoma's Deadliest Tornadoes"	May 29, 2013	4015

Season 41: 2013–2014

Title	Original air date	Code
"Ground Zero Supertower"	September 11, 2013	4016
"Megastorm Aftermath"	October 9, 2013	4017
"Making Stuff Faster"	October 16, 2013	4018
"Making Stuff Wilder"	October 23, 2013	4019
"Making Stuff Colder"	October 30, 2013	4020
"Making Stuff Safer"	November 6, 2013	4021
"Cold Case JFK"	November 13, 2013	4022
"At the Edge of Space"	November 20, 2013	4023
"Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?"	November 20, 2013	4024
"Alien Planets Revealed"	January 8, 2014	4101
"Zeppelin Terror Attack"	January 15, 2014	4102
"Killer Typhoon"	January 22, 2014	4106
"Ghosts Of Murdered Kings"	January 29, 2014	4103
"Roman Catacomb Mystery"	February 5, 2014	4104
"Great Cathedral Mystery"	February 12, 2014	4105
"Wild Predator Invasion"	April 2, 2014	4107
"Inside Animal Minds: Bird Genius"	April 9, 2014	4108
"Inside Animal Minds: Dogs & Super Senses"	April 16, 2014	4109
"Inside Animal Minds: Who's the Smartest?"	April 23, 2014	4110
"Why Sharks Attack"	May 7, 2014	4111
"Escape From Nazi Alcatraz"	May 14, 2014	4112
"D-Day's Sunken Secrets"	May 28, 2014	4113

