Breakthrough

Take a deeper look at some of the recent developments in physics, astronomy and other sciences.

Sixty years ago, Mariner 4 sent back the first images of Mars. It's a trip NASA has made twenty more times since. Robots—probes, landers, rovers, and even helicopters—are searching for signs of life on the Red Planet, and paving the way for us to follow. Our journey to Mars has already begun.

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Our journey to Mars has already begun. Robots—probes, landers, rovers and helicopters—are searching for life on the Red Planet, and paving the way for us to follow.

Pathways to Mars

Get ready for humanity's first deep dive into an alien ocean world! NASA's Europa Clipper heads to Jupiter's icy moons to explore the ultimate question: Is there life beyond Earth?

Get ready for humanity's first deep dive into alien ocean worlds on Jupiter's icy moons. NASA's Europa Clipper explores the ultimate question: Is there life beyond Earth?

Europa Clipper: Mission to an Alien Ocean

In Antarctica, a state-of-the-art robotic penguin, called ECHO, is changing the way scientists monitor wildlife. The autonomous yellow robot has been integrated into the penguin colony and is using remote sensing technology to monitor these now-endangered penguin colonies.

In Antarctica, ECHO—a state-of-the-art robotic penguin—uses remote sensing technology to monitor these now-endangered penguin colonies.

ECHO: The Penguin’s Bodyguard

It’s been called the most significant breakthrough of the century. For the first time, scientists are using a new type of astronomy to detect gravitational waves all around us, opening a window into the history of our universe that could someday lead to time travel.

Arguably the most significant breakthrough of the century, a new type of astronomy is detecting gravitational waves throughout our universe.

Gravitational Waves: A New Universe

Launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returns to Earth after a 7-year journey with NASA’s very first asteroid sample. Rocks and dust collected in 2020 from the asteroid Bennu will provide scientists with key evidence from the birth of our solar system—about 4.5 billion years ago.

Spacecraft OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth after a 7-year journey with NASA’s first asteroid sample—providing scientists with evidence from the birth of our solar system.

OSIRIS-REx: The Return

A giant mass of floating seaweed is invading popular beaches in the US and Caribbean! At sea, the sargassum belt is a floating ecosystem, but when it hits the shore it turns toxic. Scientists are racing to figure out how to protect the coast while tracking and studying this natural wonder.

A giant mass of floating seaweed is invading popular beaches in the US and Caribbean!

The Great Seaweed Invasion

Earthquakes can leave a path of destruction with no warning. Through the latest technology, scientists are scrambling for a breakthrough that can forecast where and when earthquakes will strike next.

Through the latest technology, scientists are scrambling for a breakthrough that can forecast where and when earthquakes will strike next.

Forecasting the Big One

Findings of small-skulled fossils uncover more about when and how ancient beings lived; Dive further into archaeologists' discovery of Egypt's Lost City of Luxor.

Homo Naledi/Egypt's Lost City

We’ve known about them for centuries and have been photographing them for decades, but a new pair of missions will be launching to bring us closer than we’ve ever been to Jupiter’s icy moons. Revealing answers to what may be astronomy’s biggest question…do the conditions for life exist beyond Earth?

Two new missions will bring us closer to Jupiter’s icy moons. Revealing answers to what may be astronomy’s biggest question…do the conditions for life exist beyond Earth?

Jupiter's Moons and the Search for Life

Humanity is closer than ever before to a perpetual clean power source after a team of scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory successfully produced a nuclear fusion reaction resulting in a net energy gain. We now know one thing is possible, we can reach ignition.

Humanity is closer than ever before to a perpetual clean power source.

Fusion: Harnessing the Power of Stars

With new state-of-the-art tools and technologies that include curious underwater vehicles and hydrodynamic modeling, scientists have hope of better understanding the threats to coral communities while finding the source to restock reefs worldwide.

With new state-of-the-art tool, scientists have hope of better understanding the threats to coral communities.

Reefs of Hope

For the first time in history, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has pierced the Sun’s corona and is orbiting above its surface. Scientists have a front-row seat to better understand the sun and predict huge solar eruptions that can cause serious damage when they hit Earth.

For the first time in history, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has pierced the Sun’s corona and is orbiting above its surface.

Voyage Into the Sun

Anyone stuck in traffic has fantasized about lifting off and transforming their car into a helicopter. A sleek ride, capable of circumventing the chaos of city driving, soaring above coastal roads, or even the coast itself. Those days are upon us as flying cars move out of the realm of fantasy.

