Skip to main content
Creatures of Light

Up Next

School of the Future

School of the Future

Season 43 Episode 15
1:53:34
Ultimate Cruise Ship

Ultimate Cruise Ship

Season 44 Episode 4
53:09
Building Chernobyl's MegaTomb

Building Chernobyl's MegaTomb

Season 44 Episode 8
52:55
Bird Brain

Bird Brain

Season 44 Episode 20
53:32
Black Hole Apocalypse

Black Hole Apocalypse

Season 45 Episode 1
53:26
Great Escape at Dunkirk

Great Escape at Dunkirk

Season 45 Episode 5
53:15
Decoding the Weather Machine

Decoding the Weather Machine

Season 45 Episode 7
1:53:20
Addiction

Addiction

Season 45 Episode 12
53:45
Thai Cave Rescue

Thai Cave Rescue

Season 45 Episode 14
53:34
Operation Bridge Rescue

Operation Bridge Rescue

Season 45 Episode 16
53:21
Pluto and Beyond

Pluto and Beyond

Season 46 Episode 1
53:30
Einstein's Quantum Riddle

Einstein's Quantum Riddle

Season 46 Episode 2
53:51
Back to Show
NOVA

Creatures of Light

Season 43 Episode 9

On a summer’s night, there’s nothing more magic than watching the soft glow of fireflies switching on and off. Few other life forms on land can light up the night, but in the dark depths of the oceans, it’s a different story: nearly 90% of all species shine from within. Whether it’s to scare off predators, fish for prey, or lure a mate, the language of light is everywhere in the ocean depths.

Watch Preview
Support Provided By
Season
Decoding the Weather Machine
1:53:20
Discover how Earth’s intricate climate system is changing.
Great Escape at Dunkirk
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:15
How courage and ingenuity saved Allied troops during the epic Dunkirk operation in 1940.
Black Hole Apocalypse
53:26
Take a mind-blowing voyage to the most powerful and mysterious objects in the universe.
Bird Brain
53:32
Watch as birds solve puzzles and challenge our basic notions of intelligence.
Building Chernobyl's MegaTomb
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:55
Engineers race to build a massive dome to contain the crumbling remains of the reactor.
Ultimate Cruise Ship
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:09
Join pioneering shipbuilders as they embark on a feat of maritime engineering.
School of the Future
1:53:34
How can the science of learning help us rethink the future of education for all children?
Iceman Reborn
53:32
Watch as Otzi, a 5000-year-old mummy, is brought to life and preserved with 3D modeling.
Inside Einstein's Mind
53:07
Retrace the thought experiments that inspired his theory on the nature of reality.
Making North America: Human
53:41
How has the land shaped our lives, from the arrival of the first Americans to today?
Making North America: Life
53:35
How did massive volcanic eruptions, inland seas, and land bridges pave the way for life?
Making North America: Origins
53:35
Experience the colossal geologic forces that shaped our continent over 3 billion years.
Active loading indicator