Escaping the Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
As NASA’s Space Launch System moves closer to reality, we all move closer to the dream of permanent outposts in space
Opinion
We Must Preserve the Night Sky
Thousands of planned new satellites could ruin a majestic view for billions of people
A Bold Proposal for Easing the Venezuela-Colombia Migrant Crisis
Building solar and wind power along the border would provide jobs, clean water and more productive farms
Tech Waste Is a Danger to Us All
Industry and governments are ignoring the problem—as well as some simple solutions
How to Make the Study of Consciousness Scientifically Tractable
We need to reexamine the idea of “objectivity” in research
Hollywood and Gun Violence
Movies alone don’t cause people to misuse firearms—but if they even just contribute, the film industry should take responsibility
The Trump Administration vs. Children
A new report shows how the most innocent are collateral damage in the war against science being waged by the president and his agencies
Reform in Saudi Arabia: The Climate-Coffee Connection
The beans that power the kingdom’s coffeehouses, which are hotbeds of talk about social change, are threatened by diminishing water supplies
Here’s the One Thing Not to Do on Valentine’s Day
Avoid the example of animals that practice semelparity and don’t murder your mate
January 2020: Earth’s Warmest January on Record
The month was our planet’s warmest ever recorded without an El Niño being present