Anyone stuck in traffic has fantasized about lifting off and transforming their car into a helicopter.

Tomorrow's Flying Cars

While humans debate which is worse, dwindling resources or planet-killing celestial bodies, new breakthroughs in extra-planetary surveying and rocket propulsion are revealing the dichotomy of asteroids; those that might provide a new source of precious metals and those that can outright kill us.

New breakthroughs in extra-planetary surveying and rocket propulsion are revealing the dichotomy of asteroids.

Year of the Asteroid

This is an inside look at NASA's groundbreaking Artemis Program, the spacecraft, and the people who will bring humanity one step closer to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Artemis: First Launch

The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. These first images from the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope demonstrate Webb at its full power.

The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

First Images: The James Webb Telescope

Forecasting volcanic eruptions is notoriously challenging, but teams of scientists from around the globe may soon be utilizing cosmic rays to diagnose when a volcano is about to blow.

Forecasting volcanic eruptions is notoriously challenging, but teams of scientists may soon be utilizing cosmic rays to diagnose when a volcano is about to blow.

Into the Volcano

New research reveals how incredible these ancient, unchanged reptiles really are - partly because of what’s called negligible senescence. This means that Alligators show almost no signs of aging -- regardless of how long they live - and that they are “biologically immortal.”

New research reveals how incredible these ancient, unchanged reptiles really are - partly because of what’s called negligible senescence.

Immortal Alligators

Astronomers linked radio dishes around the world to create the “Event Horizon Telescope” and have utilized this tool to photograph a supermassive black hole in the heart of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Its name is “Sagittarius A Prime” and it is over 4 million times more massive than the Sun.

Astronomers linked radio dishes around the world to create the “Event Horizon Telescope” and have utilized this tool to photograph a supermassive black hole.

Capturing A Black Hole In Our Milky Way

This is the epic story of the James Webb Space Telescope, told first-hand by the scientists who developed it. Building the largest, most advanced, and most expensive telescope ever made does not come without its challenges. But seeing further into space than ever before will be worth the struggle.

The story of the science behind the largest, most advanced, and most expensive telescope ever made.

Building The James Webb Telescope

For the first time in decades, NASA is sending two new missions to Venus designed to study and explore the planet’s atmosphere and earth-like composition. Together, DAVINCI and VERITAS will provide a new, 360º view of Venus -- its history, and perhaps a window into Earth’s past as well.

For the first time in decades, NASA is sending two new missions to Venus designed to study and explore the planet’s atmosphere and earth-like composition.

Voyage To Venus

The ICARUS system monitors the movements and behaviors of Earth’s creatures from space. An antenna mounted on the International Space Station receives data from tiny trackers attached to animals and birds, opening the door to new discoveries that can warn us of natural disasters and outbreaks.

The ICARUS system monitors the movements and behaviors of Earth’s creatures from space.

ICARUS: Tracking Creatures From Space

A team of scientists embarks on a quest to explore the mesopelagic zone or ocean twilight zone which sits beneath the surface layer of the ocean and stretches around the world. This mysterious region just might hold the key to climate change and the planet’s future.

A team of scientists embarks on a quest to explore the mesopelagic zone or ocean twilight zone which sits beneath the surface layer of the ocean.

Ocean Twilight Zone

A dog's sense of smell can do amazing things. Dogs can help humans sniff out all kinds of things that improve our lives, explosives, missing persons, illegal drugs. Now the latest research is revealing that dogs can detect disease, even cancer.

A dog's sense of smell can do amazing things. Dogs can help humans sniff out all kinds of things that improve our lives, explosives, missing persons, illegal drugs.

Secrets of a Dog's Nose

Nearly a century after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, archaeologists uncover the lost city of Luxor revealing new details about life in the Golden Era of ancient Egypt.

Nearly a century after the discovery of King Tut's tomb archaeologists uncover the lost city of Luxor revealing new details about life in the Golden Era of ancient Egypt.

Egypt's Lost City

From their unique predatory behaviors to the web masterpieces they weave, science is revealing big breakthroughs about spiders and their super strong and flexible silks.

Super Spider Silk

65 million years ago, an immense space rock slammed into Earth, creating the equivalent of nuclear winter, killing all of the dinosaurs. Now, a team of scientists believes there was a witness to the catastrophe …a survivor that walked alongside T-rex … and that also allowed humans to be here today.

