Features

Latest Features

A bright blue streak of light is seen covering a series of bright stars in this dark deep space image. A white box surrounds the blue shape

Deepest views from James Webb and Chandra reveal monster object that defies theory — Space photo of the week

By Shreejaya Karantha published

The James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured the clearest image yet of a galaxy cluster in the making, seen when the universe was only one billion years old.

6 Comments
Space
An illustration of all the planets in the solar system near Earth, seen at the bottom of the image. Mars, Saturn and Neptune are seen at the left while Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus are to the right

How long do most planets last?

By Sara Hashemi published

Planets are born, and they can also "die." So what's the lifespan of a typical planet?

2 Comments
Planets
Reconstruction of Homo longi (Denisovan)

What are ghost lineages, remnants of the past that still exist in our DNA today?

By Tom Metcalfe published

Ghost lineages reveal themselves through ancient genes that still exist in living beings today.

2 Comments
Human Evolution
A reconstruction of a late Neanderthal from El Salt.

Did modern humans wipe out the Neanderthals? New evidence may finally provide answers.

By Kristina Killgrove published

A complex picture of how Neanderthals died out, and the role that modern humans played in their disappearance, is emerging.

14 Comments
Archaeology

We used AI as our photography assistant for a week — what worked and what did not

By Jacob Little published

We let AI take the reins on our photography for a week — the results were surprising, frustrating and sometimes impressive.

Optics
A construction worker in safety helmet and gloves uses an angle grinder on a steel plate, sending a cascade of bright orange sparks across a dim industrial workshop.

Teenager contracts rare 'welder's anthrax,' marking the ninth known case ever reported

By Sophie Berdugo published

A teenager training to be a welder contracted a rare and dangerous lung infection, prompting a combined state and federal investigation.

2 Comments
Bacterial & Fungal Infections

Should you buy a new or used camera for astrophotography?

By Jacob Little published

Is buying used a smart move for astrophotography cameras, or should you stick with the latest tech?

Optics
Satellite photo of a pink salt lake in the shape of a heart

Astronaut snaps salty, pink Valentine's Day 'heart' shining in Argentina

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A 2024 astronaut photo shows a striking pink, heart-shaped salt lake in the middle of the Argentine lowlands. The endearing photo was originally released to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Earth from space

Sandals of Tutankhamun: 3,300-year-old footwear that let King Tut walk all over his enemies

By Kristina Killgrove published

Among the sandals discovered in Tut's tomb is a pair whose insoles were decorated with images of the boy king's enemies.

Ancient Egyptians

Did ancient Greeks let women compete in the Olympics?

By Owen Jarus published

The ancient Olympic games were crowded with male athletes, but were there opportunities for females to compete in sports?

Archaeology
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives