Physical World

Composite mage shows a solar filament that ribbons from a glowing red sun with areas of yellow eruptions against a black sky.

Are we ready? Understanding just how big solar flares can get

Recasting the iconic Carrington Event as just one of many superstorms in Earth’s past, scientists reveal the potential for even more massive, and potentially destructive, eruptions from the sun

Artist’s conception of the Juno spacecraft aloft above Jupiter.

Physical World

Jupiter revealed

The Juno spacecraft has been circling Jupiter since 2016. Here are four things we’ve learned so far about the biggest planet in the solar system.

Image shows a view of the sun and its corona. Half of the image is taken in UV light. The right half of the image shows the sun in visible light during an eclipse, when its corona can be easily seen.

Physical World

Hotter than the sun: The mysterious solar corona

Several new missions aim squarely at a long-standing astronomical conundrum, with the promise of improving space-weather predictions

Photo taken during Apollo 11 moon landing. On the 50th anniversary, scientists consider what we’ve learned from the moon rocks collected by Apollo astronauts. What the rocks tell us about the early solar system is still being discovered.

Physical World

How the moon landings changed our view of the solar system

Lunar samples hinted at a barrage of debris pummelling planets billions of years ago. Fifty years after Apollo 11, that story is still unfolding.

Photograph shows light shining through a colorful stained glass window of the church at Skalholt in Iceland.

Physical World

Plasmonics brings the molecular world into sharper focus

People have been using metals to manipulate light for centuries. Now researchers are using it to create powerful biosensors.

An illustration shows a planet no longer in orbit around a star, ejected from its home star system.

Physical World

Lost world: An ancient ninth planet that went missing

Clues hidden in today’s orbits hint at the violent origins of the solar system — and a rogue giant kicked out long ago.

Illustration of two neutron stars colliding

Physical World

A crash of stars reveals the origins of heavy elements

Colliding neutron stars sent out a gravitational wave as well as new clues about where gold, platinum and other atoms are forged.

Physical World

Searching for life among the stars

Astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger reckons the galaxy could contain as many as 40 billion habitable planets. Here, she speaks about the search for those faraway worlds and signatures of life.

Per page: 20 50 100

arrow_back_ios

1 of 1

arrow_forward_ios

Physical World

Science literacy is more important than ever. Help us combat misinformation.