Space
Monster Magnetar Pinpointed as Trigger of Ultrabright Stellar Detonation
New observations of a superluminous supernova could finally solve the mystery behind these and other bewildering cosmic events
Stories by Shannon Hall
Space
All Sand on Earth Could Be Made of Star Stuff
Silica, a common ingredient in sand, concrete and glass, may have its origins in supernovae
Space
Caught in the Act—Astronomers Get Their Best Look Yet at a Supernova Blowing Up
New observations of a stellar explosion have revealed a surprise that could point to the trigger behind these violent, yet mysterious, eruptions
Evolution
A Supervolcano with a Cold Heart May Be Brewing in Chile
A supervolcano may be brewing underneath Chile, with a cold interior that is upending ideas about triggers of huge eruptions
Space
The Galactic Collision That Reshaped Our Milky Way
A new finding is shedding light on how our galaxy—and those throughout the universe—evolve
Evolution
Say Hello to Dickinsonia, the Animal Kingdom’s Newest (and Oldest) Member
Half-billion-year-old fossils reveal new details about one of the most mysterious chapters in Earth’s history
Physics
A Superconductor Scandal? Scientists Question a Nobel Prize–Worthy Claim
Scientists claim to have achieved superconductivity at room temperature, but other physicists say the data look doctored
Space
Did a Stellar Intruder Deform Our Outer Solar System?
New results suggest a massive star once swung dangerously close to our sun—helping to shape the mysterious features we see today
Space
Glittering Diamond Dust in Space Might Solve a 20-Year-Old Mystery
The Milky Way is strewn with sparkling, spinning microscopic diamonds, which might explain an unusual microwave glow
Policy & Ethics
First Woman Air and Space Museum Director Talks about Inspiring the Next Generation
Ellen Stofan, head of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, told us about the power of museums to attract young scientists and combat attacks on science
Space
The Milky Way's Speediest Stars Could Solve a 50-Year-Old Mystery
Stars traveling more than 1,200 kilometers per second hint at a new mechanism behind cosmos-spanning stellar explosions
Climate
A Nation Divided: Arid/Humid Climate Boundary in U.S. Creeps Eastward
The stark climatic border in the U.S. separating the sultry east from the dry west is rapidly shifting—a change that could have a significant future impact
EARTH
Old New England Underground May Be Spry after All
The U.S. Northeast may be more geologically active than was previously thought, according to a seismic sensor network.
Space
Are Water Worlds Habitable?
It looks like the galaxy is overflowing with worlds soaked in water, but scientists are divided on whether life there would succeed or fail
Environment
New England Is Sitting on a Bed of Hot Rocks
The U.S. Northeast may be more geologically active than thought
Space
The Sun Is Spitting Out Strange Patterns of Gamma Rays—and No One Knows Why
The discovery, although mysterious, might provide a new window into the depths of our most familiar star
Space
Like Ancient Snowball Earth, Frozen Planets May Still Be Habitable
A new model suggests ice-locked worlds might contain oases of temperate land that could support life
Environment
Could More Snow in Antarctica Slow Sea Level Rise?
New claims that increased snowfall in eastern regions could offset melting in the western side of the continent might not stand the test of time
Environment
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Continents and volcanoes nearly came to a halt billions of years ago, creating a huge planetary pressure cooker
Natural Disasters
Looming Landslide Stokes Fears, May Help Disaster Predictions
Rattlesnake Ridge is collapsing in Washington State. As residents hurry to safety, scientists try to figure out which way rocks will fall
