The science of Zombies, Questions in global history, Comment and analysis, History of the world, Jewels of the Nizam and more...

The future's bright, the future is dazzling. Particularly in this issue of BBC Knowledge... Mission into the Sun, our cover story, tells of how two different solar missions are getting set to stare down the most lustrous orb in our solar system and return to tell the story. The other future-forward feature, Where’s My Flying Car?, puts down new timelines on innovations that are only just coming into their own, while Unlocking the Secrets of the Brain details the fascinating advances that can be expected as scientists work with mini-brains in lab dishes. This issue, we also bring you innovations unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2018, and there’s a great story on The Science of Fighting Fat as well, which takes a long, hard look at the different diets going around as well as offers practical tips on losing weight. Looking into the past, What if the Dinosaurs had Survived? speculates that the world would have been a very different place if dinosaurs had not been wiped out in a mass extinction all those millions of years ago, while The Nuclear Pioneer who Escaped the Nazis lays out the story of Lise Meitner, whose contribution is valued even today. There is also, of course, the Devdutt Pattanaik special that explores the Serpent Lore of India, and all our other interesting regulars to keep you engrossed.We predict the the future of your reading is looking bright...

IT'S A NEW YEAR, TIME TO FIND NEW HOPE IN THE WORLD.
Which is why you'll love our story on the way forward with plastics. Sure, we should all reduce our use of plastic, but there’s also great news about what’s been done about the plastic we’ve already used, and updates on alternatives to plastic that the scientists of the world are coming up with.
We also have good news from the world of wildlife – Italian wolves and tawny owls are doing great, thank you, and an update on space tourism. Yes, Elon Musk has the goods all right. We also have a fascinating story on the Knights Templar; if you liked The Da Vinci Code, you’ll want to read this one.
And there’s an interesting supposition in Something’s Wrong with Gravity – what if Einstein and Hawking missed out on telling us something vital?
Find out more about Kubera, the god of wealth, in our continuing series on Indian mythology, and turn to the last page for a fascinating found object – a glazed tile stolen from Uzbekistan.

Happy new year! May 2018 be a year of discovery for us all!

It’s our seventh anniversary and we’re celebrating it by rediscovering the fascinating human body with you. Join us as we investigate
our 30 trillion cells (The A to Z of You), find always-welcome tips to banish fatigue (Endless Energy), discover how scents can be sexy (The Science of Chemical Attraction) and give in to our gut feelings (Meet your Second Brain).
If you’d rather not be so body-focussed, find out how predictive policing works (The Future of Fighting Crime), why the Victorians loved India (Cricket, Curry & Cups of Tea), how rishis have been perceived through the ages with Devdutt Pattanaik in our Indian Mythology section, and why you should know the work of Kamala Das, in Urvashi Butalia’s Know your Indian Author series.
And, if all else fails, you’ll find cuddly creatures to coo over in Wombat Hospital on our Portfolio pages.

Ready for some magic? Yes, this is a scientific magazine, but, sometimes, isn’t science magical too? We’ve got a fascinating set of experiments this issue in our DIY Science feature – go on, try them all! What’s life without a little fun in the most unexpected ways? Do write in and tell us how you got along…Then, there’s a cool story about how hackers are working their way through the world wide web, causing financial mayhem and political problems, or just indulging in some mischief. Also, on the cool front, but in a totally different way, the giant otters of the Peruvian Amazon are taking on the caimans of the river, and winning for the most part, and we have the beautiful flora and fauna of Ecuador in our Portfolio section. We have the many Caesars of Rome with us too. I was surprised at their diverse personalities and even by just how many they were; I think you will be too.  Our other history story details the 1865 tragedy on the Matterhorn, and, even more interestingly, what the opinions on mountaineering were at the time.  Among our India stories, alongside Urvashi Butalia’s profile of Premchand this issue, we’re thrilled to have mythology expert Devdutt Pattanaik join us in a new series on Indian mythology. He begins with a analysis of how the perception of the great god Indra has changed down the centuries, and it makes fascinating reading.Because, when it comes down to it, all knowledge is magical, isn’t it?

