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NOVA

UFO Sightings: How Scientists are Trying to Capture More Data

Season 52 Episode 1 | 5m 00s

There have been reports of UFO and UAP sightings for decades, but these accounts are often difficult to verify. Now, scientists are in search of the elusive: hard data. From machine learning sites that analyze the sky 24/7, to a crowd-sourcing app that asks the public to submit their own UFO videos, discover the inventive methods at play to capture more data.

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
Watch • 1:58
NOVA
What's Inside These Ancient Egyptian Jars?
A nearly 3,000-year-old canopic jar is discovered in an Egyptian tomb.
Clip: S52 E4 | 1:58
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Secrets of the Forest Preview
Follow scientists in a quest to understand how complex forest ecosystems can help cool our planet.
Preview: S52 E8 | 0:30
Watch • 5:17
NOVA
The Rocket-Less Future of Space Travel
Space elevators? Nuclear rockets? The future of space travel could look radically different.
Clip: S52 | 5:17
Watch • 5:04
NOVA
Do Aliens Exist? This Famous Equation Offers a Clue
The Drake Equation helps scientists estimate the odds of finding intelligent alien civilizations.
Clip: S52 | 5:04
Watch • 5:07
NOVA
4 Ways the Universe Could End
If the universe as we know it started with the Big Bang, will it also have an end?
Clip: S52 | 5:07
Watch • 6:03
NOVA
Building Blocks of Life Discovered on Distant Asteroid
Scientists have discovered the building blocks of life in samples retrieved from a distant asteroid.
Clip: S52 | 6:03
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Revolutionary War Weapons Preview
Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.
Preview: S52 E7 | 0:30
Watch • 2:57
NOVA
What Went Wrong on the Dali Before the Baltimore Bridge Collapse
The container ship Dali lost power causing it to crash into Baltimore’s Key Bridge.
Clip: S52 E6 | 2:57
Watch • 2:57
NOVA
What Caused Baltimore’s Key Bridge to Collapse?
Engineers explain how a vulnerability made the bridge open to catastrophe.
Clip: S52 E6 | 2:57
Watch • 2:58
NOVA
This Pompeii Priest Had an Unexpected Rise to Power
In a recently discovered tomb in Pompeii, archeologists made a startling discovery.
Clip: S52 E5 | 2:58
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NOVA
Secrets of the Forest
Follow scientists in a quest to understand how complex forest ecosystems can help cool our planet.
Episode: S52 E8
NOVA
Revolutionary War Weapons
Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.
Episode: S52 E7
Watch • 53:32
NOVA
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Follow the investigation into the deadly container ship collision that closed the Port of Baltimore.
Episode: S52 E6 | 53:32
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Pompeii's Secret Underworld
Archaeologists uncover new truths about Pompeii, a wealthy Roman playground with dark secrets.
Episode: S52 E5 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Egypt's Tombs of Amun
A long-lost ancient cemetery opens the door to a unique period in Egyptian history.
Episode: S52 E4 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Dino Birds
Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs.
Episode: S52 E3 | 53:40
Watch • 53:43
NOVA
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Can science reveal the secrets of mysterious objects seen in our skies?
Episode: S52 E1 | 53:43
Watch • 53:40
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Mysterious bodies are found under one of the world’s most famous cathedrals.
Episode: S51 E18 | 53:40
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NOVA
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From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Episode: S51 E17 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Extreme Airport Engineering
Follow the race to build a world-class airport on the site of one of America’s busiest flying hubs.
Episode: S52 E2 | 53:40