Nova

Stories

PBS is taking us back — WAY back — in time

This winter, PBS will be taking us back in time.
That’s way back. It will go to the start of life on Earth … and to the first mammals … and to one of the earliest civilizations,.
That’s on “Nova” at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 21. (Shown here is Angkor, featured on Jan. 28.)
The shopw won’t be spending all its time as a way-back machine. The best hour of the season — or of just about any season — is a gem about dogs that learn words and express them by stepping on the right buttons.
Still, much of the year involves looking back. That includes: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 20, 2026
News and Quick Comments

At 50, “Nova” goes ancient and modern

At the age of 50, “Nova” seems to be doing fine.
It passed the half-century mark on March 26 and kept going. Coming up are two terrific hours and several fairly good ones, including a fresh view of Pompeii (shown here).
This is a PBS science – 9 p.m. Wednesdays –that ranges afar. Viewers are happy whenever it returns to UFO’s (as it did Jan. 22), dinosaurs, or ancient worlds; still, it also tackles fresh issues, as it did with the Flint water crisis. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 26, 2025
News and Quick Comments

Gene-editing stokes sci-fi type dreams, fears

The worlds of science-fiction and science-fact seem to collide when the subject turns to CRISPR.
That’s a type of “gene-editing” (illustrated here) which could lead to something very good – blocking genetic diseases. Or to some very bad forms of human engineering.
This debate has come up before, Alta Charo told the Television Critics Assoication recently. “Each time, we (ask): ‘Are we able to withstand the temptation to do things that are really destructive to the fabric of society and yet keep the value to prevent disease and help build families.”
She’s a University of Wisconsin professor, both a lawyer and a bioethicist. And she’s one of the key people in a compelling “Nova” season-opener, from 8-10 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 9) on PBS. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 7, 2020