Secrets of the Sun -
nova

It contains 99.9 percent of all the matter in our solar system and sheds hot plasma at nearly a million miles an hour. The temperature at its core is a staggering 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. It convulses, it blazes, it sings. You know it as the sun. Scientists know it as one of the most amazing physics laboratories in the universe. Now, with the help of new spacecraft and Earth-based telescopes, scientists are seeing the Sun as they never have before and even re-creating what happens at the very center of the Sun in labs here on Earth. Their work will help us understand aspects of the sun that have puzzled scientists for decades. But more critically, it may help us predict and track solar storms that have the power to zap our power grid, shut down telecommunications, and ground global air travel for days, weeks, or even longer. Such storms have happened before-but never in the modern era of satellite communication. SECRETS OF THE SUN reveals a bright new dawn in our understanding of our nearest star-one that might help keep our planet from going dark.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 3907

No future air times were found for this episode.

About Nova:

PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines.

Along the way, NOVA programs demystify science and technology and highlight the people involved in scientific pursuits.

Watch Nova - Clips, Episodes & Previews

Secrets of the Sun Preview

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Future Broadcast times for "Nova": (show all)

Fri, May 30	3:00 P.M.	Decoding The Universe: Quantum NHPBS (11.1)
Tue, Jun 3	7:00 P.M.	The Planets: Ice Worlds NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 4	12:00 A.M.	The Planets: Ice Worlds NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 4	8:00 A.M.	The Planets: Ice Worlds NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 4	2:00 P.M.	The Planets: Ice Worlds NH World (11.3)
Tue, Jun 10	7:00 P.M.	Decoding The Universe: Quantum NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 11	12:00 A.M.	Decoding The Universe: Quantum NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 11	8:00 A.M.	Decoding The Universe: Quantum NH World (11.3)
Wed, Jun 11	9:00 P.M.	Extreme Airport Engineering NHPBS (11.1)
Wed, Jun 11	10:00 P.M.	London Super Tunnel NHPBS (11.1)
Thu, Jun 12	1:00 A.M.	Extreme Airport Engineering NHPBS (11.1)
Thu, Jun 12	2:00 A.M.	London Super Tunnel NHPBS (11.1)
Fri, Jun 13	4:00 A.M.	Extreme Airport Engineering NHPBS (11.1)
Fri, Jun 13	3:00 P.M.	Extreme Airport Engineering NHPBS (11.1)
Fri, Jun 13	4:00 P.M.	London Super Tunnel NHPBS (11.1)
Sun, Jun 15	12:00 A.M.	London Super Tunnel NHPBS (11.1)