Jupiter with moons, Europa and Io.

The Art of Observing Weather on Distant Planets

Exoplanetary meteorology enables scientists to determine weather patterns on planets too far for direct observation. 
Visualization of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.

General Relativity 100 Years On

Einstein's groundbreaking theory of general relativity has remained an essential hallmark of modern physics.
Drawing of the appendix, labeled as vermiform process at lower right.

Reconsidering the Role of the Appendix

Recent research has found that the appendix is far from useless, as previously understood.
Nazca lines, Saudi Arabia Photo Credit: Google Earth

The Strange Geometric Shapes Scattered Across the Middle East

Like the Nazca lines of Peru, a strange series of shapes have been found in the Middle East. New research has tried to understand their purpose.
Goats at Dalkey Island

The Curious Case of Island-Dwelling Goats

Island ecosystems are precious, precarious beasts, easily overwhelmed by nature's hardiest predator: goats.
Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings. Photo credit: Neal Peters Collection

Were Hobbits Real?

New research suggests that a distinct species, dubbed "hobbits", existed between 17,000 and 95,000 years ago.
Nebula

I ❤ Physics: A Love Story

I could not bring myself to accept string theory’s claim, often presented as a scientific fact, that there are exactly 11 dimensions.
Mute swans

Are Mute Swans a Harmful Invasive Species?

Mute swans are the poster child for a harmful species protected by strong public goodwill.
Extreme ultraviolet light streams out of an X-class solar flare

The Threat of Solar Flares

Solar flares are highly unpredictable and difficult to anticipate. But their threat is very real.
North American Nebula

The Search For Antimatter

Physicists, in recent years, have been trying to find evidence of antimatter in the universe. Its existence could overturn the Big Bang theory.