Space & PhysicsNovember 5, 2009
Tweak Gravity: What If There Is No Dark Matter?
Modifications to the theory of gravity could account for observational discrepancies, but not without introducing other complications
Stories by John Matson
John Matson is a former reporter and editor for Scientific American who has written extensively about astronomy and physics.
Space & PhysicsNovember 3, 2009
Emission Impossible?: Is Dark Matter Behind the Hazy Radiation at the Milky Way's Center?
Some unknown astrophysical process, perhaps related to dark matter, may be at work
The SciencesNovember 1, 2009
Beyond North and South: Evidence for Magnetic Monopoles
A sighting, of sorts, of separate north-south magnetic poles
Space & PhysicsOctober 30, 2009
Parachute failure before splashdown left Ares 1-X booster badly dinged
EvolutionOctober 29, 2009
Controversial caterpillar-evolution study formally rebutted
Space & PhysicsOctober 28, 2009
NASA's Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off successfully
Space & PhysicsOctober 28, 2009
Astronomical Artifact: Most Distant Object Yet Detected Carries Clues from Early Universe
A stellar explosion spotted in April took place 13 billion years ago
Space & PhysicsOctober 27, 2009
Weather, stray cargo ship and stuck cover conspire to postpone NASA's Ares 1-X test launch
The SciencesOctober 27, 2009
Polarized Peepers: Crustacean's Eyes Surpass Man-Made Optical Devices in Manipulating Light
A species of mantis shrimp, thanks to a unique eye structure, can perceive light that is circularly polarized
The SciencesOctober 26, 2009
What Galileo and Scientific American have in common: Honored Italian heritage
The SciencesOctober 21, 2009
Allegations of spying and links to terrorism land scientists in hot water
The SciencesOctober 21, 2009
Happy (25 x 3 - 1)th birthday to Martin Gardner
Space & PhysicsOctober 21, 2009
Galileo's Contradiction: The Astronomer Who Riled the Inquisition Fathered 2 Nuns
A Q&A with author Dava Sobel
The SciencesOctober 20, 2009
Researchers Create an Electromagnetic "Black Hole" the Size of a Salad Plate
A collection of metamaterial rings efficiently absorbs microwave radiation the way black holes gobble up matter and light, and an optical-light analogue may not be far behind
Space & PhysicsOctober 19, 2009
Dozens of discoveries vault known exoplanet tally over 400
The SciencesOctober 15, 2009
Mathematician sees a Yankees-Dodgers World Series, but don't pop that bubbly yet
The SciencesOctober 14, 2009
Exotic Quasicrystal Structures May Be More Normal Than Assumed
Different nanoparticles can self-assemble into complex quasicrystal arrangements
Space & PhysicsOctober 8, 2009
Target Audience: NASA's Friday Moon Crash Offers Plenty of Opportunities for Amateur Viewing
The LCROSS probe and a spent rocket stage will each impact a lunar crater to look for frozen water there
Space & PhysicsOctober 7, 2009
Astronomers Discover Solar System's Largest Planetary Ring Yet around Saturn [Update]
A diffuse, newfound ring encircles the gas giant planet at an extraordinary distance
TechnologyOctober 6, 2009
Nobel Prize in Physics Goes to Pioneer in Fiber Optics and Inventors of Digital Image Sensor [Update]
The three researchers paved the way for broadband telecommunications and the proliferation of digital photography
Space & PhysicsOctober 6, 2009
Sun Down: High-Energy Cosmic Rays Reach a Space Age Peak
A prolonged lull in the sun's activity has allowed energetic particles to penetrate the solar system with record intensity
The SciencesOctober 5, 2009
17th-century Brueghel paintings trace the early, mysterious history of the telescope
Space & PhysicsOctober 5, 2009
(Un)inflated Expectations: Airless Lunar Wheel Concept Gets a Workout on Moon Rover Prototypes [Slide Show]
A tire company works toward a design for the extremes of space that doesn't need inflating
The SciencesOctober 1, 2009
What (Maybe) Didn't Kill the Dinosaurs: Comets
A new model for comet production revises the theory of their origins