65 million years ago, an immense space rock slammed into Earth, creating the equivalent of nuclear winter, killing all of the dinosaurs.

First Human Link

Drones have already conquered Earth, and now they're heading out into the solar system. The Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity is proving to be successful and will pave the way for Dragonfly, a future daring mission to Titan.

Drones have already conquered Earth, and now they're heading out into the solar system.

Drones in Space: Mars to Titan

By examining countless Megalodon teeth from around the world, scientists have concluded that "meg" was able to achieve its gargantuan proportions by starting its carnivorous diet early -- in the womb.

Scientists have concluded that "meg" was able to achieve its gargantuan proportions by starting its carnivorous diet early -- in the womb.

Decoding Megalodon

The North Atlantic Right Whale is on the verge of extinction. The leading cause of death and injury to the whales is from ship strikes or entanglement in fishing lines. In this Breakthrough episode, we will hear from the leading experts and biologists who are racing to save this species.

The North Atlantic Right Whale is on the verge of extinction. The leading cause of death and injury to the whales is from ship strikes or entanglement in fishing lines.

Saving the Right Whale

Our bodies are habitats for bacteria, and many of the microbes are beneficial to us. Scientists believe that within a few decades many useful microbes will have disappeared … so they want to create a vault for Human Microbiota like a Noah's Ark for the future of the human species.

Scientists believe that within a few decades many useful microbes will have disappeared so they want to create a vault for Human Microbiota.

Noah's Ark for the Humans

Archaeologists and geneticists are uncovering surprising details about one of the most mysterious civilizations in Pre-Incan South America. While many are familiar with the Incas…few have heard of the Chachapoya, the people known as the Cloud Warriors, a mysterious pre-Incan Peruvian culture.

Archaeologists and geneticists are uncovering surprising details about one of the most mysterious civilizations in Pre-Incan South America

Peru's Mysterious Cloud Warriors

Watch as the Mars Perseverance Rover makes its historic landing on the Red Planet. We take you inside the harrowing February 18, 2021 landing, the science mission, and cutting-edge technology, including the first-ever Martian helicopter.

Watch as the Mars Perseverance Rover makes its historic landing on the Red Planet. We take you inside the harrowing February 18, 2021 landing and its science mission.

Mars Perseverance: The Hunt Begins

How did the western United States become a hotspot for unwieldy and devastating forest fires? Learn how the history of forest management and loss of public trust, coupled with climate change, have led to the conditions driving mega-fire nearly year-round.

Learn how the history of forest management and loss of public trust, coupled with climate change, have led to the conditions driving mega-fire nearly year-round.

The West is Burning

OSIRIS-REx is NASA's first asteroid-sampling spacecraft on an asteroid called BENNU. It attempts a "touch-and-go" (TAG) sample collection which involves a series of maneuvers that will bring the spacecraft down to the asteroid's surface.

OSIRIS-REx is NASA's first asteroid-sampling spacecraft on an asteroid called BENNU.

OSIRIS-REx: Asteroid Hunter

Capture teams from the U.S. National Park Service track down and relocate wolves to Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior under an ambitious initiative to restore balance to a wilderness ecosystem.

Capture teams from the U.S. National Park Service track down and relocate wolves to Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior to restore balance.

Return of the Wolves

On August 2, 2020, two NASA astronauts plunged back to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. Witness their historic flight, from the first manned launch from the US in nearly a decade to the first splashdown attempt since the Apollo era.

Witness this historic flight, from the first manned launch from the US in nearly a decade to the first splashdown attempt since the Apollo era.

Flight of the Dragon (Mission Update)

Meet Perseverance, NASA's latest rover, as it heads to Mars to answer one question: did life exist on the red planet? On the way, it will lay the foundation for human exploration of our closest neighbor.

Meet Perseverance, NASA's latest rover, as it heads to Mars to answer one question: did life exist on the red planet?

Hunting For Martian Life: The Perseverance Rover

Bats are getting their share of the blame for the COVID-19 pandemic, but are they really at fault?

Coronavirus: Don't Blame Bats

The latest developments in space technology continue to reveal the wonders of our solar system. With new moons recently spotted orbiting Saturn, the gas giant has taken the lead in our cosmic neighborhood's moon count.

With new moons recently spotted orbiting Saturn, the gas giant has taken the lead in our cosmic neighborhood's moon count.

Saturn: The Moon King

Could a 75 million-year-old dinosaur skull that has been sitting in a museum for over 20 years hold the first-ever dinosaur DNA discovered by humans? Follow an international team of scientists as they try to unlock the mystery of dinosaur DNA sequences.

Could a 75 million-year-old dinosaur skull that has been sitting in a museum for over 20 years hold the first-ever dinosaur DNA discovered by humans?

Raising Dinos From The Dead

Hundreds of millions of people around the world could run out of water soon. Experts are desperately searching for solutions to stave off "Day Zero" when the taps will run dry. But the recent discovery of a massive aquifer hidden beneath the U.S. coastline may offer the greatest hope for humanity.

People around the world could run out of water. But the recent discovery of a massive aquifer hidden beneath the U.S. coastline may offer the greatest hope for humanity.

World Without Water

With countries racing to combat COVID-19 and communities across the world on lockdown, the world's attention has been directed towards medical solutions to this disease outbreak. However, there's another largely unseen health factor currently at play: our mental well-being.

With countries racing to combat COVID-19 and communities across the world on lockdown, the world's attention has been directed towards medical solutions to this disease.

Coronavirus: Psychology of a Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic ramps up globally, every day brings new information about the disease. Learn what the virus does to the human body, and hear from the medical experts searching for techniques to treat the illness.

Learn what the COVID-19 virus does to the human body, and hear from the medical experts searching for techniques to treat the illness.

Coronavirus: Treating the Disease

According to current estimates, a widely available COVID-19 vaccine will likely be available within the next 12 months. Why so long? Learn how vaccines are developed and explore the current state of the coronavirus landscape, guided by the scientists on the ground trying to find a solution.

According to current estimates, a widely available COVID-19 vaccine will likely be available within the next 12 months. Why so long? Learn how vaccines are developed.

Coronavirus: Race For a Vaccine

Officially designated as a pandemic, it seems as if COVID-19 has taken over the world. Lucky for us, this isn’t the first time we’ve had to deal with a serious virus outbreak. Experts share the methods currently in place to slow down this infectious disease.

Officially designated as a pandemic, it seems COVID-19 has taken over the world. Lucky for us, this isn’t the first time we’ve had to deal with a serious virus outbreak.

Coronavirus: Combating the Outbreak

Is it possible that there is a hidden planet within our own solar system? New evidence suggests that the fabled Planet X, or Planet 9, may indeed exist… but where? Meet the teams racing to discover and redefine our planetary neighborhood.

Is it possible that there is a hidden planet within our own solar system? New evidence suggests that the fabled Planet X, or Planet 9, may indeed exist… but where?

Search for Our Sun's Lost Planet

The coronavirus is spreading at frightening speeds from Wuhan, China, to the rest of the world. How did this virus develop, and how close are we to finding an effective vaccine?

The coronavirus is spreading at frightening speeds from Wuhan, China, to the rest of the world. How did this virus develop?

The Coronavirus Epidemic

This year we said goodbye to one of our most intrepid planetary explorers, the Opportunity rover. Take a look back at its storied 15-year mission on Mars, and how it revolutionized our understanding of not just the red planet, but our solar system at large.

This year we said goodbye to one of our most intrepid planetary explorers, the Opportunity rover. Take a look back at its storied 15-year mission on Mars.

Opportunity: A Life on Mars

El León es conocido como el Rey de la Selva. Pero fueron los tigres dientes de sable los que gobernaron las Américas en el pasado. Sus fósiles nos cuentan la vida violenta y casi humana de esta misteriosa especie.

Lucha Entre Dientes De Sable

The Greenland ice sheet, the last remnant of the Ice Age, is melting at an unprecedented rate. Today, scientists and researchers from all over the world are paying close attention to what could become a global catastrophe.

The Greenland ice sheet, the last remnant of the Ice Age, is melting at an unprecedented rate.

Greenland is Melting

Wildfires have greatly increased in size and intensity over the past few years. After record-setting conflagrations erupted in the region’s prized forests, new tools using cutting-edge technology are being developed to help save property and lives.

After record-setting conflagrations erupted in the region’s prized forests, new tools using cutting-edge technology are being developed to help save property and lives.

Extreme Wildfire Combat

For all of human history, the Sun, our home star, has measured our days and our seasons while fueling all life on Earth. Yet it remains an enigma. NASA's Parker Probe Plus is on a mission to change that -- flying through dangerous radiation to become the closest spaceship to orbit our Sun.

For all of human history, the Sun, our home star, has measured our days and our seasons while fueling all life on Earth. Yet it remains an enigma.