Are We Ready To be Spaced Out?

It’s happening. Everything we’re doing Out There seems to have one objective: to boldly go where not many men have gone before...
and check out whether many men can live there!
What are your thoughts on living someplace other than Earth? Have you ever thought about what would be required from our bodies, from our minds, from our diets? I hadn’t really thought about it – till I read Surviving Space, our cover story this issue. And it really made me wonder...
Our Knowledge Community gave us some interesting cues in what they would take to Mars if they were to be space colonists. Take a look. We have other great stories this issue too: There are the robots who learn; how far will they go? There are driverless cars;
are you ready to turn the steering wheel over to them? All this social media; is it doing the opposite of what it was conceived for?
That King Arthur; did he really exist?

Enough with the questions! We have beautiful photographs of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and a celebration of Harry Potter being 20 magical years in our lives...
Because, when it comes down to it, some of us are certainly not going to be on the first ship to Mars, or the Moon... and hey, that’s okay! There’s so much, anyway, to celebrate here on Earth!

What if you were the last person alive?
Movie makers and authors continue to spend a lot of time and money on imagining a world when mankind has left the building, but we have the scientific version this issue. And it’s fascinating...
To push the scenario along, but in a more fun way, we also have an engaging feature on Mars, and how the portrayal of the Red Planet over the years has mirrored the state of the world Away from gloom and doom, we’re loving our portfolio of cool photographs of flamingos; they make such a dramatic contrast to almost-colourless landscapes. Viruses come in for rare approbation too, with an analysis of how they play a part in keeping us alive.
On our history menu is a captivating profile of BT Barnum, aptly nicknamed the Great Pretender, while our Great Indian Authors series serves up the powerhouse that was Mahasweta Devi.
But, if the thought of life as we know it ending freaks you out, despite all our attempts to distract you, here are two happy thoughts:
One, there are seven new exoplanets to plan trips to, a la Elon Musk, and two, if you don’t sharpen your brain with our easy tips, you may not even realise when the world is ending.
Happy planning either way!

I’ve never seen a tiger in the wild.

No, really. I’ve seen sloth bears dancing with butterflies in Bandipur, one-horned rhinos too close in Chitwan, elephants even closer in Mudumalai. I’ve had the wealth of the Great Barrier Reef float past me as I snorkelled the deep. But I’ve never seen a tiger in the wild. I've heard the warning call of the monkeys and the deer, seen the pug marks on the forest floor made just minutes earlier. I’ve sat waiting for hours in a safari jeep behind a  screen of scrub while the tiger feasted, grunting, on the other side.
And I’ve never seen a tiger in the wild. And, you know what? That’s fine with me. The greatest thing about wildlife is that it’s wild, free, unobliged to show itself. And that unpredictability of sightings is something to celebrate. It takes the pressure off the big animals, and calls on you to appreciate the smaller ones, the little creatures who are also so much a part of the wild wonderland. This special wildlife issue has so many wonderful windows into the wild packed into it. We have the best Indian sanctuaries (and spoiler: they may not be the ones you’re expecting), snow leopards, urban animals, and the colourful creatures of the deep... 

As always, there’s lots for you even if the wild doesn't rev your engines — personalities like feminist writer Ismat Chughtai, Birdman of India Dr Salim Ali, and historians’ takes on how the world might remember Fidel Castro. There’s a wonderful story on why we dance, which might explain India’s obsession with Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. We have travel and food that will make you want to explore our world, and, well, eat. And our innovations section this issue brings you all the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show this year — incredible inventions, dramatic new ideas, wild advancements…

Because it is a wild, exciting world out there — and it’s time to go out and discover it.

