The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the combination is locked up in the safe.

— Peter De Vries

Astronomy

Lightning Strike Sets New Record for Longest Ever Measured

Scientific American.com - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 8:00am

A lighting flash that spanned from East Texas to an area near Kansas City in 2017 is officially the longest lightning strike ever measured, according to the World Meteorological Organization

Categories: Astronomy

The best new science fiction books of August 2025

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 7:30am
From a fresh take on Stephen King’s The Stand to a new novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky set on a poisoned world, August has a bumper crop of new science fiction novels
Categories: Astronomy

The best new science fiction books of August 2025

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 7:30am
From a fresh take on Stephen King’s The Stand to a new novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky set on a poisoned world, August has a bumper crop of new science fiction novels
Categories: Astronomy

Why Earth Is Rotating Extra Fast This Summer, Shortening Days by Milliseconds

Scientific American.com - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 7:00am

As Earth spins through space, its rate of rotation changes. Here’s why

Categories: Astronomy

Nearby super-Earth K2-18 b may be a water-rich ocean planet: 'This has certainly increased the chances of habitability'

Space.com - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 6:00am
The search for life beyond the solar system is heating up. Though biosignatures around super-Earth K2-18b remain unconfirmed, the JWST has found the planet could be a water-rich ocean world.
Categories: Astronomy

Watch SpaceX launch Crew-11 astronauts to the ISS for NASA today after delay

Space.com - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:01am
The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission are scheduled to launch toward the International Space Station Friday (Aug. 1), and you can watch the action live.
Categories: Astronomy

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APOD - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00am

Meteors from the


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

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APOD - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00am


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Ancient Siberian ice mummy is covered in 'really special' tattoos

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 8:01pm
Tattoos may have been widespread in prehistory, with scientists discovering a plethora of body art on a pastoralist who died in the 3rd or 4th century BC
Categories: Astronomy

Human milk could help fight infections that endanger pregnancies

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 5:45pm
The prebiotic properties of human milk could be harnessed to treat a bacterial strain known to cause problems for immunocompromised people – and trigger premature birth
Categories: Astronomy

Heatstroke and Extreme Heat Exposure Leads to Chronic Health Effects on Kidneys, Heart and Brain

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 2:00pm

The immediate harms of extreme heat are well documented, but a growing body of research suggests that heatstroke may have long-term health effects throughout the body

Categories: Astronomy

Why the Tsunami from Russia’s Earthquake Wasn’t as Large as Feared

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:00pm

Russia’s magnitude 8.8 earthquake spawned serious tsunami warnings, but waves have been moderate so far. Here’s the geological reason why

Categories: Astronomy

Why Dungeons and Dragons Is Good for Your Brain

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 11:20am

Researchers and therapists explore the mental health benefits of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

Categories: Astronomy

A troubling shift in Europe’s forest carbon balance

ESO Top News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 11:00am

Europe’s forests play a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but research led by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has found their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide has declined in the past decade.

Categories: Astronomy

Russia’s Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake Ranks among 10 Strongest

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 10:34am

Russia’s earthquake was estimated at magnitude 8.8, among the strongest since scientists began monitoring

Categories: Astronomy

Webb traces details of complex planetary nebula

ESO Top News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 10:00am

More than one star contributes to the irregular shape of NGC 6072 – Webb’s newest look at this planetary nebula in the near- and mid-infrared shows what may appear as a very messy scene resembling splattered paint. However, the unusual, asymmetrical scene hints at more complicated mechanisms underway, as the star central to the scene approaches the very final stages of its life and expels shells of material, losing up to 80 percent of its mass.

Categories: Astronomy

U.S. Nuclear Energy Policy Could Accelerate Weapons Proliferation

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:30am

The White House has now fully embraced bomb-prone nuclear fuel technology. This should stop before an arms race, atomic terrorism or even nuclear war results

Categories: Astronomy

Hidden Greenland Lake Punches through Giant Blocks of Ice in ‘Extremely Surprising’ Event

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:29am

Water usually flows downward, but something strange happened under Greenland’s ice sheet when a deluge punched through the surface to scour an area nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park

Categories: Astronomy

Jigsaws: SciAm Cover Art

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:00am

Explore Scientific American’s most fascinating magazine covers

Categories: Astronomy

Science Quiz: Doing a 180

Scientific American.com - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:00am

Put your science knowledge to the test with this week’s news quiz. Play now.

Categories: Astronomy