How black holes morphed from theory to reality
PODCAST: Physicists were mostly skeptical back when the idea of them emerged a century ago from Einstein’s work. The evolution of the evidence, from circumstantial to conclusive, is the quintessential story of science.
Jan. 11, 2021 • ~22 min
podcast space-astronomy physical-world
How researchers are making do in the time of Covid
The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered labs and sidelined scientists all over the world. Here’s a look at how some of them have coped.
Dec. 2, 2020 • ~21 min
public-health coronavirus psychology society space-astronomy living-world physical-world the-mind reset special-report-reset
Seeking surprises in comets and asteroids
Exploring small bodies in the solar system provides clues to origins
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~18 min
space-astronomy physical-world
Rodents in space: Keeping bone and muscle strong on the ISS
Researchers helped mice stay mighty with an experiment to counter the effects of microgravity. The gene treatment might also enhance muscle and bone health on Earth — and in humans.
Sept. 7, 2020 • ~6 min
space-astronomy health-disease living-world
Beyond the twilight zone
Tidally locked worlds are places of extremes. On one side it’s an endless day, the other a perpetual night. Yet scientists speculate that some may harbor conditions that could support life.
July 7, 2020 • ~10 min
space-astronomy physical-world
An elemental problem with the sun
For two decades, astronomers have argued over how much carbon, nitrogen and especially oxygen lie within our closest star — a dispute with implications for the entire universe
June 25, 2020 • ~17 min
space-astronomy physical-world
Jupiter revealed
The Juno spacecraft has been circling Jupiter since 2016. Here are four things we’ve learned so far about the biggest planet in the solar system.
June 5, 2020 • ~12 min
space-astronomy physical-world
New projects broaden the search for alien signals from space
A longer list of Earth-like planets, eavesdropping on radio waves and looking for laser light shows: All raise the chances of detecting E.T.
March 3, 2020 • ~11 min
technology space-astronomy living-world physical-world in-review
Physicists probe validity of Einstein’s gravity on cosmic scales
New tests could verify general theory of relativity, or find flaws
Jan. 7, 2020 • ~11 min
space-astronomy physical-world in-review
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