Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis

Dive into how Earth’s weirdest microbes could help us spot extraterrestrial life.

Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis NOVA

Premiered November 04, 2025
Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis

Marine biologist Peter Girguis thinks they might both hold clues to finding life beyond Earth. In this episode, he joins Hakeem for a journey from the ocean floor to outer space, sharing stories from his dives aboard the Alvin submersible and exploring how Earth’s most extreme lifeforms could help us find the first ETs.

About the Program

NOVA

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.

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