A Brief History of the Muses
Scholar Alison Habens tells us more about the Greek goddesses who provided divine inspiration for ancient poets.
Ghost of the Forest: Monotropa uniflora
Look for this other-worldly plant in moist, shaded areas of mature forests throughout much of North America, East Asia, and northern South America.
NASA’s Europa Clipper
The spacecraft will investigate whether an icy moon of Jupiter can support alien life.
“Follow the Salt”: A New Strategy for Finding Life on Mars
Scientists might be looking for Martian life in the wrong place.
Did Romans Really Fight Rhinos?
A sports historian explains the truth behind the battle scenes in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II.
Cloves: The Spice that Enriched Empires
Behind one humble spice lies a complex history of empires and profit, commodities and globalization.
Snowball Earth
How scientists discovered that unique Scottish rocks record when Earth was first encased in ice.
Astronomers Have Warned against Colonial Practices in the Space Industry
A philosopher of science explains how the industry could explore other planets without exploiting them.