Space
Can the Universe Provide Us with the Meaning of Life?
Astronomy and space exploration might offer a new perspective on our purpose in the cosmos
Stories by Abraham Loeb
Physics
The Simple Truth about Physics
Theoretical models can be complex—but the most successful ones are usually not
Policy & Ethics
Essential Advice for Fledgling Scientists
Among other things, practice humility—and remember that nature is the final arbiter of what’s true
Space
What Will We Do When the Sun Gets Too Hot for Earth’s Survival?
A BBC reporter asked. Here’s my answer
Space
Did Life from Earth Escape the Solar System Eons Ago?
There’s no proof that it happened—but it’s not impossible
Policy & Ethics
Science Is Not about Getting More “Likes”
Extraordinary groupthink leads to extraordinary ignorance
Space
The Moon as a Fishing Net for Extraterrestrial Life
Its surface could, in principle, preserve the remains of organisms or even technology from beyond our solar system
Space
The Only Thing That Remains Constant Is Change
What's true for our own lives is also true for the universe
Policy & Ethics
A Scientist Must Go where the Evidence Leads
When our cherished ideas are contradicted by the facts, we must avoid the human tendency to double down on those ideas
Policy & Ethics
Who Should Pay for “Moon Shots”?
The federal government must step up funding of science and technology R&D
Space
It Takes a Village to Declassify an Error Bar
Identifying an interstellar meteorite— ‘Oumuamua’s cousin — required a national-security waiver...
Space
In Search of Green Dwarfs
A new idea in the quest to find life beyond Earth
Policy & Ethics
Should Scientists Keep Their Private Debates Private?
No—the give-and-take that happens behind the scenes is an essential part of the scientific process
Space
'Oumuamua's Cousin?
A search of a meteor-detection archive reveals a possible second interstellar visitor
Policy & Ethics
When Lab Experiments Carry Theological Implications
Efforts to create new life-forms—and new universes—will raise profound questions
Policy & Ethics
How to Keep Scientific Innovation Alive
Thinking outside the box is as important for science as it is for a business start-up
Policy & Ethics
The Humanities and the Future
Our descendants’ lives will be intertwined with advanced technologies—and that will revitalize non-technological disciplines such as philosophy
Space
Living Near a Supermassive Black Hole
It would pose some dangers, of course—but it could also be fun!
Space
Are We Really the Smartest Kid on the Cosmic Block?
It’s unlikely, and if we keep thinking otherwise, we might be missing some important clues about the existence of extraterrestrial life
Space
Be Kind to Extraterrestrials
We need to tread lightly if we encounter alien ecosystems
