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Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis

1hr 11m 15s

Marine biologist Peter Girguis thinks they might both hold clues to finding life beyond Earth. In this episode, he joins Hakeem for a journey from the ocean floor to outer space, sharing stories from his dives aboard the Alvin submersible and exploring how Earth’s most extreme lifeforms could help us find the first ETs.

Aired: 11/03/25
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
What if violent asteroid impacts actually jump-started life on Earth? Explore a dramatic theory.
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.
Find out why deadly flash floods are on the rise and how we can protect ourselves from them.