“...all the past is but a beginning of a beginning, and that all that is and has been is but the twilight of dawn.”

— H.G. Wells
1902

Scientific American.com

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Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.
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Wildfire Smoke from Canada Reduces Air Quality in U.S. Midwest

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 11:37am

Winds from the northwest are blowing cool, dry air—but also wildfire smoke—into the U.S. Midwest from Canada

Categories: Astronomy

U.S. Science Has Weathered Attacks Before and Won

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 8:00am

Federal officials seized 3,000 copies of Scientific American in 1950 in a “red scare” era of attacks on science. The move backfired, and offers lessons for today

Categories: Astronomy

Why Do Black Holes Spin?

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 6:45am

Scientists are uncovering how spinning black holes launch jets, warp spacetime and shape the cosmos

Categories: Astronomy

Anthropic’s Claude 4 Chatbot Suggests It Might Be Conscious

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 6:00am

A conversation with Anthropic’s chatbot raises questions about how AI talks about awareness.

Categories: Astronomy

4 Science Book Recommendations We Loved Reading in July

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 1:00pm

Check out Scientific American’s fiction and nonfiction book recommendations for July

Categories: Astronomy

Why Do Allergens Make Us Cough and Sneeze?

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00pm

The immune system senses damage to cell membranes caused by pore-forming proteins and mounts a response

Categories: Astronomy

Miniature Neutrino Detector Catches Elusive Particles at Nuclear Reactor

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 11:45am

A relatively small detector caught neutrinos from a nuclear reactor using a technique known as coherent scattering

Categories: Astronomy

Brains React to Signs of Illness—Even When It’s Not Real

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 11:15am

When people viewed virtual avatars with coughs or rashes, their brain triggered an immune response

Categories: Astronomy

How the Potato Got Its Start Nine Million Years Ago—Thanks to a Tomato

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 11:00am

About nine million years ago, a hybridization involving the lineage of another farmers market star gave rise to the modern-day cultivated potato

Categories: Astronomy

Lightning Strike Sets New Record for Longest Ever Measured

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

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

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 7:00am

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

Categories: Astronomy

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

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

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

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

Russia’s Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake Ranks among 10 Strongest

Wed, 07/30/2025 - 10:34am

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

Categories: Astronomy

U.S. Nuclear Energy Policy Could Accelerate Weapons Proliferation

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

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

Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:00am

Explore Scientific American’s most fascinating magazine covers

Categories: Astronomy

Science Quiz: Doing a 180

Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:00am

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

Categories: Astronomy

Neurotic Cats, One-Eyed Aliens and Hypnosis for Liars Are among the Historical Gems Reported in Scientific American

Wed, 07/30/2025 - 9:00am

Dive into the quirkiest and most fascinating tales from Scientific American’s 180-year archive

Categories: Astronomy