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Asteroids: Spark of Life? Preview

Season 53 Episode 1 | 30s

What if asteroids, long feared as destroyers of life, were key to our existence? Explore a revolutionary theory that these violent collisions provided the essential ingredients – water, minerals, and energy – needed to jumpstart life on Earth.

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies and Viking Cruises. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
They're older than King Tut, Ötzi the Iceman, and even the ones found in the Atacama Desert.
From fruit flies to snake venom, evolutionary biologist Sean Carroll explains what drives evolution.
Can we really bring extinct species back? Evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro says yes.
See how ingenuity and teamwork keep the crew alive and doing science 250 miles above Earth.
A dangerous spacewalk, a toxic leak, and a breathtaking view of Earth.
A small piece of insulation caused catastrophic damage.
Astronauts and Mission Control relive terrifying moments during construction of the ISS.
Dive into how Earth’s weirdest microbes could help us spot extraterrestrial life.
Find out why deadly flash floods are on the rise and how we can protect ourselves from them.