On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe
by Lisa Randall
HarperCollins, 2015 (($29.99))
Exotic entities such as dark matter—the invisible material thought to make up about 27 percent of the universe—do not seem to have any direct impact on our lives here on Earth. But physicist Randall pokes a hole in that notion by proposing that a rogue disk of weird dark matter might have been responsible for aiming the comet that scientists suspect hit Earth and killed our planet's dinosaurs 66 million years ago. To examine the plausibility of that scenario, Randall's book traverses many scientific fields, including chemistry, planetary science and cosmology. Guided by her theory about the dinosaurs' demise, the author explores the often unappreciated connections between the tiniest particles right under our noses and the vastest structures that rule the universe. (Randall serves on the magazine's board of advisers.)
Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber
