NOVA Minute

Series produced by NOVA

Series image

From the producers of NOVA, the award-winning PBS science series, comes the NOVA Minute—short but powerful explorations of the world of science for public radio listeners.

NOVA, the longest-running science series on PBS, is now bringing thought-provoking science to the public radio audience with NOVA Minutes—short but powerful explorations of science, technology, and medicine. In a world where people are bombarded with information, the brevity of the NOVA Minutes (60-90 seconds) is a cue to the audience to give these stories their full attention.

NOVA has long had a presence as the most watched science documentary on television and boasts a web site that is consistently the most popular on pbs.org. Expanding its presence to radio allows NOVA to fill a growing void in educational yet entertaining science content, reaching people wherever they are.

NOVA Minutes build on the series’ expertise in bringing science content to the audience in audio form. In 2005, NOVA launched its popular podcast feeds, which currently enjoy more than 3 million downloads each year. The series’ unparalleled access to the best experts allows us to give us more of what our audience wants – unique voices from the leading thinkers in science, technology, and medicine. Topics range widely, from flying antique aircraft to the future of particle physics.
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NOVA, the longest-running science series on PBS, is now bringing thought-provoking science to the public radio audience with NOVA Minutes—short but powerful explorations of science, technology, and medicine. In a world where people are bombarded with information, the brevity of the NOVA Minutes (60-90 seconds) is a cue to the audience to give these stories their full attention. NOVA has long had a presence as the most watched science documentary on television and boasts a web site that is consistently the most popular on pbs.org. Expanding its presence to radio allows NOVA to fill a growing void in educational yet entertaining science content, reaching people wherever they are. NOVA Minutes build on the series’ expertise in bringing science content to the audience in audio form.... Show full description


15 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Marine biologist Colleen Reichmuth works with walruses. She says that, like dolphins, they can communicate using an amazing variety of sounds.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Chris Goldfinger, Credit: NOAA
Geologist Chris Goldfinger explains how one earthquake can trigger others in a giant chain reaction.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:10
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Alan Stern, Credit: NASA
Planetary scientist Alan Stern thinks that when astronomers decide what is or isn't a planet, the criteria should be simple.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, KOSU, Kansas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:27
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Hubble Space Telescope, Credit: NASA
Astronomer and astronaut John Grunsfeld explains why the Hubble Space Telescope will have a lasting legacy.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:24
  • Purchases: 5
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Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says that when scientist Ernest Rutherford discovered that atoms were made mostly of empty space, he was afraid ...

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, KOSU, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:29
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Mark Lehner, Credit: pbs.org/nova
Archaeologist Mark Lehner says that his field is really about the art of observation.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:16
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Life returns to Mt. St. Helens, Credit: pbs.org/nova
Ecologist Charlie Crisafulli explains how being at Mt. St. Helens when it erupted completely changed the course of his career.

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:12
  • Purchases: 4
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Roboticist Cynthia Brazeal makes robots that interact socially with humans—taking cues from people's voices, facial expressions, and body language....

Bought by WEZU, Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:21
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Sam Bowring, Credit: MIT
Sam Bowring studies mass extinctions in the Earth's past. He says humans might not be around much longer... geologically speaking.

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:29
  • Purchases: 3
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NASA psychologist Al Holland describes the mental challenges astronauts might face during a 3-year mission to Mars.

Bought by 91.7 WHUS Storrs, WEZU, WXDU, Radio Newark, KRUA and more


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:28
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Kenny Broad
Anthropologist and explorer Kenny Broad studies some of the world's most dangerous places—underwater caves called "Blue Holes."

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:29
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Mark Siddall, Credit: Sara Watson
Leech expert Mark Siddall explains why leeches can survive on nothing but blood.

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:14
  • Purchases: 3
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Anthropologist Barbara McLeod explains how she learned to speak ancient Maya.

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:27
  • Purchases: 3
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Materials scientist Stephen Steiner says that high-speed computers in the future might run on man-made diamonds instead of silicon.

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:17
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Geoff Marcy, Credit: NASA
Planetary scientist Geoff Marcy describes how the Earth got just the right amount of water to support life.

Bought by Radio Newark, KRUA, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 22, 2011
  • Length: 01:29
  • Purchases: 3