Earth Science
Is Climate Change Strengthening El Niño?
New research on Pacific corals that trace climate patterns back 7,000 years shows how recent El Niños compare with those of the past
January 09, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
Your Phone Could Make You Into a Thunderstorm Predicting Machine
Some Android phones have barometers, and scientists want to use your observations to predict the weather
January 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
This Is What a Watery Mars May Have Looked Like
Mars once had a vast ocean. What would that have looked like?
January 03, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Arctic Offshore Drilling Still Going Poorly As Shell’s Rig Runs Aground
The recent mishap is part of a string of troubles that Shell has encountered in its efforts to drill in the frigid Gulf
January 02, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Smithsonian Heads to Hawaii
Coral reefs and radio telescopes make a trip to the tropics more than worthwhile
January 2013 |
By G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Remember These Titans of Science Who Died in 2012
From the inventor of the barcode to the discoverer of how cancer spreads, we take a look at the brilliant minds who shaped our culture and modern way of life
December 29, 2012 |
By Mohi Kumar
Seven Must-See Art-Meets-Science Exhibitions in 2013
Preview some of the top-notch shows—on anatomy, bioluminescence, water tanks and more—slated for the next year
December 28, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
5 Science Stories to Watch in 2013
The new year could feature discoveries of life within subglacial Antarctic lakes, the brightest comet in generations and more
December 28, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
This Is What the End of All Time Looks Like
Feel like having your tiny human mind blown? Check out predictions for the next 10^10^10^76.66 years
December 28, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Antarctica’s Subglacial Lake Ellsworth Will Keep Its Secrets For Now
After a decade of planning, and two weeks in the field, the Lake Ellsworth drilling program was cancelled for the year
December 27, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Canada And the United States Are Bickering Over Ownership of a Tiny Island
A tiny island with little more than a lighthouse and some puffins is the center of a border disagreement
December 26, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Think Apple Maps Are Bad? These Cartographics Blunders Were Way Worse
If you think Apple messed up big time, think again. The history of map making is full of far worse blunders
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Most Arctic Animals Should Deal With Climate Change Just Fine
New research suggests that most Arctic mammals will actually be helped, not hurt, by climate change
December 21, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
How Will Life on Earth Survive the Actual Apocalypse?
What will life be like for the last holdouts during the actual end of the world?
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Sustainable Meat of the Future: Mealworms?
Mealworms might seem unpalatable to many, but a new study indicates that they might be the climate-friendly protein alternative of the future
December 19, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Ten Best Ocean Stories of 2012
From deep-sea squid habits to vanishing coral reefs, here are the ocean stories we couldn’t stop talking about this year.
December 18, 2012 |
By Hannah Waters
Prolonged Drought Could Shut Down Shipping on the Mighty Mississippi
This time last year the Mississippi around St. Louis was 20 feet deeper
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Nimbus Clouds: Mysterious, Ephemeral and Now Indoors
Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde has found a way to create clouds in gallery spaces. In the seconds before they dissipate, he captures beautiful photographs
December 18, 2012 |
By Claire Tinsley
Entire Microbe Communities Live Up in the Clouds
Thousands of feet above your head, microbes are living—and reproducing—in the tiny drops of water that make up clouds
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