Season 42: 2014–2015

Title	Original air date	Code
"Vaccines — Calling The Shots"	September 10, 2014	4114
Diseases that were largely eradicated in the United States a generation ago—whooping cough, measles, mumps—are returning, in part because nervous parents are skipping their children’s shots. NOVA’s "Vaccines—Calling the Shots" takes viewers around the world to track epidemics, explore the science behind vaccinations, hear from parents wrestling with vaccine-related questions, and shed light on the risks of opting out.
"Rise of the Hackers"	September 24, 2014	4115
Our lives are going digital. We shop, bank, and even date online. Computers hold our treasured photographs, private emails, and all of our personal information. This data is precious—and cybercriminals want it. Now, NOVA goes behind the scenes of the fast-paced world of cryptography to meet the scientists battling to keep our data safe. They are experts in extreme physics, math, and a new field called "ultra-paranoid computing," all working to forge unbreakable codes and build ultra-fast computers. From the sleuths who decoded the world's most advanced cyber weapon to scientists who believe they can store a password in your unconscious brain, NOVA investigates how a new global geek squad is harnessing cutting-edge science, all to stay one step ahead of the hackers.
"Why Planes Vanish"	October 8, 2014	4116
Traces the timeline of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a commercial flight which disappeared 8 March 2014 without any tangible evidence left behind. The episode explores the technologies behind the tracking of aircraft, possible causes for Flight 370's disappearance, and technologies that would prevent another aircraft from disappearing.[52][53]
"Surviving Ebola"	October 8, 2014	4123
Explores the spread of the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa which began in December 2013; the discovery and pathology of the Ebola virus; and the development and use of ZMapp, an experimental drug for the Ebola virus which was first administered to humans infected during the outbreak. A man infected with the virus and whose story featured during the last few minutes of the program died on the day it first aired.[54]
"Ben Franklin's Balloons"	October 22, 2014	4117
The first stage in human flight didn’t begin with the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, but with daring inventors and aeronauts in 18th century Paris. In a period of just 19 months, humanity not only left the ground for the first time—a moment as significant as the Apollo moon landing—but thanks to a handful of brilliant and colorful pioneers, developed all the essential features of today's hot air and gas balloons. Their exploits fascinated Benjamin Franklin, who was serving in Paris as the American ambassador. He reported that these early flights brought tens of thousands of citizens into the streets to watch the spectacle. To explore this burst of innovation, NOVA recreates key flights, including the world’s first manned voyage that took place on November 21, 1783. Joining the team will be a descendant of the Montgolfier brothers, inventors of the hot-air balloon, who will build an accurate replica of the fragile paper and canvas craft using 18th century tools and materials. NOVA reveals the secrets of how the Montgolfiers invented flight and relives the experiences of the balloon pioneers who left Earth for the first time.[55]
"First Air War"	October 29, 2014	4118
When World War I began in 1914, the air forces of the opposing nations consisted of handfuls of rickety biplanes from which pilots occasionally took pot shots at one another with rifles. By the war’s end, the essential blueprint of the modern fighter had emerged: it was now an efficient killing machine that limited the average life expectancy of a front line pilot to just a few weeks. To trace the story of this astonishingly rapid technological revolution, NOVA takes viewers inside The Vintage Aviator, a New Zealand-based outfit of aviation buffs dedicated to bringing back classic World War I fighters such as the SE5A and Albatros DV. NOVA joins the team as they discover the secrets of some of aviation’s most colorful and deadly early flying machines and explores how their impact played a key role in the nightmare slaughter on the Western Front.[56]
"Bigger Than T. rex"	November 5, 2014	4119
Almost a century ago, paleontologists found the first tantalizing hints of a monster even bigger than Tyrannosaurus rex, perhaps the largest predator ever to roam the Earth: spectacular fossil bones from a dinosaur dubbed Spinosaurus. But the fossils were completely destroyed during a World War II Allied bombing raid, leaving only drawings, questions, and a mystery: What was Spinosaurus? Now, the discovery of new bones in a Moroccan cliff face is reopening the investigation into this epic beast. What did it feed on and how? Why did it grow so big? We follow the paleontologists who are reconstructing this terrifying carnivore, revealing a 53-foot-long behemoth with a huge dorsal sail, enormous, scimitar-like claws, and massive jaws tapered toward the front like a crocodile. Bringing together experts in paleontology, geology, climatology and paleobotany, this NOVA/National Geographic special brings to life the lost world over which Spinosaurus reigned more than 65 million years ago.
"Emperor's Ghost Army"	November 12, 2014	4120
In central China, a vast underground mausoleum conceals a life-size terracotta army of cavalry, infantry, horses, chariots, weapons, administrators, acrobats, and musicians, all built to serve China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, in the afterlife. Lost and forgotten for over 2,200 years, this clay army, 8,000-strong, stands poised to help the First Emperor rule again beyond the grave. Now, a new archaeological campaign is probing the thousands of figures entombed in the mausoleum. With exclusive access to pioneering research, this program reveals how the Emperor directed the manufacture of the tens of thousands of bronze weapons carried by the clay soldiers, as well as lethal crossbows engineered with astonishing precision. NOVA tests the power of these weapons with high-action experiments and reports on revolutionary 3D computer modeling techniques that are revealing new insights into how the clay figures were made. The program reveals the secrets of one of archaeology's greatest discoveries and brings to life the startlingly sophisticated world of Qin's legendary empire.[57]
