For millennia, the Sun has shaped Earth’s days, seasons, and the evolution of life—yet it remains one of the greatest mysteries in our cosmic neighborhood. Getting Close To The Sun follows NASA’s Parker Probe Plus as it performs the most daring mission in the history of space exploration: flying directly into the Sun’s outer atmosphere. Battling extreme radiation and temperatures hotter than any spacecraft has ever endured, the probe seeks answers about the Sun’s true nature, its immense energy, and the forces that shape our solar system. What secrets will it reveal—and how might it change our understanding of the star that keeps us alive?

Wildfires are becoming larger, faster, and more destructive than ever before, threatening forests, wildlife, communities, and lives around the world. How Can We Prevent Wildfires? explores the new generation of scientific tools designed to fight back against this growing crisis. From early-warning detection networks to AI-powered fire prediction and modern firefighting technologies, researchers are racing to stay ahead of record-setting flames. Discover how innovation, ecology, and engineering are reshaping our approach to preventing and controlling extreme wildfires—and how these breakthroughs could help protect our planet’s most vulnerable landscapes.

Can We Find A Cure For Infertility? investigates one of the most transformative scientific frontiers of our time: the possibility of creating healthy babies from stem cells. Researchers are rapidly advancing techniques that may one day make infertility a solvable condition, offering hope to millions who face biological or health barriers to parenthood. But with this remarkable progress comes a maze of ethical, legal, and societal challenges. From the creation of artificial embryos to redefining the boundaries of reproduction, this documentary examines the science behind the breakthrough—and the profound questions humanity must confront as we move toward a future where infertility could be eradicated.

The Importance of The Empire State Building explores the cultural, symbolic, and architectural legacy of one of New York City’s most iconic structures. Featured in thousands of films, commercials, and comic books, the Empire State Building has become the quintessential representation of New York itself. The documentary highlights its enduring role in shaping the city’s identity, the awe-inspiring experience of viewing Manhattan from its observation decks, and the impressive modernization efforts that have transformed the nearly century-old skyscraper into a highly efficient, state-of-the-art ecosystem. A timeless architectural beacon, the Empire State Building continues to define the skyline and spirit of New York.

Explore the true nature of the asteroid belt—far from Hollywood’s fictional chaos. This documentary reveals how the region between Mars and Jupiter is mostly empty, with asteroids separated by hundreds of thousands of miles. Featuring insights from NASA’s Dawn mission, the film highlights the dwarf planet Ceres and uncovers new clues about the origins of our solar system. Based on the Curiosity Stream documentary “Breakthrough: Asteroid Belt Discovery.”

Explore the evolutionary forces that shaped the modern human body. While humans may not excel as specialists in running, fighting, or hunting, our unmatched adaptability—and “jack of all trades” physiology—has become the key to our survival. Featuring insights from evolutionary research, this documentary from Curiosity Stream’s A Curious World series examines how genetic mutations, versatility, and natural selection made humans uniquely successful as a species.

An educational exploration into the latest paleontological discoveries about the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Learn how new fossil evidence links the small ancestor Moros Intrepidus to the 19,000-pound giant “Scotty,” the largest T-Rex ever found. A scientific look at the evolution, power, and legacy of the king of dinosaurs.

A scientific exploration into the latest breakthroughs in heart health. With heart disease being the leading cause of death worldwide, this documentary investigates new imaging technologies, cutting-edge research, and the potential future of 3D-printed hearts. Part of Curiosity Stream’s Breakthrough series

New York City is one of the few places in the world that still runs on steam—27 billion pounds every year. This documentary explores the hidden network of pipes beneath Manhattan, the steam stacks rising from the streets, and the historic system that still heats landmark structures like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Learn how this century-old technology became essential to NYC’s infrastructure in this episode of NYC: Revealed on Curiosity Stream.

More than 100 years ago, the Wright brothers changed the course of human history. Inspired by a childhood toy helicopter, Orville and Wilbur embarked on a lifelong scientific quest to understand flight. With no formal engineering education, they used their skills as bicycle mechanics, built experimental gliders, and conducted pioneering aerodynamic research. Their persistence led to the world’s first powered, controlled airplane flight. This Bright Now documentary explores their inventions, failures, and extraordinary achievements.

Babies captivate us with their chubby cheeks, tiny toes, and joyful giggles—but why? This documentary explores the biological, emotional, and evolutionary reasons behind the traits humans develop from infancy. Dive into the science of personality and discover which traits lead to stronger bonds, deeper connections, and even long-term success in life. Part of Curiosity Stream’s A Curious World series.

Mars, our closest planetary neighbor, is a cold, dusty, and lifeless world—yet it captures the imagination of explorers and scientists alike. This documentary explores the technological, environmental, and biological challenges of sending humans to Mars and establishing an Earth-independent settlement. From living in protective lava tubes to altering the planet’s atmosphere, discover what it would take to transform Mars into humanity’s next frontier. Part of Curiosity Stream’s A Curious World series.

Zealandia, a massive landmass hidden beneath the Pacific Ocean, was officially recognized in 2017 as Earth’s eighth continent. With only New Zealand and a few surrounding islands above water, this submerged world spans nearly 1.9 million square miles. Follow geologists—led by Nick Mortimer—as they piece together the geological clues that reveal how such a vast continent formed, sank, and remained undetected for so long. Part of Curiosity Stream’s Breakthrough series.

New York City’s 30,000 acres of parks provide essential green spaces within one of the world’s busiest metropolitan areas. From the iconic Central Park—often called the city’s “green lungs”—to neighborhood parks that quietly sustain local communities, these spaces offer recreation, relaxation, and environmental benefits. This NYC: Revealed episode explores the history, importance, and hidden infrastructure of NYC’s parks, along with the growing challenges of aging systems and decades of neglect.

