Description

As entertaining as it is informative, NOVA explores headline-grabbing innovations and discoveries, demystifying science and technology along the way while also highlighting the human side of the people "who make science happen." As the most watched documentary series on PBS, NOVA programs have defined science television for the world, helping us to understand the way things work, while also exploring the social implications of these scientific findings that affect our past, present, and future. Ranging in topics covering everything from galaxies to atoms, the series opens viewers' imaginations to cutting-edge technology that is constantly pushing the limits of the real and possible.

NOVA, Vol. 1

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Description

As entertaining as it is informative, NOVA explores headline-grabbing innovations and discoveries, demystifying science and technology along the way while also highlighting the human side of the people "who make science happen." As the most watched documentary series on PBS, NOVA programs have defined science television for the world, helping us to understand the way things work, while also exploring the social implications of these scientific findings that affect our past, present, and future. Ranging in topics covering everything from galaxies to atoms, the series opens viewers' imaginations to cutting-edge technology that is constantly pushing the limits of the real and possible.

    • EPISODE 2

    MARS Dead or Alive

    In early January 2004, two spacecraft carrying identical robotic explorers touched down on the surface of Mars. On that day, NOVA presented a special television event that climaxed with live coverage as NASA/JPL scientists awaited the first critical signals confirming that the rovers had landed safely. The show features a gripping behind-the-scenes glimpse of the design, testing, and launch of the mission. The engineers face a tense deadline as Mars approaches its closest rendezvous with Earth; they're stretched to the limit as parachutes rip, bolts fail, and airbags pop; everything that can go wrong does. Watch them apply all their ingenuity to overcome the technical hitches. Then join NOVA's exploration of the latest clues in the ultimate quest for signs of life on the mysterious red planet.

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    • 53 Minutes

    In early January 2004, two spacecraft carrying identical robotic explorers touched down on the surface of Mars. On that day, NOVA presented a special television event that climaxed with live coverage as NASA/JPL scientists awaited the first critical signals confirming that the rovers had landed safely. The show features a gripping behind-the-scenes glimpse of the design, testing, and launch of the mission. The engineers face a tense deadline as Mars approaches its closest rendezvous with Earth; they're stretched to the limit as parachutes rip, bolts fail, and airbags pop; everything that can go wrong does. Watch them apply all their ingenuity to overcome the technical hitches. Then join NOVA's exploration of the latest clues in the ultimate quest for signs of life on the mysterious red planet.

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    • 53 Minutes
    • EPISODE 3

    Hunt for the Supertwister

    On May 3, 1999, one of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded carved a path of complete destruction near Oklahoma City. To scientists, the supertwister held sobering lessons about the future for rapidly expanding cities in tornado-threatened areas. Most tornadoes form suddenly and with little warning. But now meteorologists are on the verge of a breakthrough that may solve the puzzle of how these killer storms spawn and where they are likely to strike. NOVA follows stormchasers as they probe the tornado's deadly secrets. The program features noted researchers Joshua Wurman of the Center for Severe Weather Research in Boulder, Colorado, and Howard Bluestein of the University of Oklahoma--fellow stormchasers who have perfected the art of tracking down tornadoes with instrument-laden vehicles designed to gather data from as close to the churning vortex as possible. Also included is Lou Wicker of the National Severe Storms Laboratory, who is creating computer models in collaboration with scientists at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)/University of Illinois, that provide exciting insights into the intricate sequence of steps that goes into spawning a twister. NOVA goes supertwister hunting with Wurman and Bluestein on a day that threatens tornadoes all across the Texas Panhandle. Wurman heads north and captures the first twin tornadoes ever recorded on radar. Meanwhile, Bluestein stays in the southern Panhandle and eventually bags his own treasure-trove of twister data. Not to be outdone, computer modeler Lou Wicker captures the biggest prize of all: a supertwister in the process of formation in the equations of his program. Having input data on an F4 storm that devastated Manchester, South Dakota, on June 24, 2003, he sees a supertwister take shape with uncanny similarity to the real thing.

