Hydrogen cyanide is a molecule that appears to be at the heart of the creation of life. To create it, scientists need a burst of energy the equivalent of an endless lightning storm.

This Molecule Could Explain the Origin of Life (3:28)

13.8 billion years ago, the universe began with a big bang and the atoms it created would find their way into everything: from celestial stars to the human body.

We're All Made of Stardust. Here's How. (3:29)

The harsh climate of Deception Valley, a remote section of the Kalahari, deters people from living there. As a result, it's become one of the most pristine wildlife habitats in the world.

Why Deception Valley's Deadly Heat is Good for Wildlife (1:39)

In Deception Valley, giant salt flats the size of Portugal are a major boon to the Botswanan economy. Today, Botswana relies heavily on extracting, manufacturing and exporting mineral commodities, such as soda ash.

You Won't Believe the Size of Botswana's Salt Flats (2:43)

In 1991, eight people spent two years living in giant, sealed-off glass domes, deep in the Arizona desert. This project, known as Biosphere 2, could be an important case study that helps us survive on an inhospitable alien planet.

This Science Experiment Could Help Us Live on Another Planet (2:57)

The Sani Pass, which cuts through the mountain peaks between South Africa and Lesotho, is known for being a death-defying experience. Its steep track is difficult when dry, almost impossible when it snows.

One of the Most Dangerous Mountain Passes in the World (1:43)

About 220,000 years ago, a meteor slammed into a corner of South Africa creating the Tswaing Crater. Today, it's a hotbed of wildlife and exotic vegetation, drawing tourists from all over the world.

The Most Beautiful View of South Africa's Tswaing Crater (2:25)

In one of his final on-camera appearances, iconic physicist Stephen Hawking issued a warning to humanity about the existential threats we face and how our survival depends on colonizing another planet.

Stephen Hawking's Stark Warning for Humans to Leave Earth (3:05)

In the Karoo region of South Africa, mysterious spiral shapes carved into the ground have attracted conspiracy theorists who liken them to the famous geoglyphs in the Nazca desert.

What Created These Strange Geoglyphs in South Africa? (1:55)

For sheer biodiversity, it's hard to top iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A World Heritage Site since 1999, it boasts a wealth of varied species all living side by side.

Why Birds Flock to This South African Nature Reserve (2:25)

One of the most important byproducts of the Hoover Dam is an artificial body of water known as Lake Mead. Its presence has helped the population of Clark County grow sevenfold since 1970.

How Was Red Rock Canyon Formed? (2:12)

One of the most important byproducts of the Hoover Dam is an artificial body of water known as Lake Mead. Its presence has helped the population of Clark County grow sevenfold since 1970.

Why Las Vegas's Landscape Is So Lush and Green (2:43)

Billionaire Richard Branson has set up Virgin Galactic as part of his dream to conquer the final frontier. But it's also a bet that could land him at the forefront of a new business: space tourism.

Richard Branson Speaks on Plan for Space Tourism (2:45)

Billionaire Elon Musk has donated money to the Mars Society in Utah. Its purpose is to help scientists prepare for the incredibly hostile conditions on the Red Planet.

Inside Look at the Mars Simulation Project in Utah (2:42)

Native Montanan Casey Anderson has stumbled across a family of mountain lions living in a nearby cave. He sets up cameras to get a closer look at their lives.

Cameras Catch Adorable Glimpse of Mountain Lion Family (3:32)

Adventurer Casey Anderson has tracked a female mountain lion to her unlikely den: an abandoned ranch close to his home. He ventures inside, camera in hand, for a closer look.

This Mountain Lion Hides Her Kills in Abandoned Ranches (3:23)

How do you deal with a king cobra that's holed up in a busy village in India? If you’re Gowri Shankar, world famous snake handler, it’s a simple matter of grabbing the snake by the tail and putting it in a bag.

Watch a Man Snatch an Angry Cobra With His Bare Hands (1:42)

Step behind the scenes as Attenborough and his intrepid crew battle against the falling tide to capture footage of one of nature's most enigmatic creatures: the epaulette shark.

Sir David Attenborough and His Crew Race to Film a Walking Shark (1:54)

An experienced cinematographer hoping to capture close-up footage of dwarf minke whales has to rely on a trick or two to lure them close. The result is one of the best shots he's ever taken.

This Videographer Strikes Gold with a Dwarf Minke Whale (1:54)

Ostrich eggs can weigh up to three pounds and have some of the hardest shells around. This honey badger, however, isn't about to let any of that get in the way of a tasty, protein-filled snack.

A Honey Badger Cracks Open a Thick Ostrich Egg (1:49)