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A to Z: The First Alphabet Preview

A to Z: The First Alphabet Preview

A to Z: The First Alphabet Preview

Writing shaped our world and the rise of human knowledge, from the trading of goods to tales of ancient goddesses and kings. Follow the evolution of the written word, from 4,000-year-old carvings in an Egyptian turquoise mine to modern-day alphabets.
Preview S47 E13 Length 00:27 Premiere: 9.23.20

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NOVA

About NOVA

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.

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Upcoming

Touching the Asteroid

Scientists attempt to grab a piece of an asteroid and bring it to Earth using spacecraft OSIRIS-REx.

  • Friday October 23, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday October 23, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
  • Sunday October 25, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday October 25, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2

Can We Cool the Planet?

As global temperatures rise, scientists look to geoengineering solutions, from planting trees to sucking carbon out of the air, as a means to cool the planet.

  • Wednesday October 28, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday October 28, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET
  • Thursday October 29, 2020 1:00 pm ET on KET
  • Thursday October 29, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Friday October 30, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday October 30, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
  • Sunday November 1, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday November 1, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Tuesday November 3, 2020 3:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday November 3, 2020 2:00 am CT on KET2

Colosseum - Roman Death Trap - S42 E6

Archaeologists and engineers team up to re-create ancient Roman techniques to build a 25-foot lifting machine and trap-door system capable of releasing a wolf into the Colosseum's arena for the first time in 1,500 years.

  • Wednesday November 4, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday November 4, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET
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  • Thursday November 5, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Friday November 6, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
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  • Sunday November 8, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
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  • Tuesday November 10, 2020 3:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday November 10, 2020 2:00 am CT on KET2

Petra - Lost City of Stone - S42 E5

Experts carve a temple-tomb to find out how the ancient people of Petra built their city of stone.

  • Wednesday November 11, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday November 11, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET
  • Thursday November 12, 2020 1:00 pm ET on KET
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  • Friday November 13, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday November 13, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
  • Sunday November 15, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
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  • Tuesday November 17, 2020 3:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday November 17, 2020 2:00 am CT on KET2

Building Wonders: Hagia Sophia - Istanbul's Ancient Mystery - S42 E4

As Istanbul braces for the next big quake, a team of architects and engineers examine the seismic secrets of the dome of Hagia Sophia.

  • Wednesday November 18, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday November 18, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET
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  • Thursday November 19, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
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  • Sunday November 22, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday November 22, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
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Touching the Asteroid

  • Thursday October 22, 2020 1:00 pm ET on KET
  • Thursday October 22, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Wednesday October 21, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday October 21, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET

Nature's Fear Factor

  • Sunday October 18, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday October 18, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Friday October 16, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday October 16, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
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  • Thursday October 15, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Wednesday October 14, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday October 14, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET

Rise of the Mammals - S46 E17

  • Sunday October 11, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday October 11, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2

The Impossible Flight - S45 E3

  • Thursday October 8, 2020 1:00 pm ET on KET
  • Thursday October 8, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET

A to Z: How Writing Changed the World

  • Sunday October 4, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday October 4, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Friday October 2, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday October 2, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
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  • Thursday October 1, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Wednesday September 30, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday September 30, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET

A to Z: The First Alphabet

  • Sunday September 27, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday September 27, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Friday September 25, 2020 2:00 am ET on KET
  • Friday September 25, 2020 1:00 am CT on KET
  • Thursday September 24, 2020 1:00 pm ET on KET
  • Thursday September 24, 2020 12:00 pm CT on KET
  • Wednesday September 23, 2020 9:00 pm ET on KET
  • Wednesday September 23, 2020 8:00 pm CT on KET

Secret Mind of Slime

  • Sunday September 20, 2020 7:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday September 20, 2020 6:00 pm CT on KET2
Top

Season 47

CRISPR Gene-Editing Reality Check
S47 E111 Length 19:13 Premiere Date 9.4.20

Touching the Asteroid
S47 E15 Length 54:03 Premiere Date 10.21.20

A to Z: How Writing Changed the World
S47 E14 Length 53:32 Premiere Date 9.30.20

A to Z: The First Alphabet
S47 E13 Length 54:02 Premiere Date 9.23.20

Secret Mind of Slime
S47 E12 Length 53:17 Premiere Date 9.16.20

Human Nature
S47 E11 Length 1:33:41 Premiere Date 9.9.20

Decoding COVID-19
S47 E10 Length 53:38 Premiere Date 5.13.20

Nature's Fear Factor
S47 E9 Length 53:31 Premiere Date 10.14.20

Eagle Power
S47 E7 Length 53:40 Premiere Date 5.20.20

The Truth About Fat
S47 E6 Length 53:38 Premiere Date 4.8.20

Cuba's Cancer Hope
S47 E5 Length 53:45 Premiere Date 4.1.20

Mysteries of Sleep
S47 E4 Length 53:14 Premiere Date 2.26.20

Cat Tales
S47 E3 Length 53:40 Premiere Date 2.19.20

Dog Tales
S47 E2 Length 54:11 Premiere Date 2.12.20

Polar Extremes
S47 E1 Length 1:53:06 Premiere Date 2.5.20

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