"Killer Landslides"	November 19, 2014	4121
Just before 11 a.m. on March 22, 2014, an ominous rumble startled the residents of the community of Oso, Washington, about an hour's drive from Seattle. It was the terrifying sound of what would become the United States' deadliest landslide in decades. The equivalent of one million dump truck loads of earth came plummeting down the valley. In a little over two minutes, a pile of debris up to 75 feet deep slammed into the neighborhood of close to 50 homes. While a massive search and rescue effort continues at the site, geologists are tracing the geological history of Oso to explain why the site was so unstable. But all around the world, scientists have reason to fear that the worst is yet to come. Globally, landslides and other ground failures take a tremendous human and economic toll, and with climate change bringing a sharp rise in intense precipitation events in many countries, the threat of bigger, more frequent landslides, like one that buried at least 350 people in Afghanistan this spring, is growing. In the Himalayas, the threat of devastating landslides is always lurking. As NOVA surveys landslide danger zones, discover how and why landslides happen, and how radar monitoring technologies could help predict landslides and issue life-saving warnings.[58]
"First Man on the Moon"	December 3, 2014	4122
Everyone knows Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the moon. But this modest and unassuming man was determined to stay out of the spotlight. Now, for the first time, NOVA presents an intimate portrait of Armstrong through interviews with his family and friends, many of whom have never spoken publicly before. Discover and relive Armstrong's achievements before and after Apollo, from his time as a Navy combat veteran and later as a pioneer of high-speed flight to his leading role in the inquiry into the Challenger disaster and his efforts to encourage young people to take to the skies. Along the way, we learn how Armstrong's life became the inspiring story of heroic risk-taking and humble dedication that ultimately advanced humanity's adventure in space.[59]
"Big Bang Machine"	January 14, 2015	4201
On July 4, 2012, scientists at the giant atom smashing facility at CERN announced the discovery of a subatomic particle that seems like a tantalizingly close match to the elusive Higgs Boson, thought to be responsible for giving all the stuff in the universe its mass. Since it was first proposed nearly fifty years ago, the Higgs has been the holy grail of particle physicists: in finding it they validate the “standard model” that underlies all of modern physics and open the door to new discoveries when CERN’s giant collider switches on at higher power in 2015.[60]
"Sunken Ship Rescue"	January 21, 2015	4202
Follow the epic operation to secure, raise, and salvage the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which ran aground and tragically capsized off the coast of Italy on January 13, 2012, killing 32 people. The massive wreck—with a 160-foot-long hole in its hull—stretches the length of three football fields, weighs 45,000 tons, and was half submerged on the site of a protected reef. Moving it from its precarious perch on the edge of an underwater cliff turned into a technical and logistical challenge of staggering proportions. Join NOVA as we follow a team of more than 500 divers and engineers working around the clock as they attempt the biggest ship recovery project in history.[61]
"Sinkholes — Buried Alive"	January 28, 2015	4203
In a leafy suburb near Tampa, Florida, on February 28, 2013, a giant hole opened up under the bedroom floor of Jeffrey Bush, swallowing him as he slept. His body was never found. Bush was a victim of a sinkhole—a worldwide hazard that lurks wherever limestone and other water-soluble rocks underpin the soil. When carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater, it forms a weak acid that attacks soft rocks, riddling them with holes like Swiss cheese. Sinkholes can occur gradually when the surface subsides into bowl shaped depressions or suddenly when the ground gives way. These geological hazards have swallowed highways, apartment buildings, horses, camels, even golfers, with monster-size holes cracking the earth from Siberia to Louisiana. Filled with compelling eyewitness video of dramatic collapses, and following scientists as they explore the underlying forces behind these natural disasters, NOVA travels the globe to investigate what it's like to have your world vanish beneath your feet.[62]
"Colosseum: Roman Death Trap"	February 11, 2015	4206
One of the ancient world's most iconic buildings, the Colosseum is a monument to Roman imperial power and cruelty. Its graceful lines and harmonious proportions concealed a highly efficient design and advanced construction methods that made hundreds of arches out of 100,000 tons of stone. In its elliptical arena, tens of thousands of gladiators, slaves, prisoners, and wild animals met their deaths. Ancient texts report lions and elephants emerging from beneath the floor, as if by magic, to ravage gladiators and people condemned to death. Then, just as quickly, the Colosseum could be flooded with so much water that ships could engage in sea battles to the delight of the crowd. Now, archaeologists and engineers are teaming up to recreate a 25-foot lifting machine and trap door system capable of releasing a wolf into the Colosseum's arena for the first time in 1,500 years. Do they have what it takes to replicate the innovation and ingenuity of the Romans?[63]
"Petra: Lost City of Stone"	February 18, 2015	4205
More than 2,000 years ago, the thriving city of Petra rose up in the bone-dry desert of what is now Jordan. An oasis of culture and abundance, the city was built by wealthy merchants whose camel caravans transported incense and spices from the Persian Gulf. They carved spectacular temple-tombs into its soaring cliffs, raised a monumental Great Temple at its heart, and devised an ingenious system that channeled water to vineyards, bathhouses, fountains, and pools. But following a catastrophic earthquake and a slump in its desert trade routes, Petra's unique culture faded and was lost to most of the world for nearly a thousand years. Now, in a daring experiment, an archaeologist and sculptors team up to carve an iconic temple-tomb to find out how the ancient people of Petra built their city of stone. Meanwhile, scientists using remote sensors and hydraulic flumes uncover the vast city and its sophisticated water system. The race is on to discover how these nomads created this oasis of culture in one of the harshest climates on Earth.[64]
