Topic

Space & Astronomy

A collection of 10 issues

The Richat Structure: How Astronauts Discovered the Sahara's Giant Eye

A geological wonder in Mauritania, the Richat Structure, or 'Eye of the Sahara,' was unseen until astronauts spotted its 30-mile-wide bullseye from orbit. First mistaken for an impact crater, it is a deeply eroded geological dome formed 100 million years ago.

How Soviet Probes Captured the Only Photos from Venus's Surface

The Soviet Union's Venera program captured the only surface photos of Venus in the 1970s and 80s. Landers survived apocalyptic conditions—crushing pressure and lead-melting heat—for mere hours, transmitting stunning panoramic images of a rocky, orange-lit world.

The Girl Who Named Pluto and Lived to See Its Reclassification

In 1930, 11-year-old Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" for a newly discovered planet. Her life uniquely spanned its entire history as the ninth planet, as she was still alive in 2006 to witness its controversial reclassification as a dwarf planet.

Climbing the Cosmic Ladder: The Ingenious Methods Astronomers Use to Measure the Universe

How do we know a galaxy is billions of light-years away? Astronomers use a clever, tiered system called the cosmic distance ladder. By combining methods like parallax for nearby stars with 'standard candles' for distant galaxies, they build upon each measurement to chart the scale of the cosmos.

The Unstopping Photon: Why Light's Journey Never Truly Ends

Light travels indefinitely in a vacuum until it interacts with an object. The reason a flashlight beam seems to fade isn't because the light stops, but because it spreads out over a larger area. This unstoppable nature allows us to see galaxies that are billions of light-years away.

Gigantic Jets: The Rare Upward Lightning That Touches the Edge of Space

Far above a thunderstorm, a rare electrical phenomenon erupts not towards the ground, but upwards to the edge of space. Known as Gigantic Jets, these massive discharges were once dismissed as pilot folklore but are now confirmed, reminding us how much we have to learn about our own planet.

An Electric Bridge to Space: The Mystery of Upward Lightning Known as Gigantic Jets

From the ISS, astronauts witness rare 'gigantic jets'—massive electrical discharges rising 50 miles from storm clouds to the edge of space. These reverse lightning bolts connect thunderclouds to the ionosphere, helping scientists understand our planet's complex atmospheric electrical circuits.

The Universe's Biggest Bar: Uncorking the Secrets of Sagittarius B2

Near our galaxy's center lies Sagittarius B2, an immense interstellar cloud of alcohol. Spanning a diameter 1,000 times our solar system, this cosmic reservoir of ethyl alcohol offers vital clues into the complex chemistry of star formation and the potential origins of organic life.

The Space Stretch: Unpacking the Science Behind Why Astronauts Get Taller in Orbit

A peculiar side effect of space travel is a temporary growth spurt. In microgravity, the discs between an astronaut's vertebrae expand, freed from Earth's constant compression. This spinal decompression can add up to two inches in height, a fascinating change that reverses upon returning home.

The Lunar High Jump That Nearly Killed an Astronaut

Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke holds the lunar high jump record. In a moment of fun during the "Lunar Olympics," he attempted to set a record but fell backward onto his fragile life support pack. A crack would have meant certain death, a stark reminder of the perils of space exploration.