Episode
NOVA: The Strange New Science of Chaos
Overview
NOVA explains "chaos," a new science that is making surprising sense out of chaotic phenomena in nature, from the weather to brain waves.
Details
- Series
- NOVA
- Season
- Season 16
- Episode
- Episode 3
- Air date
- 1989-01-31
- Runtime
- 55 min
Episode context
The Strange New Science of Chaos is Episode 3 in Season 16 of NOVA. It aired on 1989-01-31. The runtime is 55 min.
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Episode 2: The Last Journey of a Genius
NOVA looks at the bongo-playing scientist, adventurer, safecracker and yarn-spinner Richard Feynman, most recently famous for his role as gadfly of the Presidential Commission investigating the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
Episode 4: Back to Chernobyl
NOVA goes to the Soviet Union for an inside investigation of the world's most catastrophic nuclear power accident with correspondent Bill Kurtis.
More episodes from this season
Episode 1: Hot Enough for You?
Was the searing summer of 1988 a taste of things to come? NOVA looks at the greenhouse effect, which portends higher temperatures, rising sea levels and other environmental disasters.
Episode 5: God, Darwin and the Dinosaurs
In an Idaho classroom, teacher Phil Gerrish puts an unorthodox interpretation on the day's biology lesson. As students take notes, he explains that creationism is a valid scientific explanation for the origin on life. Once relying solely on the literal word of the Bible to make their case, creationists now argue that the scientific evidence is on their side. NOVA reports on this new twist in the long-running battle between creationism and evolution.
Episode 6: Adrift on the Gulf Stream
NOVA explores the importance of the Gulf Stream to ocean life, climate and human history.
Episode 7: Secrets of Easter Island (1)
In this two-part series, NOVA investigates the mystery of Easter Island in the South Pacific. Who built its celebrated statues and why?
Episode 8: Legends of Easter Island (2)
In the second part of this two-part series, NOVA explores ancient legends hold the clues to the violent history of the South Pacific's Easter Island.
Episode 9: The World Is Full of Oil!
Scientific detectives test their ingenuity in the effort to find underground oil deposits.
Episode 10: Confronting the Killer Gene
Arlo, Nancy and Janice each have a 50/50 chance of developing a devastating nerve disorder. A laboratory test can tell them if in fact they will fall victim. In their shoes, would you take the test? Thousands of others face a similar choice: to know, or not know, if they will carry the genetic time bomb of Huntington's disease. NOVA looks at this incurable disease which affects 20,000 people in the US and threatens tens of thousands of others.
Episode 11: The Hidden City
Actor Judd Hirsch narrates this behind-the scenes look at what makes New York City tick. Water, power and waste are the critical systems that usually work, but sometimes break down with disastrous consequences.
Episode 12: The Controversial Dr. Koop
In this profile of the former Surgeon General, NOVA follows events as they unfold in a unique behind-the-scenes account of a man who speaks his mind on AIDS, smoking and abortion.
Episode 13: Design Wars!
Five architects compete for the approval of architecture-obsessed Chicagoans in the contest to build the city's new public library. NOVA looks at the strengths and weakness of each of the suprisingly varied entries.