Naked Science(2004–)

Solar Powered Flight

Engineers wondered if a plane that operated solely on solar power could be built. Their efforts over a decade result in the Solar Impulse HB-SIA, the plane that triumphantly takes to the air. Making a 26-hour nonstop day-night-day flight climaxes the success of the Solar Impulse.

Star Clock BC

Over a century ago, sponge divers recovered an extremely complex mechanical device from a shipwreck. It was decades before they determined it's purpose, to accurately track the movement of the stars in the night sky. Dubbed the Antikythera mechanism (for the location of the shipwreck from which it came), the device is considered the world's first computer, developed by the Greeks around the 1st century B.C. Scientists continue to marvel at its intricate system of gears which rival that of the most complex Swiss watch.

The Book That Can't Be Read

The centuries-old Voynich manuscript has remained an enigma. Filled with bizarre drawings and written in a language that even the best cryptographers cannot decipher, the tome has remained a puzzling mystery. The efforts to decode the book and determine its unknown author continue.

O2 The Molecule That Made the World

At this very moment, you could be breathing the same oxygen molecule that Genghis Khan and George Washington did! NGC is putting a unique twist on history by retracing the extraordinary journey of a single molecule of oxygen an adventure that takes place over millions of years. The story begins with the birth of oxygen, moves on to photosynthesis, then travels through the age of the dinosaurs and follows the first steps of early man.

Living in a Parallel Universe

Parallel universes, strange hidden worlds, where an alternative reality exists have haunted science fiction for decades. Parallel universes sound like a myth, but a surprising number of leading scientists believe they are real. National Geographic delves into the mysterious science of other universes and discovers that many of physics most cherished theories actually predict that there are other universes beside our own. But what are they like? Could we ever visit them? And if we did, who or what would we meet? The reality is weirder than any science fiction.

Venom Power

Bryan Fry has always been intrigued with things that can kill you. Since surviving a near fatal rattlesnake bite this scientist, turned venom hunter, has made it his mission to seek out the worlds deadliest creatures. Each venom he collects may hold the secret to creating life-saving medicines. Now Bryan targets North America and three of its most toxic species.

Sea Strikers

Go on an action packed, hi-tech fishing expedition with the Sea Strikers. When the ocean's top predators strike, their prey doesn't even know what hit them! NGC dives into the attack strategies that sea hunters employ to deliver killer blows. Biologists use an high-speed underwater camera to capture the hunting techniques of the goliath grouper, barracuda, bonito and bull shark, and provides also never-before-seen footage of the feeding habits of the ocean's other top predators — mackerel, mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna and billfish. Biologists Steve Huskey and Nicolai Konow, and underwater cameraman Andy Casagrande embark on a high-tech fishing expedition to capture the hunting techniques of some of the oceans top predators using a slow motion camera that produces breathtaking images.

Volcano Devils

The 1991 eruption of Japan's Mount Unzen, which killed 43 people, including three volcanologists, is recalled. Included: archival footage; survivor testimonies.

Moon Mysteries

What's Sexy?

Death of the Sun

Big Freeze

Roman Tech

Lightning Strike Investigated

In over 200 years of study, scientists are still unsure of what stimulates a lightning strike. One current theory suggests that cosmic rays could be the trigger. The odd phenomenon of ball lightning is examined, as well as recently discovered sprites that emanate upward from clouds and into the middle atmosphere.

The Deep

Explosive Force

Pyramids

In the space of 500 years, eighteen of these huge monuments were built. Focusing more on the "who" than the "how" of their construction, forensic anthropology learns that it wasn't slaves that built the pyramids, as originally thought. The facilities that housed the workers have been unearthed, giving a clearer picture of the mammoth project that was pyramid building.

Colliding Continents

The history and a projection of the future of the Earth's land masses caused by continental drift is explain by the theory of plate tectonics.

Birth of the Universe

Freeze Me

Forensics Under Fire

Ancient Asteroid

Extinctions

Deadliest Planets

Was Darwin Wrong ?

Our planet Earth is teeming with life. To some, it's a miracle - but can science explain how it came into existence? Critics have attacked the theory of evolution for 150 years. They claim it is full of holes, and the gaps reveal the hand of an Intelligent Designer. Who's right? Naked Science investigates the most explosive science of them all and asks, was Darwin wrong?