A very happy new year to you. The beginning of each year invites us to re-evaluate our thoughts on the everyday, and the pulling together of this issue forced me to think about how all-pervasive technology is - even in the lives of people who bemoan the loss of  a simpler past. Why, then, do we sometimes baulk at the idea of how much we depend on technology? For parents, it may be worry about how many hours a child may spend absorbed in something with a screen.  For young people, it might well be all about FOMO - the fear of  missing out.There are, of course, the ardent advocates of technology - Steve Jobs,  Elon Musk, Bill Gates, among them - but, for us, perhaps it is best to bring it down to daily living. It is about giving technology its place in our lives, just like eating the right amount of food, drinking enough water, even getting enough sunlight. Is Technology Changing Our Brains?,  our cover story this issue, takes a cold, hard look at how technology  is rewiring our minds, for better or for worse. In conjunction with  this story, we’re proud to present the ἀrst module of the BBC Knowledge Panel of Principals, educators from across India weighing in on the subject, as well as responses from our BBC Knowledge Community  on social media. There’s more on the new and the happening in  our Discoveries & Innovations pages, augmented by a re-imagined  On The Shelves section that explores new and classic technology, gadgets, games and literature. Still, perhaps the beauty of our rapidly-evolving life on earth is that some things are constant. How baby animals are adorbs. How we’ll always love the genius of R. K. Narayan and his Malgudi world. How there’s always time for a good tale, especially when the storyteller is Sudha Murty. How so many of us love how dogs could now be dogtors.  
I leave you with a thought from Jerry Baumgartner that will soothe  both the advocates and naysayers of technology:“Technology gives the quietest student a voice.”

Captain’s log: Earth Date: November 1, 2016.

We’re at the cusp of great discovery. Our spacecraft Juno has entered Jupiter's orbit and I know what we find will be rad…
Welcome to our sixth anniversary issue - a Space Special. We have a 26-page Q&Asection; totally devoted to the world out there, a set of extremely cool, retro-style posters from NASA, and a celebration of India’s three space heroes in In Focus. Also, from this issue, we’re thrilled to initiate a page featuring responses from BBC Knowledgers from our social media platforms. This month, you tell us, appropriately, why you deserve an introduction to Elon Musk.

Not a space cadet? We’ve got our usual menu of other great stories. Poo scientist, lava lover… there’s a bizarre option to inspire you in The Most Extreme Jobs in Science. If you’ve ever felt a twinge of anxiety about putting your trust in a metal bird, there’s reassurance in How Safe is Your Plane? You’ll meet the intriguing geladas of the Ethiopian Highlands on our pages, and discover why some historians consider the Gupta Period the Golden Age of India. And, from this issue on, we’re excited to foray into the world of travel and food with nuggets and tidbits from across the globe, and we will soon be adding more in literature, art and creativity to the magazine.

My name is Primrose, I bring on board years of experience in writing about women and travel, and I’ve signed on to be the new captain at the helm of BBC Knowledge. And, as you may have worked out by now,I’m more into Star Trek than Star Wars.

I’d love to hear from you - tell me what you’d like us to feature and email us at edit.bbcknowledge@wwm.co.in I’d love to have you join me on my grand new adventure: discovering new worlds and thoroughly exploring our own.

Change really is the only constant. A guarantee that no matter how our present is, it is bound to get different. New ideas drive the world. Every day and everywhere we know, in all quiet corners of cities and countries around the globe, talented minds are chipping away, trying to unlock tiny and big truths, trying to put pieces of puzzles together to make sense of the world. Once in a while you may hear of one big discovery but more frequently you hear of innovations, the successful results of the many puzzles solved by those same talented minds that had been chipping away in all corners. Our big cover story this month lists out top such contemporary innovations. 39 Ideas About to Change Our World (pg 26) will paint a very lucid picture of how our immediate future will look like. A must-read. As is the rest of the issue.

