CATEGORIES

ALIEN PLANET DEBRIS DISCOVERED DEEP UNDER EARTH'S CRUST

A planetary collision so big that it formed the Moon also left behind remnants that changed Earth's mantle

SCIENTISTS FINALLY FIND WHERE A STARFISH KEEPS ITS HEAD

Compelling research into their genes sheds light on the echinoderm’s enigmatic physiology

STUDY REVEALS WHAT REALLY KILLED THE DINOSAURS

It wasn't the meteor's impact, but the colossal clouds of dust it kicked up into the atmosphere that drove the mass extinction 66 million years ago

UNDER ΤΗΕ HOOD OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

As the busiest year in the history of artificial intelligence (AI) comes to a close, Prof Mike Wooldridge prepares to deliver the Royal Institution's first Christmas Lecture on the subject. Noa Leach sat down with him to get a preview of the demonstrations his talks will include and an insight into how he thinks AI is going to change the world for children

WHAT IS DECISION PARALYSIS AND HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT?

If you've ever gone online to order something during a work break - let's say a new electric toothbrush - expecting it to be fairly straightforward, but instead you found yourself overwhelmed by the huge number of choices and options available, you've experienced decision paralysis.

A BLUEPRINT FOR ANTI-AGEING

SCIENCE SAYS IT'S TIME TO RETHINK - AND TAKE CONTROL OF - OUR BODY'S AGE. HERE'S HOW TO SLOW, HALT AND POTENTIALLY TURN BACK YOUR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK

STRANGE RUMBLINGS

Earth-shattering seismic events can occur away from the fault lines between tectonic plates. And there's no easy way to predict when or where they'll hit

SCROLL REVERSAL

Losing days by endlessly scrolling on your smartphone? You're not alone. Perhaps neuroscience can help us beat the urge...

Water, Water, Everywhere?

Penny Wozniakiewicz investigates why astronomers are so concerned with finding water in the Solar System, and why it is vital to our exploration of space

Swirling supernova's secret sibling

A companion could be responsible for Puppis A's overlapping rings

No call for sea legs on Titan

Expect to find gentle breezes and calm seas on Saturn's largest moon

A December GRAND TOUR

Just like the epic journeys of the Voyager probes to our Solar System's outer planets, this tour takes you to the gas and ice giants as they line up in the night sky this month. Stuart Atkinson is your guide

Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION

Great eyepieces are crucial to any astronomical setup. Here Tim Jardine arms you with the info you need to choose the best ones to invest in

Rare cosmic explosion deepens a mystery

One of the Universe's brightest outbursts seen in an unexpected location

THREE'S COMPANY

Galaxy pair Arp-Madore 2339-661 is actually a galaxy trio

The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB

Left over from the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background gives astronomers an insight into the entire history of our Universe. Ezzy Pearson explains

Plans for an all-UK space mission set in motion

Four British astronauts could soon be heading into orbit

Same stars, different stories

Maggie Aderin-Pocock considers how other cultures interpret the night sky

INSIDE THE SKY AT NIGHT

Host of science podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage Robin Ince joined his co-host Brian Cox on the November episode of The Sky at Night

Venus's hostile atmosphere

Katrin Raynor takes a look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid

THE BIG THREE

The top sights to observe or image this month

Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope

This beginners' package has everything you need to see the Sun, Moon and planets

Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian

A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget

Use freeware to create star trail images

How to turn your frames into beautiful star trail photos in a few clicks

O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER

On 14 October 2023, an annular eclipse passed across mainland USA. Comedian and stargazer Jon Culshaw was there to witness it

The Power of Caffeine

For many, caffeine is considered a guilty pleasure. But there is growing evidence that our daily fix isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might actually be doing us some good

HELLO DARKNESS.MY OLD FRIEND

With the evenings drawing in, could embracing the darkness be good for you?

HAMMERHEAD BAT

With a face that wouldn't look out of place among the Notre Dame gargoyles, the hammerhead bat is what the French would call 'jolie laide'.

WHAT IS ASHEN LIGHT?

The 'ashen light', or AL, is a faint, mysterious glow, or colouration, seen in the night-side hemisphere of the planet Venus.

DEAR DOCTOR

IS IT REALLY BETTER TO HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT BRACE FOR THE WORST?