Watch Prophesies of Doomsday

Name: Prophesies of Doomsday
Genre: History
Released: October 22, 2009

2009
1 Season

Prophesies of Doomsday is a gripping television series that explores the history and potential for catastrophic events that could potentially end life on Earth as we know it. Produced by A&E and released in 2009, this six-part series uses interviews with experts, dramatic reenactments, historical anecdotes, and insightful scientific analysis to explore five different scenarios for how the end of the world could come to pass. From massive volcanic eruptions to deadly pandemics to devastating asteroid impacts, this show takes viewers on a thrilling journey through some of the most catastrophic events that humanity has ever faced, and shines a light on the ways that we can prepare for what may come in the future.

The first episode of Prophesies of Doomsday explores the potential for a massive asteroid impact to bring about the end of life on Earth. From theories about the extinction of the dinosaurs to dramatic simulations of what would happen if a massive asteroid were to hit our planet today, this episode is packed with insights from experts in astronomy, geology, and climate science. Using cutting-edge computer graphics and real-world examples of near misses from space, the show explores how even a relatively small asteroid could cause massive damage, and what techniques scientists are developing to detect and deflect potential threats.

The second episode of the series shifts focus to the threat of deadly pandemics, using historical examples like the Spanish Flu of 1918 as a window into how quickly contagious diseases can spread and wreak havoc on societies. This episode features interviews with experts in epidemiology and infectious disease, as well as gripping reenactments of some of the most devastating outbreaks in history. From the Black Death to H5N1 bird flu, this episode paints a vivid picture of the potential for a deadly epidemic to bring the world to its knees.

The third episode of Prophesies of Doomsday explores the potential for massive solar storms to wreak havoc on Earth's electrical grids and communication systems. Using real-world examples of past solar storms and insights from experts in space weather, this episode takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the science of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. From the potential for widespread power outages to the dangers posed to astronauts in space, this episode shines a light on the ways that we rely on technology that could be quickly taken away by the whims of the sun.

The fourth episode of the series dives deep into the potential for massive volcanic eruptions to cause widespread destruction and disrupt climate patterns around the globe. From the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius to the devastating effects of the Tambora eruption in 1815, this episode uses historical examples to illustrate the ways that volcanic eruptions can change the course of human history. Experts in geology, climate science, and emergency management weigh in on the potential for future eruptions to cause widespread devastation, and explore the measures that can be taken to mitigate the impact of these natural disasters.

The fifth episode of Prophesies of Doomsday explores the potential for a collapse of the world's financial systems to bring about the end of civilization as we know it. This episode takes a sobering look at the history of financial collapses, from the tulip bubble in 17th century Holland to the more recent 2008 financial crisis. Using interviews with experts in economics and finance, as well as historical examples and dramatic reenactments, the show explores how fragile our systems of finance can be and what steps can be taken to prepare for the worst.

Finally, the sixth and final episode of the series explores the potential for global climate change to bring about the end of the world as we know it. This episode looks at the ways that greenhouse gas emissions are altering the planet's climate and explores the potential for more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and the collapse of ecosystems. Experts in climate science and ecology weigh in on the potential for future climate-related disasters and explore the measures that can be taken to mitigate these effects and create a more sustainable future for humanity.

Overall, Prophesies of Doomsday is a gripping and thought-provoking series that explores some of the most catastrophic events that could potentially end life on Earth as we know it. Through the use of expert interviews, historical examples, and gripping reenactments, the show serves as both a cautionary tale and a roadmap for how we can prepare for what may come in the future. For anyone interested in the science of disaster and the potential ways that humanity could meet its end, Prophesies of Doomsday is a must-watch series that is sure to captivate and inform.

Prophesies of Doomsday is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on October 22, 2009.

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Seasons

12. The Other Nostradamus

He predicted WWII, the deaths of US Presidents, and the turmoil of the 1960s. He prophesied that Israel would become a state 15 years before the event and foretold the Great Depression. Many of his visions seemed to pass unfulfilled, but are now proven accurate. His name is Edgar Cayce, and to many, he's known as the other Nostradamus. Throughout the 1930s and '40s, Cayce was a well-known American figure, reputed for his "healing abilities" as well as his prophecies. Cayce's predictions are documented in the transcriptions of his readings, which he gave until his death in 1945. Join us as we examine his life and prophecies.