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    • 54 Minutes

    On May 3, 1999, one of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded carved a path of complete destruction near Oklahoma City. To scientists, the supertwister held sobering lessons about the future for rapidly expanding cities in tornado-threatened areas. Most tornadoes form suddenly and with little warning. But now meteorologists are on the verge of a breakthrough that may solve the puzzle of how these killer storms spawn and where they are likely to strike. NOVA follows stormchasers as they probe the tornado's deadly secrets. The program features noted researchers Joshua Wurman of the Center for Severe Weather Research in Boulder, Colorado, and Howard Bluestein of the University of Oklahoma--fellow stormchasers who have perfected the art of tracking down tornadoes with instrument-laden vehicles designed to gather data from as close to the churning vortex as possible. Also included is Lou Wicker of the National Severe Storms Laboratory, who is creating computer models in collaboration with scientists at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)/University of Illinois, that provide exciting insights into the intricate sequence of steps that goes into spawning a twister. NOVA goes supertwister hunting with Wurman and Bluestein on a day that threatens tornadoes all across the Texas Panhandle. Wurman heads north and captures the first twin tornadoes ever recorded on radar. Meanwhile, Bluestein stays in the southern Panhandle and eventually bags his own treasure-trove of twister data. Not to be outdone, computer modeler Lou Wicker captures the biggest prize of all: a supertwister in the process of formation in the equations of his program. Having input data on an F4 storm that devastated Manchester, South Dakota, on June 24, 2003, he sees a supertwister take shape with uncanny similarity to the real thing.

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    • 54 Minutes
    • EPISODE 4

    Welcome to Mars

    Go inside mission control and explore Mars with rovers Spirit & Opportunity. On January 3, 2004, a rover named Spirit crash-landed on the surface of Mars and sent its first message home. The elation of the assembled scientists as well as the engineering story leading up to the landing were captured by NOVA in its popular documentary "MARS Dead or Alive." That elation is the starting point for the sequel, "Welcome to Mars," which follows the adventures of Spirit and Opportunity on the Red Planet. NOVA's producers enjoyed unprecedented access to the mission scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as they wrestled with the technical crises that soon beset the rovers. All goes well until Spirit suddenly falls silent and then, inexplicably, starts spewing gibberish. For three agonizing days the engineers struggle to regain control of the unhinged rover before they finally solve the problem. Then Opportunity lands and sends back the image of an outcrop of bedrock just a few yards away. The rock turns out to be a crucial clue in the quest to discover if there was once water and life on Mars. Eventually, the evidence adds up, and after 40 years of speculation, NASA finally announces solid proof that Mars was once awash in water. "Welcome to Mars" presents a compelling inside story of triumph and technical ingenuity, with stunning fresh images from an alien world.

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    • 53 Minutes

    Go inside mission control and explore Mars with rovers Spirit & Opportunity. On January 3, 2004, a rover named Spirit crash-landed on the surface of Mars and sent its first message home. The elation of the assembled scientists as well as the engineering story leading up to the landing were captured by NOVA in its popular documentary "MARS Dead or Alive." That elation is the starting point for the sequel, "Welcome to Mars," which follows the adventures of Spirit and Opportunity on the Red Planet. NOVA's producers enjoyed unprecedented access to the mission scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as they wrestled with the technical crises that soon beset the rovers. All goes well until Spirit suddenly falls silent and then, inexplicably, starts spewing gibberish. For three agonizing days the engineers struggle to regain control of the unhinged rover before they finally solve the problem. Then Opportunity lands and sends back the image of an outcrop of bedrock just a few yards away. The rock turns out to be a crucial clue in the quest to discover if there was once water and life on Mars. Eventually, the evidence adds up, and after 40 years of speculation, NASA finally announces solid proof that Mars was once awash in water. "Welcome to Mars" presents a compelling inside story of triumph and technical ingenuity, with stunning fresh images from an alien world.

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    • 53 Minutes
    • EPISODE 6

    Lost Treasures of Tibet

    Mustang (moo-stahn), one of the last outposts of Tibetan culture, is so isolated and protected that no Westerner set foot inside its borders for centuries. But in the early 1990s, this untouched society set high in the Himalayas opened its borders for the first time, exposing an ancient world’s dazzling sacred relics long damaged by the elements and neglect. Today, outsiders are working with local townspeople to rescue priceless masterpieces dating back to the 13th century – but can these efforts preserve history in a way that is acceptable to the local culture? Join the race against time as art and restoration experts mix history, science, and politics in a complicated and daunting mission to preserve these religious works of art. With gods literally peeling off the walls, will outsiders be trusted with saving the sacred art of Mustang?

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    • 54 Minutes

    Mustang (moo-stahn), one of the last outposts of Tibetan culture, is so isolated and protected that no Westerner set foot inside its borders for centuries. But in the early 1990s, this untouched society set high in the Himalayas opened its borders for the first time, exposing an ancient world’s dazzling sacred relics long damaged by the elements and neglect. Today, outsiders are working with local townspeople to rescue priceless masterpieces dating back to the 13th century – but can these efforts preserve history in a way that is acceptable to the local culture? Join the race against time as art and restoration experts mix history, science, and politics in a complicated and daunting mission to preserve these religious works of art. With gods literally peeling off the walls, will outsiders be trusted with saving the sacred art of Mustang?