Our cover story this month, for me, is about the ultimate quest of mankind. How to manipulate life – to extend, to design, to create anew. Regenerative medicine and biotechnology is making mind-boggling strides - new tissue is being grown in petri dishes, brain mapping is becoming more sophisticated among many other things. It’s not long before the first working replica of the human brain will be created. In the story, you will also read about the Russian billionaire who is funding research on how to transfer human consciousness onto a computer. It is another step towards the direction of pursuing immortality by using robotics and the technology as a supplement to aid natural life. It is a gripping article, a mini digest of all-you-need-to-know about the journey ‘to build a human’. On page 40. Not all our features are looking into the future. I loved the feature on Why Rome Ruled the World (pg 34) and on the History of the Underwear. I know for sure that my 10-year old would be tickled silly reading the latter. Inside we also have a fantastic conversation with Sunil Khilnani, historian and author of one of the books I have thoroughly enjoyed recently – Incarnations: India in 50 Lives. A must-read. And thank you to all our young readers for submitting in their creative works for the Get Published in BBC Knowledge initiative. We received such wonderful poems and essays from all across the country and the selections are inside the pages for you to read. Congratulations to all our young published writers. Cheers.

What’s upon us overwhelms me - dwindling water and energy supplies the world over, floods, drought, the very mercurial El Niño that controls us in unexpected ways, and there is so much else. The ominous future that the concerned environmentalists predicted, which we thought was way off far into the future, seems to be here very much ahead of schedule. The Earth is changing. So how alarmed must one get? What does one do? How do we change our lifestyles to survive, adapt and thrive? How we live needs to change. Countries are divided on this, and the debate rages on. But there are quieter changes taking place all over - by products of technologies and life, preparing themselves for adifferent time. Read the stories inside about drones, driverless cars and super-sized Zeppelins to name a few. My favourite this month is the captivating feature on the Peregrines, the dynamic falcon that has adapted to tall, steely skyscrapers of Chicago when its natural habitat of high, rocky cliffs is no longer an option. On a different note - over the years, I have been getting so many requests from our young readers who wanted to contribute their writings to the magazine. Well, here is your chance. Get Published in BBC Knowledge. We want your thoughts and your imaginations - your poems, photographs, and short essays. This month’s theme for submissions is Summer. Be your creative best during the holidays and send us your works. Details are on page 7. Cheers. Happy reading.

We live in such exciting times. In 1916, Albert Einstein had predicted the existence of gravitational waves – ripples generated in space-time when an event on a mammothian scale occurs, such as the collision of two black holes. It’s remained a theoretical concept since the early part of the century till a few weeks ago when Ligo physicists announced that they have discovered and are able to detect these waves. The announcement has the science community electrified. These waves are like no other they say. They are carrying data and information, in their purest form yet, about celestial bodies and events that happened billions of years ago – perhaps also about the Big Bang. The next on the list now could be dark matter. In this issue, we seek out a bit of the magic from the cosmos. The cover story is on the age-old quest of extra-terrestrial life. Will they look like the little green men with soulless eyes or as my 10-year-old suggested, could be in a form we haven’t yet learnt to recognise? Read the fascinating story about how we may be looking for E.T. in the wrong place altogether. Another fascinating feature is one where we put together all the milestones achieved last year in science. The compilation is so awesome that we wonder – was 2015: The Best Ever Year for Science? On page 38. Must read as well is At Work with David Attenborough, a day-in-the-life-kind-of piece with the world famous and enigmatic broadcaster and naturalist. And how can I forget – the magazine starts with the super special Q&A section, solely dedicated to Star Wars. It may a bit late in the day since the movie released but something tells me it’s never late in the day to talk about Star Wars. Happy reading.