11. First Apocalypse

Sixty five million years ago dinosaurs were wiped off the face of Earth. Over the years there have been a number of theories as to why, and for the last three decades it has been thought that the cause was an asteroid impact in Mexico. Now, some scientists believe that a giant volcano in India was the culprit, as well as other environmental factors. Either way, many agree that the demise of the dinosaurs could not have been a simple story of a single impact event, followed by complete extinction. It is believed by many that a complex interaction of events combined to fulfill a fate many thousands of years in the making.

10. Comets: Prophets of Doom

Comets--these celestial travelers have forever filled us with fear and wonder. Lurking in the furthest reaches of our solar system, they come close to Earth as they orbit our Sun. Could something as destructive as comets hold the key to life? Are the building blocks of carbon-based life forms frozen inside? Might they contain information about the creation of our solar system? At the conclusion of two spectacular NASA missions that sent spaceships to rendezvous with these mysterious objects, we examine the scientific and historical record of comets, including man's reaction to them. Did a comet lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem? Did they foretell the death of kings, the destruction of civilizations? How did Halley's Comet provide Isaac Newton with the clues for his theories of gravity? Finally, what comprises this "dirty snowball" and how can we protect ourselves if headed on a collision-course with one?

9. The Doomsday Clock

Developed in 1947 as an image to symbolize urgency in the Cold War and the threat of nuclear disaster, the mission of the Doomsday Clock has expanded to include non-nuclear global security issues. Maintained by the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, it's based at the University of Chicago. In response to world events, they move the clock's minute hand closer to or away from midnight--doomsday. In this hour, we cover the clock's history, its effectiveness, and its critics.

8. Seven Signs of the Apocalypse

The Seven Signs are clear: We will be struck by deadly plagues, famines and earthquakes... The sky will turn dark and oceans will turn to blood... And the antichrist will emerge to fight the final battle between good and evil. Could this all be true? Experts decode this powerful prophecy and come to a startling conclusion: there is now scientific evidence that many of these catastrophes could, in fact, be occurring. A star falling from the sky could be one of thousands of rogue asteroids that may be approaching earth. The plague foretold in the Bible could be a deadly strain of avian virus that researchers fear could kill millions. Oceans turning blood red could be triggered by microorganisms that release dangerous neurotoxins that have the same effect as nerve gas. To reveal the ultimate truth behind the prophecy, this investigation will turn to the past to reveal why the prophecy was written, and why it keeps such a powerful hold on our imagination today.

7. The Next Nostradamus

Two men sharing startling visions of the future possess distinctly different backgrounds: Michel de Nostradamus was a French apothecary and healer in the 16th century; he would become the most famous seer in history. His 21st century counterpart is Dr. Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, a renowned political scientist who teaches game theory at New York University and Stanford. While Nostradamus looked to the stars and mysticism to divine his apocalyptic revelations, Dr. Bueno de Mesquita relies on the most omnipotent tool ever designed by man to predict future events: the computer. This special explores not only the commonalities of these men's visions about World War III, famine and the coming of the Anti-Christ, but it also traces the evolution from mysticism to hard math, and determines whether science has always existed in prophecy, manifesting itself in different forms through the ages.

6. Lost Book of Nostradamus

In 1994, Italian journalist Enza Massa was at the Italian National Library in Rome when she stumbled upon an unusual find. It was a manuscript dating to 1629, titled: Nostradamus Vatinicia Code. Michel de Notredame, the author's name, was on the inside in indelible ink. The book contains cryptic and bizarre images along with over eighty watercolor paintings by the master visionary himself. Follow the investigative trail of how the manuscript was found in the archives and exactly how it got there. New insight is given into the life of Nostradamus and his relationship with Pope Urban VIII, who knew about this manuscript and in whose possession it was for many years.

5. Nostradamus 2012

Nostradamus: 2012 begins where the Lost Book of Nostradamus left off ... with a series of seven strange drawings that have been interpreted to point to either an apocalyptic event, or a catastrophic shift, tied to the 2012 time period. At the heart of the 2012 phenomenon are the mysterious Maya, amazingly gifted astronomers who for some unknown reason chose to end their famously accurate Long Count calendar on December 21, 2012. It is the theory of respected Mayan scholar John Major Jenkins that the Maya targeted this date because it is when an extremely rare galactic alignment occurs. During this alignment, from the Earth's perspective, the sun appears to rise exactly in the dark center of the Milky Way galaxy. Though this alignment allegedly transpires only once every 26,000 years, its occurrence is thought to trigger significant change on our planet, though just what that change will be ... whether disastrous or beneficial, remains the object of intense speculation. Nostradamus: 2012 examines some of the most far reaching and fascinating cultures from around the globe to see if they, too, left prophecies regarding the 2012 time period. In addition, this program explores the possibility that the myriad critical crises facing the world today, from global warming to extreme solar activity, are actually tied to the alignment, and the rapidly approaching end date of December 21, 2012.

