The episode details how as scientists approached this number they created a once hypothetical substance known as a Bose-Einstein condensate.  It takes a significant portion of the hour to explain exactly what this is and how it was achieved, but, in thirty words or less, the condensate is a substance in which all of the atoms are absolutely identical.  There is no way to tell one atom from another in a Bose-Einstein condensate. This change in the behavior of atoms causes the condensate to behave in odd ways that scientists are still grappling with.

In the end, this Nova two-parter is really two distinct shows that need not be tied together.  The first is a basic history of cold and how people began to understand, think about, and harness it.  It looks at numerous missteps along the way as well as what was done right.  It also talks about the practical applications of the cold (the refrigerator, shipping foods across the country, and air conditioning).  The second hour takes the story into the modern day and focuses on the achievement of creating a Bose-Einstein condensate.

The first hour is far more interesting and, not surprisingly, accessible than the second hour.  While great achievements and many practical applications have become possible due to the race for Absolute Zero, the second hour chooses to not focus on them.  Instead it spends its time trying to explain the notion of a Bose-Einstein condensate and how exactly different teams of scientists went about trying to create one.  It is unquestionably a huge scientific triumph, it just does not make for terribly compelling television.

Nova's "Absolute Zero:  The Conquest of Cold" airs Tuesday, January 8 at 8pm, and "Absolute Zero: The Race for Absolute Zero" airs Tuesday, January 15 at 8pm.  You should always check your local listings though just to be sure.  After all, you wouldn't want to be left out in the cold.