"The large-scale homogeneity of the universe makes it very difficult to believe that the structure of the universe is determined by anything so peripheral as some complicated molecular structure on a minor planet orbiting a very average star in the outer suburbs of a fairly typical galaxy."

— Steven Hawking

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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.
Updated: 12 hours 18 min ago

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Discovers New Moon of Uranus

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 4:20pm

Using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have spotted a moon nestled near Uranus’s rings that’s so small you could walk around it

Categories: Astronomy

Why Hurricanes like Erin Trigger Rip Currents Hundreds of Miles Away

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 4:03pm

From Miami to Maine, the East Coast is under moderate or high rip current risk advisories because of Hurricane Erin

Categories: Astronomy

U.S. Cuts Antarctica’s Only Research Icebreaker Ship under Trump Budget Squeeze

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 11:00am

The National Science Foundation will stop operating the Nathaniel B. Palmer icebreaker and slash polar science funding by 70 percent, devastating Antarctic research

Categories: Astronomy

What Happens When an Entire Scientific Field Changes Its Mind

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Total reversals in scientific thinking are rare—but earth-shattering

Categories: Astronomy

180 Years of Standing Up for Science

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Our anniversary celebration begins with an outstanding collection of stories about times that science itself has made a full about-face

Categories: Astronomy

Why Some Smells Are Pleasant and Others Are Off-Putting, according to Science

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

More familiar smells and scents from complex molecules can often be more appealing

Categories: Astronomy

Readers Respond to the April 2025 Issue

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Letters to the editors for the April 2025 issue of Scientific American

Categories: Astronomy

Human Uniqueness Is a Myth, Mounting Evidence Shows

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Other species exhibit capabilities that were once thought to be exclusive to Homo sapiens

Categories: Astronomy

How NASA’s Juno Probe Changed Everything We Know about Jupiter

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

The Juno spacecraft has rewritten the story on Jupiter, the solar system’s undisputed heavyweight

Categories: Astronomy

How Plastics Went from a Sustainability Solution to an Environmental Crisis

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Synthetic polymers were supposed to free us from the limitations of our natural resources. Instead they led to an environmental crisis

Categories: Astronomy

September 2025: Science History from 50, 100 and 150 Years Ago

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Huge fish; spiritualist rebuke

Categories: Astronomy

New Treatments Can Free Kids from the Deadly Threat of Peanut Allergy

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Remarkable new treatments can free millions of kids and adults from the deadly threat of peanut allergy, tackling one of our fastest-growing medical problems

Categories: Astronomy

Contributors to Scientific American’s September 2025 Issue

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Writers, artists, photographers and researchers share the stories behind the stories

Categories: Astronomy

In the Search for Life beyond Earth, the Only Constant Is Hope

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

The search for extraterrestrial life has periodically been turned upside down

Categories: Astronomy

Poem: ‘Unison Call’

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Science in meter and verse

Categories: Astronomy

Science Crossword: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Play this crossword inspired by the September 2025 issue of Scientific American

Categories: Astronomy

Math Puzzle: Dissect the Square

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Figure out how to split the square in this math puzzle

Categories: Astronomy

Public Education Needs Our Support

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

The U.S. is a global powerhouse. Public education is one of the main reasons why

Categories: Astronomy

How Gluten-Free Diets Are Getting Overhyped

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Unless you have celiac disease, there are few health benefits to a gluten-free diet

Categories: Astronomy

How Sleep Cleans the Brain and Keeps You Healthy

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 6:00am

Washing waste from the brain is an essential function of sleep—and it could help ward off dementia

Categories: Astronomy