4. More Doomsday Tech

In this second hour of Doomsday Tech, we look at more of the threats-both natural and manmade-that may endanger civilization. From the reaches of space to tiny viruses inside our bodies, the sources of doomsday are many. But so are the technologies used to keep doomsday at bay. We begin with killers from space. Not little green men, but mile-wide chunks of rock traveling at 36,000 miles per hour: asteroids. Asteroids of significant size have hit the Earth before, and they will hit it again with planet devastating intensity. In fact, a series of close calls in the past several years have prompted an acceleration of the world's asteroid hunting programs. We'll meet some of the world's foremost asteroid hunters, from NASA and JPL, who will show us the Near Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program. We'll not only check out the telescopes and enormous digital cameras used to track the asteroids; we'll examine the methods being developed to nudge or destroy an asteroid that sets its sights on Earth.

3. Doomsday Tech

Modern Marvels: Doomsday Tech looks at the technological threats to human civilization, as well as the technology that may one day save us. The doomsday threats range from very real ... (our nuclear arsenals) ...to controversial (global warming caused by fossil fuels) ... to futuristic: nanotechnology, cyborgs, and robots. Despite the end of the Cold War, we still live very much under the shadow of nuclear weapons. The U.S. and Russia still have enough warheads on hair-trigger alert to end human civilization as we know it, even as Pakistan and India embark on a new arms race. We'll look at the potential for accidental launches, and examine near-disasters that have happened before. We'll also look at the nuclear threat in the age of terrorism. From Russia to China to the American heartland, safeguarding the raw material for nuclear weapons is a deadly serious task. We will look at the techniques used to keep plutonium and highly enriched uranium out of the wrong hands. And we'll see the technology used in turning nuclear swords into plowshares: dismantling a warhead and converting its deadly fuel into electric power for homes and industry. Doomsday Tech then takes on an even more heated topic: global warming, fossil fuels, and the connection between them. We'll look at the Age of Oil, and see how dependent we are on cheap fossil fuels for everything from food production to plastics... and of course, the cars we drive to work everyday. We'll see why there's more carbon in the atmosphere today than there was when dinosaurs walked the earth, and look at the technology used by scientists to measure just how warm global warming has become. We'll examine two very possible doomsday scenarios: a global economic breakdown when oil begins to run out, and a global climate catastrophe that could threaten human civilization. A sudden, new Ice Age is even possible. Then we'll see the technology that may save us from such a grim fate. We'll see how carbon emissions can be captured and buried deep below the earth. Most importantly, we'll look to the future of energy: hydrogen, solar, wind power, nuclear, natural gas, and maybe the return of the ultimate doomsday technology--- the atom-to provide clean, limitless power in the form of controlled fusion.

2. Mayan Doomsday Prophecy

The world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012! The ancient Maya made this stunning prediction more than 2,000 years ago. We'll peel back the layers of mystery and examine in detail how the Maya calculated the exact date of doomsday. Journey back to the ancient city of Chichen Itza, the hub of Maya civilization deep in the heart of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, to uncover the truth about this prophecy. The Maya were legendary astronomers and timekeepers--their calendar is more accurate than our own. By tracking the stars and planets they assigned great meaning to astronomical phenomena and made extraordinary predictions based on them--many of which have come true. Could their doomsday prophecy be one of them? In insightful interviews archaeologists, astrologers, and historians speculate on the meaning of the 2012 prophecy. Their answers are as intriguing as the questions.

1. Doomsday 2012

It is a doomsday that is foretold in The Mayan Calendar... the Chinese oracle of the I Ching... even an internet-based prophetic software program:...December 21st, 2012. Is there any truth to the prophecy that the world will end on that specific date? And why do so many oracles throughout history seem to point to that same dreaded doomsday? DOOMSDAY 2012 is an hour-long documentary that examines prophecies and oracles from around the world... that all seem to point to the year 2012. The date appears again and again -- in the ancient Mayan Calendar - more accurate than our own... in the medieval predictions of the wizard Merlin - forgotten for centuries... in the Chinese I Ching - possibly the oldest text in existence. And a new technology called "The Web-Bot Project" makes massive scans of the internet as a means of forecasting the future... and has turned up the same dreaded date: 2012.

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Where to Watch Prophesies of Doomsday

Prophesies of Doomsday is available for streaming on the A&E website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Prophesies of Doomsday on demand at Apple TV.