Exploring the possibility of parallel universes, as never before.

A look at how the outer skin of the planet preserves and enriches life on Earth; new insights into Earth's largely unknown interior.

The history of the formation of the world's largest freshwater lake system reveals many mysteries surrounding the geological phenomenon.

The mystery of where water comes from or how it arrived on Earth.

The Grand Canyon poses many geological puzzles.

The differences between the Northern and Southern Rockies.

Scientific discoveries of events from the largest known volcanic eruption to a mega-flood reveal insights on the creation of America's most iconic landscapes.

Exploring deep ocean trenches is challenging and rewarding.

250 million years in the future, Earth has one giant land mass -- a supercontinent of vast and arid deserts, surrounded by a global super ocean packing terrifying storms.

Events lead to the formation of the solar system.

When the bones of an ancient child are found in Morocco, a team seeks answers as to their origin.

The Hubble Space Telescope helps to deepen understanding of one's place in the cosmos.

Scientists conduct experiments to gain insight into how the universe evolved and whether comets are capable of wiping out life as we know it.

Physicists discuss the possibility of time travel, which many believe is inevitable.

The sudden release of built-up magnetic energy in the solar atmosphere -- a solar storm -- affects Earth.

Scientists study likely places in the solar system where alien life might be found.

The sun may help to save the Earth from man-made global warming.

Scientists study the characteristics of Earth's planetary neighbors to explore the possibility of colonizing alien environments.

From the award-winning team of filmmaker Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan") and producer Jane Root ("America the Story of Us"), this 10-part cinematic event series explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth -- one of the most peculiar, unique places in the universe. Host Will Smith guides viewers on an unprecedented exploration, bolstered by an elite group of eight astronauts who provide unique perspectives and relate personal memoirs of the planet seen from a distance. Hourlong episodes delve into monumental events such as genesis, cosmic violence, human intelligence and alien life, oxygen, and survival vs. destruction.

This award-winning series presents compelling untold stories and covers a wide array of provocative subjects. "Explorer" aired for 25 years -- the longest-running documentary series in cable TV history -- before being relaunched in 2015 after a five-year hiatus. Each monthly episode of the new "Explorer" takes a similar deep dive inside a story from the pages of a recent National Geographic magazine issue, taking viewers not only to the most remote corners of the globe but also to the furthest reaches of the mind and deepest crevices of history -- on urgent missions of discovery.

Actor Kal Penn is producer/host of a series that attempts to explain how things like money, sex, food, sports and crime influence daily lives. The consequences are shown by analyzing data maps, and episodes investigate different themes through data mapping, creative visualization of information and in-depth personal stories involving fascinating characters. As well, documentary vignettes tell stories that personalize the number crunching, introducing real people who live and work at key intersections of each theme being explored. Penn serves as guide, making the information relatable to viewers.

Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer put their storytelling acumen to work as executive producers of "Breakthrough," a series of hourlong documentaries highlighting the stories, people, and technology behind the world's most cutting-edge scientific innovations. After considering more than 100 scientific topics for the series, the pair -- helped by National Geographic archives and research, along with the scientific resources of partner GE -- selected biotechnology, neuroscience, anti-aging technology, alternative energy, water conservation, and global pandemics. Each episode is directed by a prominent Hollywood star -- Howard himself helms "The Age of Aging," joining actors Angela Bassett ("Water Apocalypse") and Paul Giamatti ("More Than Human"), directors Peter Berg ("Fighting Pandemics") and Brett Ratner ("Decoding the Brain"), and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman ("Energy From the Edge").

Advanced computer graphics, forensic science, eyewitness accounts, interviews with experts, archival footage and re-enactments piece together in great detail the events that led to some of the biggest disasters of modern time.

Rituals and customs accepted in one culture may be thought of as downright bizarre in another. "Taboo" delves into that dichotomy, taking viewers across cultural borders to explore traditional beliefs and deliberate lifestyle choices, ranging from body modification and gender decisions to nudity and spiritual quests that test the limits of the human body.

Julia Child melded TV and food 50 or so years ago. Now with scads of celebrity chefs, cooking shows, and networks devoted to it, cuisine is even more popular. National Geographic Channel's six-hour miniseries salutes its history, science and culture. Each episode tackles a central theme: revolutionaries, meat, sugar, seafood, junk food, and grains -- with stories and reflections by a smorgasbord of chefs, authors, scientists, etc. Interviewees include Padma Lakshmi, Nigella Lawson, Simon Majumdar, Rachael Ray, Marcus Samuelsson, Anna Boiardi and Graham Elliot.

"Lockdown" plunges viewers headfirst into life in the "big house," the gritty underworld of America's maximum-security prisons, where gangs are prevalent, predators stalk their next prey and inmates are armed with deadly weapons. But prison officials have their own weapons in the form of modern surveillance and old-time isolation -- plus steel batons and pepper spray -- to help keep the peace in these miniature war zones.

Host Tim Shaw takes science out of the lab and onto the streets of America as he looks to amaze and dumbfound in equal measure. The irreverent "game show" offers the people Shaw meets -- and viewers -- the chance to predict the outcomes of a series of increasingly spectacular experiments, and once correct answers are revealed, the science behind each probe is explained. With explosive results and shattering conclusions, Shaw reveals the effect of everyday science on the world around us.