It’s a new year and change is again knocking at our doors. As all years go, 2015 was eventful too. But I think some events that occurred, have made this past year a bit more significant than others to the story of our world.
Exactly a year ago in January, the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris rattled the western world. Terrorism, foreign policies, religion, drones, became and remain the talk of our times. In March, Iran and 6 other world powers including the United States signed a historic nuclear deal intended as a major step towards making the world safer. In August, the crisis of Syrian migrants overwhelmed Europe and emerged as one of the compelling humanitarian issue of our times; September made us more cynical about big corporations, thanks to the deceit perpetuated by Volkswagen globally with its emissions scandal. Same month, NASA confirmed there was liquid flowing water on Mars. The Paris Attacks in November made many question if this was the beginning of a third world war.
But despite the ban on diesel cars and the smog in Delhi, December ended on hope - a new, momentous climate change treaty was agreed upon by 200 nations in Paris - a big big deal since climate change and a country’s responsibility towards this man-made problem has always been a point of contention.
Do you see how each and every one of these events will affect our lives? Change is indeed in the air and 2016 will bring more of it. So let’s embrace it – let’s know more, innovate more and do more, read, learn & discuss more, and explore more.
Have a great year.

We turn five-years-old this month. In human years, it means being curious aplenty, explorers of new worlds, and knowing no fear. It’s been such a ride working on this magazine; looking at global developments in the fields of science and history, and selecting and discussing and working on stories that we thought you would love to read. A confession: I have been always been partial towards topics like the universe, planets, black holes, dinosaurs, and Indian history. But I must say, looking back, I think my favourite was the issue on Zombies. So we have kept you abreast. Of all the scientific breakthroughs, and of the extraordinary works of the world’s brightest minds. Which is why, this 5th anniversary edition is even more special. It is a Gadgets Digest. Over 50+ pages of new tech, upcoming tech, gizmos, upcoming products - from hybrid cars to smart watches, virtual screens, pet robots, diving drones and advanced cameras. Gadgets are very telling of the world we live in, they are very telling of a lot of the research and study that has preoccupied academics, creators and thinkers. Gadgets are where concepts and theory meets application and are thus a measurable result. The inside pages will give you a glimpse into the mind-bending, wondrous times that are upon us, where technology that we thought is of the future, has already surreptitiously seeped in or is seeping into our homes and lives. So brace yourselves. Things are changing fast; read up and be ready.Happy reading

Science is so much fun, isn’t it? As are our
histories, and the natural world around us.
There is so much to know; so many discoveries
and innovations are being made everyday.
Everyday, we live our lives a bit differently.
And isn’t it a joy to put together the puzzle
pieces to figure out how and why?
This edition of Knowledge casts light on some
such important pieces, pieces from pasts and
futures. Take our cover story in Robots Like
Us (pg 26). It will give you a glimpse into a not too distant world where
robots will be a normal part of our households. Perhaps something
like in the movies AI and Bicentennial Man? Read about the innovators
and the scientists who are tinkering away to make machines more like
humans. Or read about Babur (pg 72), the first of the Moghuls, who
changed the course of India like no one else did. Find out about the
big questions that astronomers and physicists grapple with about our
Universe. From questioning the Big Bang to chasing the mysterious
Dark Energy. And for those who just thought sci-fi thrillers were just
movies, think again – and read The Trouble With Time Travel (pg
62), where John Gribbin explores mind boggling concepts from the film
Back to the Future that have scientists hooked.
This past month marked 70 years since the Hiroshima bombing.
On August 6, 1945, the Atom Bomb was dropped on an unsuspecting
city by the United States and the destruction that followed has been
unparalleled in history. Read about what happened that day, and how
humankind overcame its darkest hour in Hiroshima: Rising From
the Ashes (pg 44).

I am just going to say it outright. I love dinosaurs,
but I am not sure if I want to see them come back
to life. I am the thrill loving kinds; I really am, but
I am also a supporter of ethical science practices
and research. So give me a good discussion and an
argument first. I am sure most would agree that
nature’s selection and evolution process is way
more wise and intensive than the genius of man.
And the decision to bring back that, which has
become extinct, or to create life artificially, should
not be an easy one to make.
Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should; these oft-said words (also a line
in the just-released Jurassic World) symbolise a philosophical and an ethical
dilemma. And like all such dilemmas, this too does not have a clear-cut
answer. As ethics go, absolute rights or wrongs are confirmed only when
mass behaviour patterns get accepted as social norm. Centuries ago, certain
crimes were not considered as sin as they are considered now. Dolly the sheep;
the world’s first cloned mammal (1996), caused a huge social uproar. It was
outrageous, wrong and unnatural, they said. Twenty years down the line,
cloning still remains a highly contentious and controversial issue but research
has already made huge strides in the field of genetic sciences.
Genetically modified foods in some form or the other are consumed all
over the world. There is still data and sentiment that opposes GM products
but there is more acceptances now than there was before. My point is, this is
social behaviour and social mandate, with its tugs and pushes. And slowly as
time passes, societies and communities give a verdict whether they
accept something or not. Maybe one day, soon in the near future,
genetically modifying DNA to create a newer specimen won’t remain as
big an ethical dilemma.

