Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encores Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. on KPBS TV and 9 p.m. on KPBS 2
Explore big discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.A lot has changed in the last 50 years, especially in our understanding of the cosmos. DECODING THE UNIVERSE "Cosmos" explores the last five decades in astronomical discovery, as well as the most pressing questions cosmologists are now trying to answer. How did our vision of the universe get completely overturned in just a few decades, and what new surprises might lie just over the horizon?
Since the 1970s and the launch of the Voyager missions, scientists have confirmed the existence of planets beyond our solar system, supermassive black holes, and thousands of previously unknown galaxies.
Perhaps the most important discovery of the last half century has been how much is still unknown about the universe. DECODING THE UNIVERSE "Cosmos" documents what we currently know about dark matter and dark energy, two properties that were only accepted as “real” during the last 50 years. Scientists now believe dark energy is the most powerful force in the universe.
This is the first part of a two-part NOVA special tracing ground-breaking discoveries that have transformed our picture of the universe over the past 50 years, shedding light on everything from exoplanets to supermassive black holes to the size and ultimate fate of the cosmos.
Watch On Your Schedule: DECODING THE UNIVERSE Part 1 "Cosmos and Part 2, "Quantum" are available to stream with KPBS+, a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.
You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience). Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.