Nearly a century after the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, archaeologists have unearthed a lost city in Luxor, revealing extraordinary insights into the golden era of ancient Egypt. The remarkably preserved structures, tools, pottery, jewelry workshops, and everyday objects uncover how Egyptians lived, worked, and created some of history’s most iconic treasures. Part of the Breakthrough series, this documentary explores one of the most important archaeological finds of modern times.

Insects are disappearing at an alarming rate, posing a serious threat to ecosystems worldwide. As pollinators decline, nearly 90% of plant species could be at risk, leading to a cascading collapse of biodiversity. This Bright Now documentary investigates the causes—from habitat loss to human-driven environmental changes—and reveals why protecting insects is essential for the survival of life on Earth.

Discover the extraordinary olfactory abilities of dogs, whose noses can detect explosives, missing people, illegal substances, and even illnesses such as cancer. This Breakthrough documentary explores cutting-edge scientific research aimed at replicating canine scent detection through advanced technology, including new tools and smartphone applications designed to identify diseases by smell. Could the secrets of a dog’s nose revolutionize human health detection?

Spiders have thrived for over 300 million years, mastering predation with extraordinary strategies and crafting intricate silk webs that continue to amaze scientists. This Breakthrough documentary explores the unmatched strength and flexibility of spider silk—seven times lighter than steel yet equally strong—and unveils new research showing that spiders can even detect sound vibrations through their webs. A deeper look into one of nature’s most remarkable engineering marvels.

Great white sharks are among the most feared predators on the planet—yet science still knows surprisingly little about them. Capable of reaching speeds of 35 mph and armed with 300 replaceable teeth, these sharks dominate the oceans. This Breakthrough documentary follows evolutionary biologist Dr. Toby Daly-Engel as she applies forensic-style DNA techniques to map the great white’s family tree, unlocking new secrets about their evolution, biology, and lineage.

Weather prediction has become more accurate than ever—24-hour forecasts are now 95% reliable, and 3-day forecasts hold an 80% accuracy rate. This Bright Now documentary explores the science of meteorology, revealing how experts use satellites, supercomputers, data models, and atmospheric analysis to understand and forecast the weather. Discover how new technologies are shaping the future of forecasting and helping scientists stay one step ahead of nature.

During the Ice Age, massive ice sheets kept global sea levels significantly lower. Today, as the Arctic warms, Greenland’s ice is melting rapidly, adding billions of tons of water to oceans every year. This Breakthrough documentary investigates the environmental and societal consequences of this melting ice, including rising seas, changing weather patterns, and impacts on ecosystems, highlighting why scientists around the world are closely monitoring Greenland’s disappearing ice sheet.

New York City is home to one of the busiest airspaces in the world. Managing JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports requires handling 140 million passengers and over 3,000 flights each day. This NYC Revealed episode examines the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, the upgrades needed to modernize these airports, and the strategies used to ensure smooth operations in one of the globe’s most complex aviation systems.

The Chachapoya, known as the “Cloud Warriors,” were a mysterious pre-Incan civilization of the Peruvian Andes. This Breakthrough documentary delves into their unique culture, lifestyle, and enduring influence on modern Peru. Recent archaeological and genetic discoveries reveal surprising insights into their society, shedding light on a people often overlooked in South American history, yet whose legacy continues to fascinate researchers and historians today.

The I-400 was one of the largest submarines built by the Imperial Japanese Navy, capable of carrying and launching three fully operational aircraft. This Bright Now documentary follows maritime archaeologists as they search off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, for the wreck of this remarkable World War II vessel. Their expedition uncovers the technical marvels, historical significance, and secretive mission profile of Japan’s lost supersub, offering a fascinating glimpse into a little-known chapter of naval history.

This Bright Now episode explores what would happen if humanity faced a catastrophic apocalypse—whether from a virus, nuclear war, or asteroid strike. Even with a 99% population loss, millions would survive. Astrobiologist and author Lewis Dartnell reveals the essential scientific principles, tools, and technologies required to rebuild civilization from the ground up. From agriculture and medicine to energy and infrastructure, discover what it would truly take to restart society after global collapse.

Rip currents can transform a relaxing day at the beach into a life-threatening emergency. This Breakthrough episode explores how rip currents form, how to spot them from shore, and what survival techniques can save your life. Featuring expert insights and new research, it provides vital knowledge every swimmer and beachgoer should know.

Before they led America through national crises, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson endured profound personal struggles that shaped their leadership. This CuriosityStream documentary, featuring historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, explores how trauma and adversity forged the resilience and determination that defined these iconic presidents.

Firefighters are facing increasing challenges as rising temperatures and drier conditions create more frequent and intense emergencies. This Bright Now episode examines how new firefighting technologies—like the MSTAR emergency vehicle developed by former NASA engineer Mike Ralston—could transform frontline response and make saving lives easier in a rapidly changing world.

Humor may be one of the most powerful tools for improving emotional and physical health. This Bright Now episode explores what makes something funny, how laughter affects the brain, and whether comedy can be taught. Featuring stand-up comedian Carmen Lynch and insights from neuroscientists and clown instructors, the documentary reveals the surprising science behind why we laugh.

Tiny houses are becoming a powerful movement in sustainable living. This Bright Now episode follows designer Graham Hill as he transforms a small shed in Maui into a cutting-edge eco-friendly tiny home. Through green technology, minimalist design, and off-grid solutions, the documentary explores how tiny houses can reduce environmental impact and inspire a new way of living.