Articles by Andrew May, Astrophysicist

Andrew May holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Manchester University, U.K. For 30 years, he worked in the academic, government and private sectors, before becoming a science writer where he has written for Fortean Times, How It Works, All About Space, BBC Science Focus, among others. He has also written a selection of books including Cosmic Impact and Astrobiology: The Search for Life Elsewhere in the Universe, published by Icon Books.

Articles by: Andrew May

An illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope: Origins, design and mission objectives

By Andrew May last updated 29 July 22

Reference NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has launched and it's the most powerful in history, giving us the deepest ever view into our universe.

CERN: Organization, experiments and facts

By Andrew May published 22 April 22

Reference Facts about the organization that built the atom smasher.

The Goldilocks zone: The place in a solar system that's just right

By Andrew May published 1 April 22

Reference Discover how finding this habitable zone is essential to uncovered life on other worlds

CMS detector. Compact Muon Solenoid. Naeblys via Getty Images

What is the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment?

By Andrew May published 18 March 22

Reference Learn about the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, including its purpose, design and achievements.

A computer-generated image of the ATLAS detector, complete with human figures to show its enormous scale. © CERN

What is the ATLAS experiment?

By Andrew May published 17 March 22

Reference Learn about the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, including its purpose, design and achievements.

Conceptual illustration of the Higgs particle being produced by colliding two protons_Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

What is the Higgs boson?

By Andrew May published 8 March 22

Reference A look at the "God particle" — its theoretical origins, its discovery in 2012, and its continuing significance.

A warped clock meant to represent the grandfather paradox.

What is the grandfather paradox?

By Andrew May published 31 January 22

Reference An explanation of the grandfather paradox, and how it might be solved via the physics of time travel

Diamonds: Formation, grading and other facts

By Andrew May published 18 January 22

Reference Diamonds are unique among gemstones, with intriguing physical properties and practical applications far beyond jewelry.

There are many ways Einstein changed the world.

7 ways Einstein changed the world

By Andrew May, Daisy Dobrijevic published 7 December 21

We take a look at the ways Einstein changed the world and shaped how we see and interact with the universe, from lasers to understanding space and time.

A laser-induced fusion reaction taking place inside the world's biggest laser at the National Ignition Facility's target chamber.

The world's biggest laser: Function, fusion power and solving a supernova

By Andrew May published 24 November 21

Reference There’s a giant laser in California that’s all about space and national defence, but it’s not a sci-fi super-weapon – it’s an amazing research tool for scientists

Time dilation refers to the idea that time is relative and passes at different rates for different observers, depending on certain factors.

What is time dilation?

By Andrew May published 17 November 21

Time dilation refers to the fact that time passes at different rates for different observers, depending on certain variables.

An artist's impression of the inside of a wormhole.

10 sci-fi concepts that are possible (in theory)

By Andrew May, Paul Sutter last updated 30 January 23

Some of the most common and unlikely sci-fi tropes could one day be science fact.

This artist’s impression video shows the path of the star S2 as it passes very close to the supermassive "black hole" at the center of the Milky Way.

8 ways we know that black holes really do exist

By Andrew May published 25 August 21

Black holes may sound like science fiction, but there is significant evidence to prove they are real.

4 bizarre Stephen Hawking theories that turned out to be right (and 6 we're not sure about)

By Andrew May published 22 July 21

Some of Hawking's theories revolutionized the way we view the universe, but others still leave scientists scratching their heads.

Can we stop Earth from heating up?

By Andrew May, All About Space magazine published 21 July 21

A high-altitude balloon mission would investigate a controversial way to reduce global temperatures.

Bubble universe, multiverse shown in this artist's conception.

10 wild theories about the universe

By Andrew May published 16 July 21

Why is the universe the way it is? Over the years, scientists have explored many ways to explain the cosmos, leading to some crazy-sounding ideas.

Actor Rod Taylor tests his time machine in a still from the film 'The Time Machine', directed by George Pal, 1960.

A beginner's guide to time travel

By Andrew May, How It Works magazine last updated 13 July 22

Learn exactly how Einstein's theory of relativity works, and discover how there's nothing in science that says time travel is impossible.

How are asteroids, space weather and space debris detected before they hit Earth?

By Andrew May, How It Works magazine published 16 April 21

The European Space Agency’s Space Situational Awareness program is tackling the problem on three fronts.

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