NOVA Programming on the Cosmos

Over the course of six seasons, NOVA scienceNOW(NsN) has carved out a unique identity as a series, complementing NOVA’s regular lineup of hour-long documentaries. Like traditional NOVAs, NOVA scienceNOW tackles complex subjects, explains them accurately, and highlights the scientific process. However, with its emphasis on provocative and unanswered questions, NOVA scienceNOW can cover ground not generally seen on the main strand of NOVA, whose shows often look at specific mysteries that scientists have already solved. Instead, these programs will spend more time following researchers on the winding paths of uncertainty and ignorance – sometimes uncomfortable territory, but regions that must be traversed if we hope to find answers and expand our understanding of the universe. We propose a seventh season of NOVA scienceNOW that will take viewers on a journey to the frontiers of science, where researchers are tackling some of the biggest questions about life and the cosmos. From the mysteries of astrophysics to the search for extraterrestrial life, these six hours will reveal how far we’ve come in our search for answers, how we managed to get here, and how scientists hope to push our understanding of the universe even further. Along the way, we’ll meet the remarkable people who are transforming our world and creating the future. We request Templeton Foundation support to produce two NOVA scienceNOW one-hour episodes, anticipated to be broadcast nationally on PBS: • "What is the Universe Made of?"(wt) Exploring the elusive forces of dark matter and dark energy to discover what we know – and what we don’t know – about the fundamental stuff of our universe. • "Are We Alone?" (wt) Searching our solar system, and beyond, for signs of life.