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The Best Episodes of NOVA Season 52

Every episode of NOVA Season 52 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NOVA Season 52!

Binge this in 18h 36m•Peaking at 7.9/10

PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    NOVA Season 52 Episode 15 - Human: Into the Americas
    7.9/10(56 votes)

    S52:E15

    Follow ancient humans' perilous journey into the Americas, where a frigid Ice Age landscape, mammoths, and other fearsome beasts tested their resilience.

    Directors:Naomi Austin, Andrew Thompson
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. NOVA Season 52 Episode 3 - Dino Birds
    7.8/10(62 votes)

    S52:E3

    Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. NOVA Season 52 Episode 19 - Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build
    7.8/10(52 votes)

    S52:E19

    From ammonia leaks to Space Shuttle disasters to a spacewalk gone terribly wrong, astronauts and Mission Control insiders relive the most terrifying moments during construction of the International Space Station.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. NOVA Season 52 Episode 14 - Human: Neanderthal Encounters
    7.7/10(51 votes)

    S52:E14

    For 400,000 years, Neanderthals thrived across frigid, Ice Age Europe. What happened when Homo sapiens arrived, and how did these encounters change our species – including our DNA – in ways still with us today?

    Director:Naomi Austin
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. NOVA Season 52 Episode 16 - Human: Building Empires
    7.7/10(51 votes)

    S52:E16

    Discover how Homo sapiens transformed from nomads to empire builders. Witness the innovations – from animal domestication to writing – that revolutionized ancient life and shaped our modern world.

    Director:James Tovell
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. NOVA Season 52 Episode 6 - Baltimore Bridge Collapse
    7.6/10(73 votes)

    S52:E6

    Follow the investigation into the deadly container ship collision that closed the Port of Baltimore.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. NOVA Season 52 Episode 18 - Superfloods
    7.6/10(50 votes)

    S52:E18

    In September 2024, Hurricane Helene dumped 14 inches of rain on North Carolina, triggering flash floods and killing more than 100 people. Why are these floods on the rise around the world-even in places thousands of feet above sea level?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. NOVA Season 52 Episode 20 - Operation Space Station: Science and Survival
    7.6/10(47 votes)

    S52:E20

    Witness life-or-death decisions 250 miles above Earth, as astronauts and Mission Control work together to survive moments of high danger on board humanity's remarkable orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. NOVA Season 52 Episode 13 - Human: Journeys
    7.5/10(51 votes)

    S52:E13

    Follow Homo Sapiens as they venture across the world, farther than any other human species. See how they invented new tools to thrive in challenging environments - and meet the mysterious hobbit-like humans they may have encountered along the way.

    Director:Ben Wilson
    Writer:Ben Wilson

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  10. NOVA Season 52 Episode 8 - Secrets of the Forest
    7.4/10(56 votes)

    S52:E8

    Follow scientists in a quest to understand how complex forest ecosystems can help cool our planet.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. NOVA Season 52 Episode 11 - Ultimate Crash Test: Impact
    7.4/10(44 votes)

    S52:E11

    Car safety experts just pulled off a first-of-its-kind remote controlled multi-vehicle pile up. Now investigators are put to the test as they analyze the data and look for insights into driver behavior and vehicle design.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. NOVA Season 52 Episode 10 - Ultimate Crash Test: Countdown
    7.3/10(54 votes)

    S52:E10

    What really happens in a multi-vehicle pileup? A first-of-its-kind experiment aims to stage a high speed crash to gain new insights on car safety. But how can they create and study a complex collision without putting any lives in danger?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. NOVA Season 52 Episode 12 - Human: Origins
    7.3/10(72 votes)

    S52:E12

    Where did humans come from, and what makes us unique? Discover the remarkable origins of Homo sapiens, and the crucial moments of innovation, communication, and ritual that set us on our path.

    Director:Naomi Austin
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. NOVA Season 52 Episode 7 - Revolutionary War Weapons
    7.2/10(69 votes)

    S52:E7

    Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. NOVA Season 52 Episode 4 - Egypt's Tombs of Amun
    7.1/10(66 votes)

    S52:E4

    A long-lost ancient cemetery opens the door to a unique period in Egyptian history.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. NOVA Season 52 Episode 5 - Pompeii's Secret Underworld
    7.1/10(80 votes)

    S52:E5

    Archaeologists uncover new truths about Pompeii, a wealthy Roman playground with dark secrets.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. NOVA Season 52 Episode 17 - Ancient Desert Death Trap
    7.1/10(52 votes)

    S52:E17

    Archaeologists investigate dozens of strange Stone Age megastructures in the Arabian desert. They're so big that their true form is visible only from the air, yet these giant structures were built by a mysterious people 9000 years ago.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. NOVA Season 52 Episode 2 - Extreme Airport Engineering
    6.9/10(55 votes)

    S52:E2

    Follow the race to build a world-class airport on the site of one of America’s busiest flying hubs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. NOVA Season 52 Episode 1 - What Are UFOs?
    6.8/10(102 votes)

    S52:E1

    Can science reveal the secrets of mysterious objects seen in our skies?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. NOVA Season 52 Episode 9 - Critical Condition: Health In Black America
    6.0/10(43 votes)

    S52:E9

    Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to suffer from chronic diseases than Whites. Why? From false beliefs that permeate modern medicine to life experiences that can damage human cells, uncover the underlying causes of racial health disparities.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 52 Ratings Summary

"Human: Into the Americas" is the best rated episode of "NOVA" season 52. It scored 7.9/10 based on 56 votes. Directed by Naomi Austin, Andrew Thompson and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/8/2025. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Dino Birds".