Topic

Space & Astronomy

A collection of 30 issues

From Breakfast Table to Dwarf Planet: The Quiet Legacy of Pluto's Namer

In 1930, 11-year-old Venetia Burney named the newly discovered planet Pluto. She lived to see its controversial 2006 reclassification to a "dwarf planet." Phair, then 87, met the news with grace, offering a unique, personal perspective on the astronomical debate.

Biography & Personal Stories Space & Astronomy History

The Galactic Constant: Why All Galaxies Spin to the Same Beat

Astronomers have discovered a hidden cosmic rule: all galaxies, regardless of size, complete one rotation at their outer edge in roughly a billion years. This universal 'galactic year' reveals a fundamental relationship between a galaxy's matter and its spin.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Inventions & Discoveries

Unraveling the Myth: How Spaceflight Changes Gene Expression, Not an Astronaut's Core DNA

Contrary to viral headlines, Scott Kelly's DNA did not permanently change after a year in space. The myth stems from NASA's Twins Study, which found significant changes in his *gene expression*—how genes turn on and off—most of which reverted upon his return to Earth.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Myth, Folklore & Legends

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.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Inventions & Discoveries

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.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Oddities & Curiosities

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.

Science & Nature Space & Astronomy Oddities & Curiosities

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.

Science & Nature Space & Astronomy Oddities & Curiosities

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.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Oddities & Curiosities

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.

Space & Astronomy Science & Nature Medicine, Psychology & Health

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.

Space & Astronomy Biography & Personal Stories Adventure & Exploration

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