Amazing Planet

Stone Age Apocalypse

Comets

Prehistoric Americans

Deep Space Probes

Dino Meteor

Planet Storm

Earth's Core

Surviving Nature's Fury

Shark Attacks

For 400 million years, sharks have dominated the Earth's oceans. They have survived 5 planetary mass extinctions to become the top predators of the sea, honed to an evolutionary perfection. But what shark species is the most deadly? And where in the world is it least safe to venture in to the water? Naked Science travelled across the world from Australia to California to find out.

Telepathy

The supposed ability of some individuals to mentally transmit and receive thoughts is examined in this hour. Unsubstantiated claims are not proof, so several experiments are conducted to put the phenomenon to the test. This includes exploring the telepathic connection that some twins claim to experience through a series of tests on one twin and recording the other twin's reaction, and a Ganzfeld test where a person in one room attempts to transmit mental pictures to another person in a different room.

Volcano Alert

Spacemen

Bullets

Tsunami Warning

Birth of the Earth

Landslides

Loch Ness

Grand Canyon

The Rockies

Mysteries surrounding the Rocky Mountains are discussed. Included: recent theories on their formation and how the rate of growth of the American Rockies compares to that of their Canadian counterpart.

Birth of America

Birth of Life

How did life begin? its one of the most fundamental and difficult questions that has challenged us for ages. Our planet is teaming with life, from the highest mountain to the deepest ocean; life is everywhere. But what was the firing pistol that started the evolutionary race? How did material go from non-living to alive?

Pluto Rediscovered

Three million miles from earth lies a planet so small that even the most advanced telescopes. A dedicated core of scientists offer educated guesses as to the makeup and condition of Pluto, as well as discuss its qualifications to be counted as a planet. Meahwhile, the New Horizons space probe continues its nine year trek to the planet to finally reveal the secrets of the "planet".

Mars: Waterworld

Saturn's Secrets

Asteroid Alert

First to Cross the Ocean

Time Machine

Time travel theorists ask, what if we could send scientific and medical information through time--perhaps a cure for AIDS?

Earth's Invisible Shield

Big Bang

13.7 Billion years ago, there was absolutely nothing. No space, no time, and no matter. Then there was the Big Bang. Naked Science follows the first second of creation, when a minute speck of light appeared from nothing, expanded at unimaginable speed, and created everything we see in the Universe today.

Supercontinent

Who killed the Aztecs?

Ice Age Meltdown

What's Sexy

How to Kill a Planet

Hubble's Amazing Universe

Anatomy of a Hurricane

Twister Outbreak

Earth's Evil Twin

Millions of years ago, Venus and Earth cut similar figures. Roughly the same size and about the same distance from the sun, their respective evolutions could have followed similar paths. But today, Venus is a seething vision of Hell, its battery-acid atmosphere and incessant, hurricane-force winds masking a blistering volcanic surface. Some scientists wonder if it is a harbinger of whats in store for Earth. Thanks to the European Space Agency, Venus Express the most sophisticated satellite ever to visit the planet is orbiting Earths estranged twin, gathering the data we need to figure out why Venus went bad. Could our home planet be hurtling towards a similar fate? And could the hostile Venusian environment, now seemingly devoid of biologys most fundamental ingredient water yet harbour life?

Secret Life of Fireworks

Secret World of Fireworks explores the closely held secrets, recipes, and techniques from the world of pyrotechnic showmen. National Geographic takes a behind the scenes look into this exclusive world with unique access from Zambelli Internationale of New Castle, Pennsylvania - Americas First Family of Fireworks - along with rocket scientists and chemists from Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Tsunami From Outer Space

How the West Was Made

Living on the Moon

Birth of The Oceans

Stephen Hawking's Universe

Stephen Hawking is one of the worlds most famous scientists. But ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease, has left him almost totally paralysedand it is progressing. Unable to walk, talk, or write, his only way of communicating is through a computer program that turns a small movement of a finger or the blink of an eye, into words from a vocal synthesizer. But Hawking remains determined to discover a theory of everything, a complete set of rules for the Universe. Where did the Universe come from and where is it going? What is the nature of time? Will it ever come to an end? This programme will explore Hawkings major contributions to the understanding of our Universe - from his revolutionary proof that our Universe originated in a Big Bang; to his ground breaking discovery that Black Holes are not completely black, but rather emit radiation and eventually evaporate and disappear, to his insights on string theory. Will he unlock the secret of creation before his time runs out?

