Optics

Two astronomers recall almost mistaking light from the big bang for pigeon droppings

Hidden illusions are the Easter eggs of the mind

A sea turtle’s life begins in darkness. After about 60 days of incubation inside their eggs, turtle hatchlings use a temporary tooth called a caruncle to break out of their shells.

Astronauts on a routine repair mission for the Hubble Space Telescope find themselves coping with more than they bargained for in the pulse-pounding opening sequence of Alfonso Cuaron's Oscar-winning film, Gravity.

Today, Chris Hadfield shared in social media a previously released video, Chris Hadfield’s Snapshots from Space! “Throughout his ISS mission, CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield has been taking some of the most incredible photos of Earth ever seen.

ABOARD THE R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON--Our operations have been halted for a second day now while we wait for a storm on the other side of New Zealand to spin itself out.

The supersensitive device holds promise for medical imaging and quantum networks

A new technique exploits sensor noise patterns unique to each camera that can help identify criminals via photographs posted online

Computing technique reconstructs 3D images from single photons reflected from dimly lit object

Optical systems are set to handle planetary science's big data

Different-shaped beams could be used to increase fiber-optic capacity, thereby easing online congestion

Photons emerge as competitors to electrons in new computer circuits