"Hagia Sophia: Istanbul’s Mystery"	February 25, 2015	4204
Whether serving as Christian church, Islamic mosque, or secular museum, Hagia Sophia and its soaring dome have inspired reverence and awe. For 800 years, it was the largest enclosed building in the world—the Statue of Liberty can fit beneath its dome with room to spare. How has it survived its location on one of the world's most active seismic faults, which has inflicted a dozen devastating earthquakes since it was built in 537? As Istanbul braces for the next big quake, a team of architects and engineers is urgently investigating Hagia Sophia's seismic secrets. Follow engineers as they build a massive 8-ton model of the building's core structure, place it on a motorized shake table, and hit it with a series of simulated quakes, pushing it to collapse—a fate that the team is determined to avoid with the real building.[65]
"The Great Math Mystery"	April 15, 2015	4207
Join NOVA on a mathematical mystery tour—a provocative exploration of math's astonishing power across the centuries. We discover math's signature in the swirl of a nautilus shell, the whirlpool of a galaxy, and the spiral in the center of a sunflower. Math was essential to everything from the first wireless radio transmissions to the prediction and discovery of the Higgs boson and the successful landing of rovers on Mars. Astrophysicist and writer Mario Livio, along with a colorful cast of mathematicians, physicists, and engineers, follow math from Pythagoras to Einstein and beyond. It all leads to the ultimate riddle: Is math a human invention or the discovery of the language of the universe?[66]
"Invisible Universe Revealed"	April 22, 2015	4208
Twenty-five years ago, NASA launched one of the most ambitious experiments in the history of astronomy: the Hubble Space Telescope. In honor of Hubble's landmark anniversary, NOVA tells the remarkable story of the telescope that forever changed our understanding of the cosmos. But Hubble's early days nearly doomed it to failure: a one-millimeter engineering blunder had turned the billion-dollar telescope into an object of ridicule. It fell to five heroic astronauts in a daring mission to return Hubble to the cutting edge of science. This single telescope has helped astronomers pinpoint the age of the universe, revealed the birthplace of stars and planets, advanced our understanding of dark energy and cosmic expansion, and uncovered black holes lurking at the heart of galaxies. Join NOVA for the story of this magnificent machine and its astonishing discoveries.[67]
"Nazi Attack on America"	May 6, 2015	4210
Long before 9/11, a far deadlier, little-known attack from the ocean depths struck our shores, lasting three-and-a-half years and claiming 5,000 lives. Now, famed undersea explorer Bob Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic, investigates the wreck of one of the attack craft, a German submarine that lies at the bottom of the gulf just a few miles off New Orleans. U-166 was part of Operation Drumbeat, a highly successful U-boat operation that caught East Coast cities and shipping almost completely unprepared. With state-of-the-art survey gear Ballard probes the wreck and explores a dramatic mystery in the official story of the sub’s sinking.[68]
"Lethal Seas"	May 13, 2015	4211
A deadly recipe is brewing that threatens the survival of countless creatures throughout Earth’s oceans. For years, we’ve known that the oceans absorb about a quarter of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. But with high carbon emissions worldwide, this silent killer is entering our seas at a staggering rate, raising the ocean’s acidity. It’s eating away at the skeletons and shells of marine creatures that are the foundation of the web of life. NOVA follows the scientists making breakthrough discoveries and seeking solutions. Visit a unique coral garden in Papua New Guinea that offers a glimpse of what the seas could be like a half-century from now. Can our experts crack the code of a rapidly changing ocean before it’s too late?[69]
"Chasing Pluto"	July 15, 2015	4213
On July 14, 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft, one of the most advanced ever built, is scheduled to fly by Pluto to take the very first detailed images of the dwarf planet. After nine years and 3 billion miles, we will finally get a close look at this strange, icy world, but only if the craft can survive the final, treacherous leg of its journey, which could take it through a dangerous field of debris. If it does, New Horizons is poised to make dramatic new discoveries, not just about Pluto, but about the vast realm of icy bodies lurking beyond Neptune, relics of the earliest days of the solar system’s formation. Back on Earth, the planetary scientists who have spent decades working on this mission anxiously await a signal from their spacecraft. Our cameras will be there to witness the moment. If all goes well, we’ll see Pluto’s mysterious surface in unprecedented detail and learn new secrets about other alien worlds at the far limits of our solar system.[70]
"Nuclear Meltdown Disaster"	July 29, 2015	4214
NOVA reveals the minute-by-minute story of the Fukushima nuclear crisis—the one you know about, and the one you likely don’t: the perilously close call at the other Fukushima nuclear power plant a few miles away from the meltdowns. With unprecedented access inside both Fukushima nuclear power plants, NOVA speaks with workers who were there during the harrowing days—a crisis that began as a natural a disaster but was made worse by human beings. But why did the worst happen at one plant while another that faced nearly identical challenges emerged unscathed? It may come down to the skill and knowledge of one man, who has worked there since they started construction. These are crucial questions as the company that runs both plants, TEPCO, tries to clean up an unprecedented radioactive mess and reintroduce nuclear power to Japan.[71]