Incinerator Earth

Super Diamonds

The hardest known substance on Earth is known for its value and beauty. Scientists believe diamonds could also hold incredible possibilities for the future. Their incredible durability and their unique properties could revolutionize everything from computer chips to space explorations. All diamonds, however, contain minor flaws. What science must do is create a perfect "super diamond".

Monster Black Holes

Astronomers continue to study black holes to understand what role they play in the universe. Scientists understand that their incredible pull can swallow nearby stars and entire galaxies and that they warp time and space. Investigators use the equations of Einstein and theories of Hawking to figure out what the inside of a black hole looks like and what time, place, or dimension lies on the other side. AKA Monster of the Milky Way AKA Cosmic Monsters

Countdown To Impact

Vesuvius Time Bomb

Killer Asteroid

Supervolcano

National Geographic Naked Science presents "Super Volcano", the inside documentary of what might happen if the Yellowstone Caldera were to erupt one day. This documentary includes a Yellowstone timeline of past eruptions, how Yellowstone would affect the world, and what impact will it be for the U.S.

Angry Earth

Who Built Stonehenge?

The Deadliest Shark

Bermuda Triangle

Atlantis

Alien Contact

A mysterious crash in Roswell, NM during the 1940s convinced many that our planet is being visited by space aliens. Crop circles in Britain have only added fuel to the fire. Few scientists doubt that life indeed exists elsewhere, but some believe we're more likely to make contact via radio waves.

Angry Skies

Glacier Meltdown

Destructive Forces

Stone Age Apocalypse

Comets

Prehistoric Americans

Deep Space Probes

Great distances and dangerous environments make robotic spacecraft the best way for scientists to explore our solar system. Acting as our eyes and ears, these probes have revealed secrets about the distant planets and their moons, their surfaces, weather and environments.

Dino Meteor

Planet Storm

Polar Apocalypse

Killer Lakes

Since the death of 1,700 people near a lake in Africa, scientists have uncovered a terrifying series of hazards in lakes across the world.

Ring of Fire

Alien Safari

With advanced technology in their hands, astronomers and scientists may now be capable of detecting extraterrestrial life in the universe. In fact, some think the proof may be found in as little as a decade. Astronomers involved in the effort, including those at SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), discuss the possibilities and the likely spots for finding life outside of Earth.

Hyper Hurricanes

Dangers of the Deep

Solar Force

Birth of the Solar System

Thanks to new developments in the technology of astronomy, scientists have been able to collect new information, giving them clues to how our solar system was formed.

Human Extinction

Travel back in time to look at three of the largest mass extinctions that have decimated life on the planet. What caused these wipeouts?

Earth Without The Moon

Each year, the moon moves an inch and one half farther away from Earth and is gaining momentum. The gravity it exerts on our planet acts as a stabilization mechinism, allowing for a consistent range of temperatures, seasons and days. If the moon moves just ten percent farther, it will cause unbelievable disaster for our planet, as Earth tips up to 90 degrees on its axis.

Finding the Origin of Life

From Hawaii's volcanoes to Greenland's glaciers to meteorites in Australia, teams of international scientists race to solve the mystery of how life first formed on Earth.

Traveler's Guide to Mars

Preventing Armageddon

Until recently, there was nothing that could be done about natural disasters like super-volcanic eruptions, meteors striking Earth, and severe hurricanes. Now, both science and government are looking at possible game-changing options that include giant space mirrors, hurricane-draining pumps and lasers to save people and the planet.

Hunt for Aliens

Scientists reveal evidence of the existence of alien life. Detailed imaging of an underground ocean on a planetary moon and newly discovered extrasolar planets reveal what contacting alien life will be like. This is a serious scientific look at how will we meet ET.

Expedition Apocalypse

The famous explosion that took place in Siberia early in the 20th century, known as the Tunguska Event, obliterated everything within thousands of square miles. It was so intense that the skies of Europe were lit for several nights. The debate continues over its cause: meteor, comet, or volcanic gasses?

Iceland Volcano Eruption

Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted April 14, 2010, spewing aircraft-harming ash over most of Europe. It could cause Katla, its neighboring, larger volcano to erupt. NGC looks at Eyjafjallajokull before, during and after, explaining the science behind the chaos and the biggest disruption of air traffic since 9/11.

