If there was ever a time to remember what channel PBS is on your cable system, a total solar eclipse is it.
Those of us of a certain age undoubtedly remember the PBS science series NOVA. Even if you didn’t watch it regularly, you certainly recall commercials for it playing on a regular basis. It’s still around, and it’s celebrating the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. in decades tonight.
Indeed, NOVA: Eclipse Over America is exactly what it sounds like: a one-hour special devoted to not only how people took in this particular eclipse, but the history of how scientists have studied the phenomena over the years.
Here’s a brief synopsis courtesy of TV Guide:
"Scientists and citizens alike observe the first total solar eclipse to traverse the U.S. mainland in more than a generation. Included: the storied history of eclipse science; and cutting-edge research into the solar corona."
Next: All live stream info in one place
And here’s all the info you need to watch the special live, either on TV or online on Monday night:
Date: Monday, Aug. 21
Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
Episode: “NOVA: Eclipse Over America”
TV Channel: PBS
Live Stream: Stream 1 | Stream 2
It’s worth noting that the special will air hours after the eclipse actually departs the U.S., so it’s not a live special focusing on the event as it’s happening. There are ways to (safely) watch it live, which you can find right here.
Instead, NOVA will dive into how both scientists and regular people alike reacted to what is not quite a once in a lifetime event but one that happens pretty rarely. It should be a fascinating hour of television, one that, like the eclipse itself, is worth carving some time out of your busy schedule to check out.