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    • 54 Minutes
    • EPISODE 7

    Lost King of the Maya

    In an ancient Mayan arena, enemies of notorious King Yax K’uk Mo square off in a ball game that appears much like modern soccer. But in this fateful contest, winners live—and losers lose their heads. From 200 to 900 A.D., Yax K’uk Mo’s dynasty of Blood Lords presided over the Maya city of Copan, conducting hallucinogenic vision quests, ritual warfare and human sacrifice. Join a team of archaeologists and historians who are piecing together the fascinating rise and fall of this ancient city, its legendary founder, Yax K’uk Mo and its amazingly advanced culture.

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    • 54 Minutes

    In an ancient Mayan arena, enemies of notorious King Yax K’uk Mo square off in a ball game that appears much like modern soccer. But in this fateful contest, winners live—and losers lose their heads. From 200 to 900 A.D., Yax K’uk Mo’s dynasty of Blood Lords presided over the Maya city of Copan, conducting hallucinogenic vision quests, ritual warfare and human sacrifice. Join a team of archaeologists and historians who are piecing together the fascinating rise and fall of this ancient city, its legendary founder, Yax K’uk Mo and its amazingly advanced culture.

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    • 54 Minutes
    • EPISODE 11

    Secrets of Lost Empires II: Pharaoh's Obelisk

    Brawn or brains? How did the ancient Egyptians raise the massive spires created to glorify and honor the ancient Egyptian gods? Rising up to 100 feet and weighing up to 500 tons, these solid granite monuments reach heavenward, adorned with messages of praise, love and devotion. 3000 years later, return to the land of the Pharaohs and discover how the ancient Egyptians’ nautical experience, ingenuity and unwavering faith enabled them to raise these incredibly heavy monoliths with little more than sand, rope, wood, brawn and brainpower.

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    • 58 Minutes

    Brawn or brains? How did the ancient Egyptians raise the massive spires created to glorify and honor the ancient Egyptian gods? Rising up to 100 feet and weighing up to 500 tons, these solid granite monuments reach heavenward, adorned with messages of praise, love and devotion. 3000 years later, return to the land of the Pharaohs and discover how the ancient Egyptians’ nautical experience, ingenuity and unwavering faith enabled them to raise these incredibly heavy monoliths with little more than sand, rope, wood, brawn and brainpower.

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    • 58 Minutes
    • EPISODE 13

    Secrets of Lost Empires II: Roman Bath

    The walls finally talk! While some Roman baths were palatial and luxurious, the bathhouses weren’t the exclusive haven of the privileged. Surrounded by sophisticated vaulted ceilings and revolutionary heating systems, men and women from all classes and backgrounds bathed, drank, shouted and sang in a daily ritual that defined what it meant to be Roman. But after the fall of the Roman Empire, this state-of-the-art community center became a mystery. Join NOVA and unlock the secrets of the social, cultural and technological center of one of history’s most impressive civilizations.

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    • 54 Minutes

    The walls finally talk! While some Roman baths were palatial and luxurious, the bathhouses weren’t the exclusive haven of the privileged. Surrounded by sophisticated vaulted ceilings and revolutionary heating systems, men and women from all classes and backgrounds bathed, drank, shouted and sang in a daily ritual that defined what it meant to be Roman. But after the fall of the Roman Empire, this state-of-the-art community center became a mystery. Join NOVA and unlock the secrets of the social, cultural and technological center of one of history’s most impressive civilizations.

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    • 54 Minutes
    • EPISODE 14

    Secrets of Lost Empires II: China Bridge

    The center of a famed twelfth-century Song Dynasty scroll painting features woven wooden beams in the graceful arc of a rainbow—the Rainbow Bridge—an archaeological form as well-known in China as the Eiffel Tower is in the West. Ingeniously designed bridges typify China’s inventive past—a society that created paper money, gunpowder and the compass. While not a single Song Dynasty Rainbow bridge remains, the mystery of their construction endures. Now, leading experts help NOVA reveal the intricate mysteries behind the revolutionary strength and elegance of the Rainbow Bridge.

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    • 54 Minutes

    The center of a famed twelfth-century Song Dynasty scroll painting features woven wooden beams in the graceful arc of a rainbow—the Rainbow Bridge—an archaeological form as well-known in China as the Eiffel Tower is in the West. Ingeniously designed bridges typify China’s inventive past—a society that created paper money, gunpowder and the compass. While not a single Song Dynasty Rainbow bridge remains, the mystery of their construction endures. Now, leading experts help NOVA reveal the intricate mysteries behind the revolutionary strength and elegance of the Rainbow Bridge.

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    • 54 Minutes
© 2006 WGBH Educational Foundation

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