Space

Conceptual computer art of superstrings; the superstring theory is a "theory of everything."

The Puzzle Of Quantum Reality

5:37pm March 20, 2018

by Adam Becker

Despite the incredibly accurate predictions of quantum theory, there's a lot of disagreement over what it says about reality — or even whether it says anything at all about it, says guest Adam Becker.

A model of the Tiangong-1 space station at a Chinese airshow in 2010. The real Tiangong-1 will reenter the atmosphere around the end of March.

A Chinese Space Lab Will Soon Fall From The Sky. Where It Lands, No One Knows

4:55pm March 20, 2018

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Most of the Chinese space lab, the size of a city bus, will burn up in the atmosphere, but some debris may survive re-entry.

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NASA Study Finds Astronaut's Genes Changed While In Space

10:05pm March 15, 2018

A study shows that not only do astronaut's genes change in space, but they have the potential to remained changed even months after the astronaut is back on Earth.

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This artist's-concept illustration depicts NASA's Psyche spacecraft which will carry a deep-space laser communications system.

Science

Live High Definition Video From Mars? NASA Is Getting Ready

6:06pm March 14, 2018

by Joe Palca

NASA is building a new space-based laser communication that will allow live, high-definition video from Mars and beyond — something that's not possible with standard radio equipment.

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Science

The Universe According To Albert Einstein: Relativity

3:28pm March 14, 2018

by Marcelo Gleiser

When Einstein, born 139 years ago on Wednesday, came onto the science scene, physics was in crisis. New ideas were badly needed — it was the perfect moment for a trailblazer, says Marcelo Gleiser.

Hawking gives a talk titled "A Brief History of Mine" to workers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on April 9, 2013.

Stephen Hawking, Who Awed Both Scientists And The Public, Dies

9:45am March 14, 2018

by Joe Palca

Hawking was a theoretical physicist who changed how scientists think about gravity. He also wrote the best-selling book A Brief History of Time and lent his machine-aided voice to TV shows. He was 76.

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Astrophysicist Adam Frank says that when it comes to climate change and civilization, we've been asking the wrong question.

Getting Climate Change Right: In Light Of The Stars

11:59am March 09, 2018

by Adam Frank

When it comes to facing global warming, dealing with climate change and making informed choices for our cherished "project of civilization," we've been asking the wrong question, says Adam Frank.

Natalie Portman plays Lena in Alex Garland's Annihilation, a fantasy sci-fi drama based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer.

Science
Arts

Life Hacking Life: The Scary Premise Of 'Annihilation'

12:22pm March 07, 2018

by Marcelo Gleiser

As with Ex Machina, says Marcelo Gleiser, director Alex Garland is sending a warning: We are now hacking life itself and will continue to do so with growing efficiency. Are we creating our own doom?

William Shatner Will Be A Part Of A Real-Life Space Mission

5:54am March 07, 2018

Shatner explored the galaxy as Captain Kirk on Star Trek. This summer, NASA is launching a probe to study the sun and it'll carry a microchip with Shatner's name on it.

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Artist's rendering of how the first stars in the universe may have looked.

Science

Did Dark Matter Make The Early Universe Chill Out?

1:49pm February 28, 2018

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A new study suggests that the early universe got an unexpectedly cold start, and that dark matter may be to blame.