Touching the Sun

Lions may be known as the kings of the jungle, but it was saber-tooth cats that ruled over the Americas. New fossil evidence is shinning a light on the violent lives of these mysterious species.

Long ago, Saber-tooth cats ruled over the Americas. Fossil evidence is shinning new light on the violent lives of these mysterious species.

Saber-Tooth Brawl

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is renowned for its decimation of Pompeii, but nearby, an equally impressive Roman settlement known as Herculaneum was lost to history. Today, the latest in technology is opening a wind to the past, as scientists digitally "unravel" the Herculaneum Scrolls.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is renowned for its decimation of Pompeii, but nearby, an equally impressive Roman settlement known as Herculaneum was lost to history.

Herculaneum Scrolls: Unraveling History

Rip currents can appear without warning, turning an ideal beach outing into a horrific scene of chaos and panic. But groundbreaking new research could teach thousands of potential victims how to spot and escape these silent killers before it's too late.

Rip currents can appear without warning, turning an ideal beach outing into a horrific scene of chaos and panic.

Escaping Rip Currents

The real impact of global warming is now being felt in communities around the world. Climate scientists explain what to expect where you live, and what steps might still be taken to reverse the climate crisis.

The real impact of global warming is now being felt in communities around the world.

Climate Crisis

A ballistic missile test by India recently shot down one of its own communications satellites. With over 900,000 pieces of debris currently orbiting planet Earth, space trash has become a very real threat to ongoing missions.

A ballistic missile test by India recently shot down one of its own communications satellites.

Space Junk Dangers

Hayabusa2 became the first spacecraft to take subsurface samples of an asteroid. How did they do it? Easy, just blow a crater on the surface! The probe now has its final sample and will begin its journey back home in the coming months.

Hayabusa2 became the first spacecraft to take subsurface samples of an asteroid. How did they do it? Easy, just blow a crater on the surface!

Hayabusa2: Asteroid Explosion

66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, causing a dinosaur mass extinction. With over 700,000 asteroids in space, what's in store for humanity and our planet if it happens again?

66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, causing a dinosaur mass extinction. What's in store for humanity if it happens again?

Modern Day Killer Asteroid

One of the oldest known hominins in southern Africa. An almost complete skeleton dates back more than three million years. Found in 1994 in the Sterkfontein Caves near Johannesburg in South Africa, which form part of the “Cradle of Humankind”.

One of the oldest known hominins in southern Africa. An almost complete skeleton dates back more than three million years.

Little Foot: Exploring Our Origins

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, but there are researchers frantically working to change that. Meet the people inventing the future of cardiac health, from new ways of imaging the body to the possibility of 3D printing a functioning heart.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, but there are researchers frantically working to change that.

Fixing A Broken Heart

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is known as the king of the dinosaurs, but how did its reign begin? Meet Moros Intrepidus, a 180 lb., deer-sized ancestor to the T-Rex. Learn how the latest in paleontology can now link this small dinosaur to the 19,000-pound Scotty, the largest T-Rex ever discovered.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is known as the king of the dinosaurs, but how did its reign begin? Meet Moros Intrepidus, a 180 lb., deer-sized ancestor to the T-Rex

T-Rex Timeline

A non-profit organization established in 2011 is aiming to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the Moon. This is the story of their attempt and the excitement of being the first private company to have a spacecraft launched with the intention of going to and landing on the moon.

A non-profit organization established in 2011 is aiming to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the Moon.

Private Moonshot

How close are we to rendering infertility a problem of the past? Scientists believe that they are steps away from making healthy babies from stem cells, opening the doors for those with health limitations to become parents. But what are the legal and ethical implications of this breakthrough?

How close are we to rendering infertility a problem of the past?

Making Babies

Wiped off the face of the Earth by humans nearly a century ago, geneticists are now working on resurrecting the enigmatic Tasmanian Tiger.

Resurrecting Tasmanian Tigers

Great white sharks are one of the most feared predators on Earth, and yet we know very little about them. Science is now revealing the mysteries of this perfect predator through evolutionary biology.

Great white sharks are one of the most feared predators on Earth, and yet we know very little about them. Science is now revealing the mysteries of this perfect predator.

Shark Family Tree

For the first time, scientists have captured a photograph of a black hole. The image verifies one of the most important theories in physics and will help unlock the greatest mysteries of the cosmos.

For the first time, scientists have captured a photograph of a black hole. The image will help unlock the greatest mysteries of the cosmos.