Happy reading this month’s edition.

While growing up, I got tired of hearing how
a bit of dust and grime is good for my health,
and how important it is to build up that fort
called immunity. And I remember those sour
vegetables, bland yogurts, and other, very awful
nameless edible things I had to eat, forced
upon me by my folks, which I am trying to
force upon my 9-year-old now. You and I and
millions after us, will have to endure all of
these distastes for a greater purpose - to keep
our stomach/gut/intestines balanced and happy.
Which is the focus of this month’s cover story. Nicola Davis
writes about how new research is suggesting that our gut and the
bacteria it decides to play host to dictate not just the distribution of
nutrients in the body but also affects our demeanour, stress levels
and disposition. And that communication between the brain and
the gut can go both ways. Do read on page 34.
In other pages, we cover history’s two most powerful personalities
- Caeser and Hitler - both dictators. Of course we all know who
killed Caeser. It was Brutus and Cassius but what we don’t know
is that the brains behind the deceit were someone else’s. Find out
the plot and who the bigger villain was on page 30. In another
must–read essay, the famous biographer Ian Kershaw explores the
enduring enigma of Hitler and the devastating but unique impact
he had on his people, and the world. On page 62.
The rest of the issue has got the good stuff too. Enjoy NASA’s
new mission, experience the animals of the Namib Desert, and
explore newer technologies that seem set to address the issue of
climate change.
When you are done reading, we would love to hear your
worldview and your feedback. Write in your letters to
edit.bbcknowledge@wwm.co.in.
Cheers

Everyday science is progressing by leaps and bounds. Recently, just when we were not looking, Canadian and Egyptian researchers theorised that the Big Bang, what was long upheld as the reason for the origin of the Universe 13.8 billion years ago, might have not happened at all. And that the Universe possibly existed more or less the way it is, from the beginning of time. While the science community grapples with this fantastic suggestion and its significance, science continues to sprint ahead. In this issue, we explore space travel. 
Teleportation, that awesome ability that we secretly wished for ourselves since the Star Trek days, is big news these days. We may be still far from teleporting ourselves but read the feature on page 30 to discover the many unexpected things that are almost ready to be beamed up. But take heart Interstellar fans, if the movie left you pining for more juice on time travel - our cover story is a must-read. How To Travel Faster Than Light (page 48) discusses the fascinating phenomena of wormholes, those speedy shortcuts that hold the key to travelling through space. There is also DIY on how to build a wormhole. Easy peasy 
While on the subject of doable space travel - the test flight in October of last year of SpaceShip Two from Virgin’s Galactic Enterprise may have crashed and disappointed, but surprising alternatives to high-altitude tourism are being developed and making impressive strides. At this rate, the first space travel for tourists may just be in a balloon. Yes, you read this right. Read Balloon With A View on page 70.
The rest of the issue is packed with the good stuff too. Especially the pages on BRAINIAC quiz contest (pages 23-28) on where we announce the winner of our exhaustive, first ever all-India quiz in search of India’s smartest student. It’s Pranav Hari from Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Chennai. A big congratulations. 
Enjoy.

Happy New Year!

