When it comes to space, Hubble was the big thing. That is, until the James Webb Space Telescope, a massive project that when it is launched in October 2018 will allow scientists see beyond our galaxy to other solar systems.
The process of its building over a decade so far is chronicled in the two part documentary “Telescope” (Discovery, 9 p.m.). And it is quite a process, involving building the largest mirror ever built, and one that has to be folded in order to be launched in space, and one that has to be shielded from harsh temperatures once its there to do its job. Its director is Nathaniel Kahn, whose most famous documentary was one about his famous father, Louis Kahn, “My Architect.”
Election results come in from two different races, from the Republican primary in South Carolina and the Democratic primary in Nevada on cable news specials like “America’s Choice 2016” (CNN, 8 p.m.). For more American history, the Funeral Mass (CSPAN, 11 a.m.) for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is broadcast from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Can gummy bears be used as rocket fuel? “MythBusters” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) discovers.
Josie Bissett of “Melrose Place,” portrays a wife who finds out her husband’s teenage mistress (Zoe De Grand Maison) is pregnant in the TV movie “Pregnant at 17” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), the latest in the network’s burgeoning “at 17” series.
It’s easy to see what influenced the three-part “Serial Thriller” (Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.), a three part story about missing students and hitchhikers in California in 1972. It plays out over the course of one night.
Those darn shapeshifting aliens bedevil “Doctor Who” (BBC, 9 p.m.) with the Zygons.
Weird to have a Saturday night NASCAR preshow in prime time, but it is Saturday. So here’s “Jeff Gordon’s Daytona 500 Preview Party” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Garrick’s daughter Mara takes ill on “Beowulf” (Esquire, 10 p.m.).
Catch up on the entirety of “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX, 8 p.m.) which replay its first three episodes.
A particularly low class night on HBO when last year’s “Magic Mike XXL” (HBO, 9 p.m.) preceded by “the original “Magic Mike” (HBO, 7 p.m.). Similarly “Ghostbusters” (IFC, 8 p.m.) is followed by “Ghostbusters II” (IFC, 10:15 p.m.).
Creed lead singer Scott Stapp, Brandi Chasten and Heather Mills end up on “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” (OWN, 10 p.m.).
Did you miss the Grammy Awards (Pop, 7 p.m.) last Sunday? They’re on again.
Good time to catch this week’s replay of “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 11 p.m.).
This far into Turner Movie Classics’ 31 Days of Oscar, there is “No Way Out” (8 p.m.), “Judgment at Nuremberg” (10 p.m.), “Seven Days in May” (1:15 a.m.) and “Anthony Adverse” (3:30 a.m.).
Whole lot of men’s college hoops today starts in the morning with Memphis at South Florida (ESPNU, 11 a.m.) and continues with Xavier at Georgetown (Fox, noon), Georgia at Vanderbilt (ESPN2, noon), Duke at Louisville (ESPN, noon), St. Bonaventure at Dayton (NBC Sports, noon), Miami at North Carolina (CBS, 1 p.m.), Army at Navy (CBS Sports, 1:30 p.m.), Baylor at Texas (ESPN, 2 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Syracuse (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Saint Joe’s at Davidson (NBC Sports, 2 p.m.), Butler at Villanova (Fox, 2:30 p.m.), Oklahoma at West Virginia (ESPN, 4 p.m.), Connecticut at Cincinnati (ESPN2, 4 p.m.), Illinois State at Northern Iowa (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.), LSU at Tennessee (ESPNU, 5:30 p.m.), Kansas at Kansas State (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), Louisiana Tech at Texas El Paso (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Kentucky at Texas A&M (ESPN, 6:30 p.m.), TCU at Iowa State (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.), Notre Dame at Georgia Tech (ESPN2, 8 p.m.), Purdue at Indiana (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.), Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.), Nevada at UNLV (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.), St. Mary’s at Gonzaga (ESPN2, 10 p.m.), Colorado at UCLA (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.) and Hawaii at UC Irvine (ESPNU, 11:30 p.m.).
In women’s games, it’s Connecticut at East Carolina (CBS Sports, 8 pm.).
NBA action includes Golden State at Clippers (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) in a prime time showcase.
A new season starts for “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 11 p.m.) with the 2015 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame featuring Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakum, Vince Gill, Gillian Welch and Jason Isbell saluting Loretta Lynn, Asleep at the Wheel, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Flaco Jimenez.
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) is a repeat from earlier this year with Adam Driver and Chris Stapleton. The repeat at 10 p.m. from 2000 is hosted by Rob Lowe and Dido.