Is there any physical evidence that Noah's Ark existed - or that there may have been life on Mars before Earth? Explorer Josh Bernstein attempts to answer these plus other big questions in his new television series.

Mr Bernstein, 37, is the host of the Discovery Channel's Into the Unknown, which explores aspects of the universe from ancient archaeology to modern science. The series's eight shows are based on his trips to some of the world's most exotic and remote places, including Papua New Guinea, Timbuktu and the Andes. He flew 130,000 miles and visited 15 countries for the series, which is currently showing in the US and will be screened in the UK early next year.

Does he have a favourite episode? "Exploring the cure of the Peruvian mummies in Papua New Guinea," the American says. A former presenter on the History Channel, he tells People: "We wanted to create a show that would appeal to old and new fans. It's for enthusiastic people, who want to learn. TV is a great medium for feeling history."

In one episode, Mr Bernstein ventures to the "Clean Room" at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, California. "It's where JPL and NASA engineers are assembling the next Mars lander. Access to the room is highly restricted. The crew had to film from an observation deck while I went through the process of putting on a ‘bunny suit' walking through an air shower to remove all possible contaminants. Thankfully, I was able to sterilise my small, personal camera so we have some footage."

Graduating in anthropology and psychology, Mr Bernstein spent a year in Jerusalem studying mysticism and ancient texts.

He is president and chief executive of BOSS, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School. He is also a professional photographer and an active member of the Explorers Club, the Royal Geographical Society, and the American Museum of Natural History.

He divides his time between his Utah yurt - a round, canvas shelter created by the nomadic people of Mongolia - and his apartment in New York.