For a brand new year,  we bring you exciting and entertaining stories. From our cover story Mission To The Centre Of The Earth, where we look for clues of life's origins, to new findings, which point out that dinosaurs did have feathers and that too colourful ones in our Dressed For Success feature. We also take to the roads, figuratively speaking of course, where we review cars that are propelled by technology in Driving Into The Future. These cars are on the market and ready to drive down the roads with you. 
Who doesn't love receiving messages? But what about the ones from Outer Space. In our Mystery Messages From Space, scientists try and decode the messages we are receiving from our neighbours in the Universe. 
BRAINIAC , which is a quiz contest for India's smartest student is nearing its completion. The finale is going to be held in Chennai. Do have a look at the coverage of the regional rounds so far.

Happy Reading

BBC Knowledge turns 4! Our Anniversary issue, Revealed: The Top 10 Of Everything, reveals some unbelievable 900 plus facts! Split over 9 sections : Animal Kingdom, Human Evolution, Technology, The Earth, Human Planet, Space, Science, Transport and History, every page is filled with interesting and astounding facts that are sure to satiate your curious minds. Highest waterfall or the largest lake? Oldest city or an abandoned city? Dangerous predator or the smallest animal? We answer them all in this issue. 

Happy Reading.

The October issue of Knowledge is packed with a volley of information that is exciting, interesting, and waiting to be devoured.

Our cover story – Northern Exposure takes us to Hell Valley in Japan, where we learn about the Japanese Macaques and how they survive the biting cold. Who is the Greatest Genius? A discovery by an individual or a thought, which changed the way we perceived our world. See who made the list.

We look at the power of images in 10 Photographs That Made History as they celebrate pivotal events from history. It has been a hundred years since the Great War and we look at its scientific legacy that it has bestowed. From de-bunking reel action movie scenes in the Science of Blockbuster, chasing a comet to learn more about it in the Comet Chases, and learning that animals too live by their supersenses, this issue is bound toleave you with more facts and Knowledge than your friends.

Enjoy.

“That is one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind”, uttered Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon. Hailed as mankind’s greatest achievement, we look at alternate 12 defining moments in humanity’s history that have cause for celebration in p in our cover story The 12 Giant Leaps of Mankind. From man to the universe we live in, our feature The Universe – The Story So Far looks at the very beginning of the Universe and the new theories that are rewriting its cosmic origins. Speaking of origins, weuncover the mysteries behind the nature’s own electric phenomena lightning in When Lightning Strikes.
Join us on the Pre-Historic Safari to the land before time to meet Dinosaurs. Read to find out which, was the first dinosaurs, the fastest, ferocious, and even the last of its species!
Our gadgets this issue selects the best mobiles, music players, printers the market has to offer all under 10,000!
 
Happy reading!

We have pleasant and unpleasant memories. But did you know that we could also have some memories that are planted in our brain? In theJune issue of BBC Knowledge, scientists tell us how close they have come toimplanting false memories. Read about how some memories you hold dear, might not have occurred at all?
Don’t you just dislike uninvited guests who pop into your house for a cup of tea? Well what about parasites that are living inside of you without your knowledge since… say 7 years? We present a list of 10 parasites that have taken up residence in your body without your invitation.
Our Portfolio section in this issue we celebrate the iconic foods from regions around the world by making maps from them. Photographer Henry Hargreaves
We also look at Elon Musk’s proposal for the revolutionary mode of transport, HyperLoop, which would ensure commute faster than the speed of sound.
Happy reading!

It is only a matter of time before human make a headway reaching Mars. Our cover story Preparing for Mars, looks into the Martian way of life adopted by researchers and astronauts in the far unexplored corners of Earth as they work, sleep, eat, and experience the Martian living conditions to conquer the red planet. Talking about space travel, we also list the bizarre concepts and inventions that NASA is experimenting with to improve space traveling in the future – NASA’s Craziest Idea. 
Speaking of scientists, we have an interview with Jocelyn Bell-Burnell – the woman who discovered radio pulsar thereby opening up a whole new subfield of astrophysics. Also, a dubious honour list of scientists Killed By Their Own Inventions graces our magazine in this issue.
Apart from our regulars of Gadgets (we go green and present a definite list of eco-friendly gadgets) and Inside The Pages (Great Speeches of Modern India – where we present an excerpt of Indira Gandhi’s speech proclaiming Emergency in India and her reasons behind it), from this issue onwards, we travel back in time to give you a perspective of what it would be to be a tourist in Madrid, Spain in 1621 in our Ye Olde Travel Guide.

