Saturn’s ocean moon Enceladus is able to support life − my research team is working out how to detect extraterrestrial cells there

Saturn’s moon Enceladus has geysers shooting tiny grains of ice into space. These grains could hold traces of life − but researchers need the right tools to tell.

Fabian Klenner, Postdoctoral Scholar in Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington • conversation
April 17, 2024 ~8 min

How is snow made? An atmospheric scientist describes the journey of frozen ice crystals from clouds to the ground

There are an infinite number of paths an ice crystal can take before you touch it.

Alexandria Johnson, Professor of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University • conversation
Feb. 26, 2024 ~6 min


How can I get ice off my car? An engineer who studies airborne particles shares some quick and easy techniques

When you’re running late in the winter, you don’t want to have to spend time scraping frost off your windshield. Try some expert-recommended techniques instead.

Suresh Dhaniyala, Bayard D. Clarkson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University • conversation
Feb. 2, 2024 ~5 min

Ice storms, January downpours, heavy snow, no snow: Diagnosing ‘warming winter syndrome’

As the climate changes and weather warms, the freezing line is shifting, bringing rain and ice to regions not prepared for it.

Richard B. (Ricky) Rood, Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan • conversation
Jan. 25, 2024 ~8 min

Tahoe avalanches: What causes innocent-looking snow slopes to collapse? A physicist and skier explains, with tips for surviving

A deadly avalanche at Palisades Tahoe, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, shows the risk as snow layers melt and new snow falls.

Nathalie Vriend, Associate Professor of Thermo Fluid Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 ~8 min

Tahoe avalanche: What causes seemingly safe snow slopes to collapse? A physicist and avid skier explains

A deadly avalanche at Palisades Tahoe, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, shows the risk as snow layers melt and new snow falls.

Nathalie Vriend, Associate Professor of Thermo Fluid Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 ~7 min

Privatised Moon landings: the two US missions set to open a new era of commercial lunar exploration

The Peregrine and Nova-C landers are due to carry out valuable science at two diverse lunar locations.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 2, 2024 ~8 min

Comets 101 − everything you need to know about the snow cones of space

There’s a flurry of excitement every time a comet comes into view from Earth. But what are these celestial objects, and where do they come from?

Shannon Schmoll, Director of the Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University • conversation
Oct. 11, 2023 ~8 min


Glacial lake outburst floods in Alaska and the Himalayas show evolving hazards in a warming world

Alaska has at least 120 glacier-dammed lakes, and almost all have drained at least once since 1985, a new study shows. Small ones have been producing larger floods in recent years.

Brianna Rick, Postdoctoral Fellow, Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, University of Alaska Anchorage • conversation
Oct. 9, 2023 ~8 min

Meltwater is hydro-fracking Greenland’s ice sheet through millions of hairline cracks – destabilizing its internal structure

Glaciologists are discovering new ways surface meltwater alters the internal structure of ice sheets, and raising an alarm that sea level rise could be much more abrupt than current models forecast.

Alun Hubbard, Professor of Glaciology, Arctic Five Chair, University of Tromsø • conversation
June 29, 2023 ~11 min

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