Dead Tired

Dead Tired uncovers research exploring whether tiredness may lead to heart attack, diabetes, obesity, and depression. In a unique TV experiment, witness what happens to a healthy 25-year old when he cuts back his sleep from eight to three hours a night for one week. The results are shocking! He loses lucidity, dreams whilst awake and drives a car while fast asleep!

21st Century Submarine

Cameras offer a rare look inside the Navy's latest weapon in the fight against terrorism: the USS Florida, a guided missile submarine. In a Joint Operations mission, the sub smuggles Navy SEALS ashore to identify a terrorist location and the use shipboard guided missiles to destroy the target. The technology on the sub allows it to operate quieter and stay underwater longer than previous ships.

Easter Island Eclipse

This program looks at the remarkable occurrence of the total solar eclipse over Easter Island on July 11, 2010. The program looks at the science of the sun as it is revealed via the eclipse phenomenon and then takes us "near live" to the actual event as the film will be aired domestically only a few hours after it takes place there.

Swallowed by the Sun

As the sun continues to age, it becomes increasingly hot and begins to expand, eventually swallowing up Earth. The temperatures on our planet will rise, turning the third rock from the sun into a scorched and uninhabitable wasteland. The changes our planet will undergo are depicted.

Lightning Chasers

Have you ever seen lightning strike from the ground to the sky or float in midair? Spectacular and exotic forms of this natural phenomenon are slowed down on film to reveal minute detail. Luminous spheres that linger in airplanes are recreated. We will show you how rockets launched into storm clouds coax lightning down to earth. Naked Science: Lightning Chasers illuminates secrets of nature's most striking

Man-Made Disasters

Some believe that man's insatiable desire to alter his environment is actually causing natural disasters. Urban sprawl perhaps strengthened a tornado in Atlanta; massive amounts of coal and water removal may have triggered Australia's strongest-ever earthquake; natural gas drilling causing a mud volcano in Java; these specific examples examined.

City Under the Sea

With most of the planet covered by oceans and overcrowding an issue on land, the time may be right to turn the science fiction idea of living beneath the sea into a reality. This episode examines what it would take to construct and operate an undersea colony of 100 families. The technology that could make it happen is already being developed.

Ancient Sea Monsters

Recently, paleontologists unearthed the fossilized remains of a 35-foot, 240 million-year-old ichthyosaur in Nevada's Augusta Mountains and instantly knew this creature would have been the ocean's top predator. Join the investigation as scientists attempt to understand where this unique creature fits in the evolutionary history of the first sea reptiles. Both in the lab and in the field, paleontologists search for clues to explain how a species that originally came from land transformed over millions of years into a purely aquatic creature.

Alien Fireballs

Scientists study fragments of a meteorite, hoping to gain insight into the origins of life on Earth. Also: a controversial space rock from Mars is examined at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Was Darwin Wrong?

Does evolution really explain how life on Earth began? For decades, critics have attacked Darwin's theory and supported the case for a designer behind our existence. Could Darwin have been wrong?

Snowball Earth

Imagine a world frozen solid. Imagine that vast sheets of ice hundreds of feet thick encased the entire planet--a giant snowball floating through space. This is not some exotic new world deep in space. It may be our world, the Earth. Some top-ranking scientists believe that in the past the Earth froze over completely for millions of years... then warmed up rapidly over 600 million years ago. Struggling against skepticism and disbelief for years, they have gathered a growing body of evidence that explains many mysteries, and others in the scientific community are slowly coming around to the extraordinary idea not just of the dramatic freeze, but of an equally dramatic thaw. Naked Science explores what may have been the most extreme period of Earths climatic history, Meeting all the major players of this controversial theory that is Snowball Earth.

Living On The Moon

An insider's look at NASA's Constellation program which hopes to establish a human outpost on the moon by 2020.

Twister Outbreak

On February 5th 2008 Super Tuesday 57 people lost their lives as 87 tornadoes devastated 5 states. It was Americas deadliest tornado outbreak in nearly a quarter of a century. Tornados are one of the most destructive forces of the planets with winds at 300 mile an hour. They can destroy buildings and hurl cars hundreds of feet through the air. Every year tornadoes decimate communities around the world killing hundreds of people. Planet Science deconstructs a tornado to learn how they form and how the develop such ferocious winds.