Science & Nature
Which Planet Has the Shortest Year?
Small, robust, and named for the fastest Roman god, the planet with the shortest year happens to be one of the most scientifically interesting.
The 10 Most Hurricane-Prone States in the US
A look at the 10 U.S. states most often hit by hurricanes, with context on storm history, coastal risk, and conditions behind landfall today.
Could Saturn's Rings Eventually Disappear?
Discover why Saturn’s iconic rings may eventually disappear, how ring rain works, and what scientists think could happen next.
Yellow Anaconda
Meet the yellow anaconda, the green anaconda's smaller golden cousin. A guide to this South American water boa's size, habitat, diet, and behavior.
Could a Planet Exist Without a Star?
Rogue planets drift through space without stars, raising questions about darkness, hidden heat, liquid water, and life beyond solar systems.
The 10 Most Poisonous Fruits In The World
While some of these fruits are safe to consume, overconsumption can lead to some serious health risks. It's important to inform yourself about the food you're eating.
Why Can't We See the Edge of the Universe?
Current cosmology indicates that the universe has no edge. Learn why the observable horizon, expanding space, and dark energy limit what can be seen.
10 US Cities Most Prone To Sea-Level Rise
Here are the top ten cities in the US that were predicted to be the most vulnerable to coastal flooding by 2050, by ClimateCentral.org, in 2017.
What's the Emptiest Place in Space?
Cosmic voids are the universe’s emptiest regions. Learn how the Boötes Void formed and why these vast spaces matter to science.
Tasmanian Tiger
The Tasmanian tiger is an extinct carnivorous marsupial species native to Australia. It lived in Tasmania until European settlement.
The Worst Fires in US History
Terrible fires have been responsible for large losses of life in American history.
Why JWST Found Carbon Dioxide On An Exoplanet
JWST detected carbon dioxide on WASP-39 b, proving it can study distant exoplanet atmospheres and search for signs of life.
Carpet Python
Carpet pythons are among the most variable pythons, with six recognized subspecies, diverse color patterns, and adaptations to a wide range of habitats.
Why Alligators Only Live In Two Places On Earth
Alligators live in just two places on Earth, the US and China, and the reason goes back 33 million years. Discover the deep history behind their strange range.
What's the Brightest Object in the Sky?
The Sun outshines the Moon, Venus, Sirius, and the ISS. Learn how magnitude, luminosity, and distance reveal the sky’s brightest object.
Strange Animals That Actually Live In The US
The United States is home to several animals, including 1,154 fish species, 311 reptiles, 100,000 insect species, 295 amphibian species, 800 bird species, and 432 mammal species. Learn about some of the countries strangest wildlife in this article.
Giant Panda
Explore the life of the giant panda, including its habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, conservation success, and future threats.
Which Planet Has the Worst Weather?
Venus has the worst weather in the solar system with acid clouds, crushing pressure, violent winds, and heat hot enough to melt lead.
Electric Eel
Learn how electric eels use powerful shocks, electroreception, and air breathing to hunt, navigate, and survive in South America’s waters.
The Most Mysterious Signals Ever Detected From Space
Humanity, for as long as it has been conscious of the stars, has postulated that they may contain alien life. Mysterious signals may be our first sign.
Iguana
Iguanas are fascinating reptiles known for their climbing abilities, herbivorous diets, unique behaviors, and important role in tropical ecosystems.
What The Bennu Samples Are Telling Us About Life's Origins
Bennu samples returned by NASA reveal ancient stardust, water-linked minerals, and life-building chemistry from the early solar system.
Goliath Tigerfish
With razor-sharp teeth and a powerful bite, the goliath tigerfish is one of Africa's most formidable freshwater predators.
Why Vera Rubin Will See More Of The Sky Than Any Telescope Before It
Vera Rubin will turn the southern sky into a living time-lapse, revealing what moves, explodes, or hides in darkness between one night and the next.
Black Rhino
Learn about the black rhino's habitat, diet, behavior, conservation status, and recovery efforts for one of Africa's most endangered mammals.
Is the Universe Getting Bigger?
The universe is getting bigger, and space itself is doing the stretching. Discover why expansion is speeding up and how the cosmos may end.
Chameleon
Chameleons are incredible creatures that have the power to blend into different environments, along with a tongue that can extend to twice their body length.
Arctic Wolf
The arctic wolf can withstand extreme freezing temperatures and harsh environments, making them a unique subspecies of wolf.
Could the Moon Ever Drift Away?
Learn why the Moon drifts 1.5 inches away from Earth each year and how it has lengthened Earth's days, changed the tides, and shaped eclipses.
Sidewinder
Learn about the sidewinder rattlesnake's habitat, diet, behavior, venom, reproduction, and unique sidewinding movement.
What Hera Will Find At The Asteroid DART Crashed Into
NASA's DART mission successfully altered an asteroid's orbit. See how ESA's Hera mission is examining the collision to improve planetary defense.
Beaked Sea Snake
Beaked sea snakes move through muddy Indo-Pacific shallows, using potent venom, a hooked snout, and a paddle tail to hunt coastal fish with precision.
Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictors are powerful live-bearing snakes with complex taxonomy, diverse habitats, and key roles in wild ecosystems.
Coral Snake
Explore the world of coral snakes, from their vivid coloration and venom to their habitat, diet, behavior, and conservation.
Indian Rhino
The Indian rhinoceros, once near extinction, is now listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and has recovered to about 4,075 individuals in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The 9 Most Venomous Snakes In The United States
The four main categories of potent strikers in the United States are rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, and coral snakes.
Why Venus Became A Hellish Planet
The planet Venus is downright hellish due to its thick atmosphere, high temperatures, volcanoes, and sulphuric clouds that rain acid.
Why Mars Lost Most Of Its Atmosphere
Mars once had thicker air and flowing water. Then its magnetic shield failed, and the Sun slowly stripped the planet into the frozen desert we see today.
Could Humans Survive on Europa?
Humanity's search to discover other habitable planets has led us to Europa, a moon of Jupiter's which may contain a saltwater ocean which supports life.