Nova Season 53 Episode 1 - Asteroids: Spark of Life?

Airdate: 2026-Jan-21

Episode summary:

Imagine a time when Earth was a molten, volcanic wasteland, heavily bombarded by colossal asteroids. We've long feared these cosmic impacts as destroyers of life, but what if they were the key to our very existence? Explore a revolutionary theory suggesting that these violent collisions provided the essential ingredients – water, minerals, and energy – needed for life to ignite on our planet. Discover how scientists are unearthing evidence from lunar rocks and ancient impact craters, revealing that the very objects known for extinguishing life might have actually sparked it.

About Nova series:

A weekly documentary series, each episode providing an in-depth look at a different subject of scientific research. Subjects examined by this show ...Show more >