NOVA scienceNOW

Our podcast offers irreverent stories and introduces intriguing personalities from the world of science. For more content from the producers of NOVA scienceNOW — and to watch our broadcast series online — visit us at http://www.pbs.org/nova/sciencenow

Latest Episodes:

Voice of the Space Shuttle Jul 07, 2011

Show notes

In this podcast, we spoke to former NASA Public Affairs Officer Steve Nesbitt. Nesbitt announced more than a dozen Space Shuttle missions, giving play-by-play radio commentary as the craft flew into orbit. Nesbitt spoke to us about his experience as the public voice of NASA the early days of the Shuttle program, and gave his thoughts on its retirement. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about the space shuttle, and the missions NASA is planning after its retirement at pbs.org/nova.

Cooperative Apes Jun 30, 2011

Show notes

In this podcast, learn why studying the emotions of our close primate relatives--chimpanzees and bonobos--might shed light on the evolution of human culture. Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. You can learn more about bonobos, chimps, and what makes us human on pbs.org/nova/sciencenow.

A Bolt From the Blue Jun 15, 2011

Show notes

Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks has come across plenty of odd stories while studying the human brain, but none are quite as mysterious as that of his colleague, Tony Cicoria. In 1994, Cicoria was struck by lightning, and developed a sudden, inexplicable passion for playing and writing piano music. In this podcast, hear Sacks describe Cicoria's transformation. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Dempsey Rice/Daughter One productions. Music by The New You. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova

NOVA Minute: How to Speak Walrus May 27, 2011

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NOVA Minutes are a regular radio features that air three times per week on 89.7 WGBH-FM in Boston. In this episode, marine biologist Colleen Reichmuth describes the many ways a walrus can communicate using sound. Produced by David Levin. Original interview by Doug Hamilton. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more at pbs.org/nova.

A Trip to the Parthenon May 24, 2011

Show notes

In this podcast, art historian Jeff Hurwitt explains what made the Parthenon the greatest temple of Ancient Greece. Produced by Susan Lewis. Original interview by Gary Glassman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Learn more about the history of the Parthenon at pbs.org/nova/parthenon

Finding the Lost City May 17, 2011

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Egyptologist Mark Lehner thinks it took almost 20,000 people to build the Great Pyramids. But where did all those workers live? In this podcast, Lehner describes how he found evidence of a “lost city” on the Giza plateau. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Peter Tyson. Music courtesy Pharaoh's Daughter (freemusicarchive.org/music/Pharaohs_Daughter/), Selva de Mar (freemusicarchive.org/music/Selva_de_Mar/), and APMmusic. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more, go to pbs.org/nova/sphinx

Wireless Electricity May 12, 2011

Show notes

WiTricity, a small startup based outside of Boston, is creating a system that can transmit electricity wirelessly. It’ll make charging electric cars easy, eliminating the need for bulky cables. What impact might this have on the electric vehicle market? Podcast produced by David Levin. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.

Life in the Blast Zone Apr 26, 2011

Show notes

Thirty years ago, a violent eruption ripped through the side of Mt. St. Helens in western Oregon. The blast killed 57 people and countless animals, and turned hundreds of miles of forest into barren wasteland. In this podcast, hear from ecologist Charlie Crisafulli on the slow recovery of the Mt. St. Helens ecosystem, and learn how the timing of the eruption actually spared some plant and animal life. Podcast produced by David Levin. Original interview by Kristine Allington. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the Hubble, go to pbs.org/nova/sthelens

A Clean Energy Future? Apr 19, 2011

Show notes

Steven Chu is the U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama. He’s a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and a big proponent of renewable power, like wind and solar. He says that although they’re essential to fight climate change, that’s only one reason we should adopt them in the United States. Another reason is purely economic—there’s a lot of money to be made in the clean energy market. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by Doug Hamilton. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "Power Surge" is provided by the Kendeda Fund and NASA. Additional funding by Michael and Roxanne Zak, the Earth Science Program at NASA and by the Millicent and Eugene Bell Foundation. For more on green technology, visit us online at pbs.org/nova

The Many Gods of Israel Apr 12, 2011

Show notes

Archeologist Bill Dever says that in addition to the Hebrew god Yahweh, ancient Israelites may have worshipped a Canaanite female goddess called Asherah. This podcast was produced by David Levin and Susan Lewis. Interview by Gary Glassman. NOVA is produced by WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Major funding for "The Bible's Buried Secrets" is provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, and the Righteous Persons Foundation. For more on what archeology is revealing about biblical times, visit www.pbs.org/nova/bible

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