Happy reading!

In this issue of BBC Knowledge magazine, we look at the Incredible Truth About Time and how it is responsible for the origins of the Universe and us. Scientists delve into the societal behaviour of ants in Smarty Ants and come up with new innovations to improve human lives. Take a look at our Gadgets - a travel special, to make a note of gadgets you need for your next vacation. Fancy being an astronaut? We list he occupational hazards of working at 370km above Earth at the International Space Station. We introduce a new section starting this issue - In Focus, where we chronicle the contribution of individuals who have left their legacy in the world; we look at J Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Happy Reading!

We are 3 years old! In this issue, we unravel the mysteries of the Universe in our How Do We special. Right from the Age of the Earth, to the finding out the Speed of Light, to deconstructing the Structure of An Atom and How the Continents Formed amongst others. We also look at the Milestones (the discovery of the wheel, to the invention of zero and the internet) that changed and shaped the 21st century. From launch of the people\'s car Maruti, to beginnings of Air India and the billion dollar industry that is the IPL. We look at the risk-takers and leaders behind events and ideas that have molded the growth of modern India. Also check out our list of the top 10 gadgets to have for the 2013 and much more in this exciting issue!

In this issue, we tell you that Money can indeed buy you Happiness. Elisabeth Dunn and Michael Norton explain how choosing to spend money on experiences over materials or products can give you more everlasting happiness. Another page turning delight is the list of 10 Most Annoying Noises that is sure to make your ears curl up. 
Also walk on the historic and by gone lanes of the walled city of Shahjahanabad. 
We break down the four lobes of the human brain in this issue, detailing their functions with easy to understand examples as we get Inside the Human Brain. 
Home Invaders aren\'t necessarily visible to your naked eye. we look under the microscope to see what bugs are living in our homes rent free.

Rise of the superhuman, Meet your next smartphone, How to build an unsinkable ship, Ocean in motion, Behind the bars, Big red roos and more...

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BBC Knowledge is a magazine for young inquisitive minds where well-researched, handpicked stories are matched with breath-taking visuals to cover science, history and nature. Written by renowned International and Indian experts, its wide range of features provides riveting and up-to-date information on topics as varied as technology, archaeology, natural history and space exploration. With material meant to stimulate the mind, BBC Knowledge looks to empower a generation of young readers.

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is the World's largest and fastest growing self-service, cross-platform digital newsstand with over 88 million users since its inception in 2011 and thousands of magazines and newspapers across 40+ categories and 60+ languages. Headquartered in New York, Magzter has its local presence in Amsterdam, London, Mexico City, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Singapore, and will soon be expanding to other countries. Founded by global entrepreneurs, Girish Ramdas and Vijay Radhakrishnan in June 2011, Magzter enables magazine and newspaper publishers around the world to create and deliver digital editions of their titles to global consumers.

n. We will also use usage information in order to ensure users adhere to our Terms of Use. For example, a user’s usage information will help us confirm that a user only downloads a magazine or other content a permitted number of times or to a permitted number of devices.

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{{magzter}} is the World's largest and fastest growing self-service, cross-platform digital newsstand with over 88 million users since its inception in 2011 and thousands of magazines and newspapers across 40+ categories and 60+ languages. Headquartered in New York, Magzter has its local presence in Amsterdam, London, Mexico City, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Singapore, and will soon be expanding to other countries. Founded by global entrepreneurs, Girish Ramdas and Vijay Radhakrishnan in June 2011, Magzter enables magazine and newspaper publishers around the world to create and deliver digital editions of their titles to global consumers.

BBC Knowledge Magazine - August 2013

BBC Knowledge Magazine - August 2013

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