The Souls of Magnets
Lodestones are dull, lumpy, and slate-gray, but their “magnetic intelligence” made them fabulously expensive.
The Meaning of Methane on Mars
Curiosity rover's recent report of methane on Mars isn't the first time the gas has been indicated. Does it necessarily mean that Mars harbors life?
Should the Moon Landing Site Be a National Historic Landmark?
Some archaeologists argue it’s essential to preserve the history of lunar exploration. But would it represent a claim of U.S. sovereignty over the moon?
Mount Everest’s Death Zone
The zone above 8,000 meters is known among mountaineers as the “Death Zone.” Why do most deaths in the high mountains occur at these extreme heights?
Controlling a Hurricane
In the mid-20th century, the United States government invested in two major projects designed to control hurricanes by seeding the storm clouds.
Why People Live In Earthquake Zones
Millions of people now live atop fault lines because long ago small communities gathered at fresh water sources.
Why Tornadoes Are So Difficult to Predict
Scientists and weather forecasters have been trying to understand tornadoes for over 100 years, but the average advanced warning is still only 14 minutes.
Lee Smolin: Science Works Because We Care to Know the Truth
Lee Smolin speaks on quantum gravity, the nature of time, the role of ethics in science, and the importance of realism.