Season 43: 2015–2016

Title	Original air date	Code
"Dawn of Humanity"	September 16, 2015	4209/4215
The astounding discovery of ancient fossil human ancestors in a South African cave is highlighted.
"Arctic Ghost Ship"	September 23, 2015	4216
The Franklin Expedition is explored 160 years after vanishing while charting the Northwest Passage.
"Secrets of Noah's Ark"	October 7, 2015	4212
A 3,700-year-old inscribed clay tablet reveals a surprising new version of the Biblical flood story.
"Cyberwar Threat"	October 14, 2015	4217
Thanks in part to the documents released by Edward Snowden, the true scale of the National Security Agency's scope and power is coming to light. Besides spending billions to ingest and analyze the world's electronic communications, the NSA has set out to dominate a new battlefield – cyberspace. NOVA examines the science and technology behind cyber warfare and asks if we are already in the midst of a deadly new arms race.
"Animal Mummies"	October 28, 2015	4219
Hi-tech images reveal the role of animal mummies in ancient Egyptian beliefs.
"Making North America: Origins"	November 4, 2015	4220
This unprecedented, 3-part series presents a bold and sweeping biography of our homeland.
"Making North America: Life"	November 11, 2015	4221
This unprecedented, 3-part series presents a bold and sweeping biography of our homeland.
"Making North America: Human"	November 18, 2015	4222
This unprecedented, 3-part series presents a bold and sweeping biography of our homeland.
"Inside Einstein's Mind"	November 25, 2015	4223
Einstein's simple but powerful ideas that reshaped our understanding of gravity are examined.
"Secret Tunnel Warfare"	January 6, 2016	4301
During WWI, the Allies devised a devastating plan, planting 600 tons of explosives in secret tunnels driven under German trenches. Uncover traces of the operation and learn why it failed to break the lethal deadlock of trench warfare.
"Life's Rocky Start"	January 13, 2016	4302
From the first sparks of life to the survival of the fittest, unearth the secret relationship between rocks and life. Investigate how minerals are vital to the origins and evolution of life.
"Mystery Beneath the Ice"	January 20, 2016	4303
Dive under the ice to explore Antarctica’s under-ice landscape with a team of scientists as they search for the mystery killer that’s decimating the population of delicate shrimp-like creatures at the foundation of the Antarctic food chain.
"Himalayan Megaquake"	January 27, 2016	4304
NOVA documents the April 25, 2015 7.8-magnitude earthquake that ripped through Nepal shaking Mount Everest and unwraps the science behind such deadly earthquakes.
"Creatures of Light"	February 3, 2016	4309
Take a dazzling dive with NOVA and National Geographic to explore how and why so many of the ocean's creatures light up-revealing a hidden undersea world where creatures flash, sparkle, shimmer or simply glow.
"Memory Hackers"	February 10, 2016	4307
Explore the secrets of the mind to discover how memories can be implanted, changed and even erased.
"Iceman Reborn"	February 17, 2016	4305
New revelations about the ancient ice mummy, Otzi, shed light on the dawn of civilization in Europe.
"Rise of the Robots"	February 24, 2016	4306
Join the race to build the most advanced humanoid robots as they battle real-world challenges.
"Vikings Unearthed"	April 6, 2016	4310
Search for the truth behind the legends of the Vikings and their epic journey to the Americas. Co-production with the BBC, first aired in the UK on April 4, 2016, as the title "Vikings Undiscovered".
"Can Alzheimer's Be Stopped?"	April 13, 2016	4308
Join investigators as they untangle the cause of Alzheimer’s and race to develop a cure.
"Wild Ways"	April 20, 2016	4311
Explore how newly established wildlife corridors offer hope to our planet’s endangered species.
"Operation Lighthouse Rescue"	May 4, 2016	4313
Join engineers as they race to rescue a historic Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse from certain doom.
"Bombing Hitler’s Supergun"	May 11, 2016	4314
Join NOVA as engineers, archaeologists and WWII historians investigate this fearsome weapon. And discover the two audacious missions designed to destroy the seemingly impregnable supergun complex.

Notes

1. Originally aired in 1998 by the Austrian broadcaster ORF
2. Co-Produced with the Australian Broadcasting Corp

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• "PBS.ORG Press Room". Retrieved on February 22, 2013

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