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Viking ProjectNASA's Viking project was a two-part mission that sent spacecraft to Mars to map its surface, collect atmospheric data, and search for signs of life.
Named after the Norse explorers, the identical Viking 1 and 2 spacecraft launched in 1975. Each consisted of a lander with scientific instruments and an orbiter with high-resolution cameras and communication relays to transmit data.
The landers were the first in history to transmit data from the Martian surface, including results from life-detection experiments conducted on samples of Martian soil, which provided no definitive evidence of life.
The orbiters mapped 97% of the planet, directly observing volcanoes, lava plains, and geological features like river valley networks and canyons. These features—created from rainfall and flooding on Earth—indicated the presence of significant surface water in Mars' past.Explore Viking Project
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Fantasy and science fiction are distinct genres, though they sometimes overlapFantasy stories take place in universes where magic exists; science fiction stories take place in universes that are still grounded in the physics of our world. In science fiction, supernatural powers have scientific explanations. Think of “Spiderman”: Peter Parker gains his powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Writer's DigestThe science behind ghosts, exploredEvery culture has them—restless spirits, haunted houses, things that go bump in the night. But why do we believe in ghosts? Psychologist and skeptic Dr. Chris French joins host Sony Kassam to explore the science behind the supernatural, from sleep paralysis and hallucinations to the brain’s pattern-making instincts. 1440 Daily'The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity. It's our attempt to influence things, the universe internal to ourselves and external to us.'- Mae Jemison (1956-present), the first Black woman in space TumblrThe science of bubblesBubbles have three layers: a water layer in the middle of two soapy ones. The parts of the soap molecules that like water—their hydrophilic sides—orient toward the water, forcing whatever shape the bubble starts as into a sphere. ThoughtCoThe complex science of snow removalPlowing snow seems simple, but its actually a technically complex task and requires significant logistics, patience, and funding. New York City's 19,000 miles of roads require days to plow at a cost of $12M per inch of fallen snow, and roughly 17 million tons of salt were applied to road surfaces across the US in a recent year. Dive into the details of snow removal with an in-depth and funny video. Half as InterestingThe science behind why some noises have color namesDifferent noise colors (white, brown, pink, blue) have been proven to affect mood and focus. An audiologist explains that these sounds are named after specific light wave frequencies. While individual preferences vary, certain noises consistently impact sleep, stress reduction, cognitive performance, and problem-solving. The article highlights how these sounds can enhance productivity, relaxation, and even gaming experiences. TechRadarThe science of addiction treatmentA helpful resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (part of the NIH). This article examines addiction treatment and recovery through the science behind several accepted methods. The guide draws helpful comparisons with other chronic disease treatments. In particular, it discusses the overlap between medications and therapeutic treatments, and the understanding that relapse doesn’t indicate treatment failure—only a need for continued or modified care. National Institutes of HealthHow science came to understand umamiBefore Dr. Kikunae Ikeda sat down in 1907 and pondered the taste of dashi, scientists typically agreed upon four types of taste: sweet, salty, bitter, and sour. He boiled 90 pounds of kelp into a resin that he then stripped of different compounds until he was left with a single ounce of brown crystals. Testing later revealed these crystals were glutamate, an amino acid and one of the protein's building blocks. Science History InstituteThe science (and scams) behind essential oilsEssential oils are a big business, with industry estimates pegging its market size at $10B last year—a number expected to double by 2030. These distilled plant compounds have a long history of both legitimate and exaggerated uses, and many marketed oils are, as the author of this long read claims, just selling wish fulfillment. Revisit some of the history and contemporary use of essential oils with this piece. Science History InstituteThe science (and sci-fi) of surgical robotsRobert Heinlein's 1942 short story "Waldo" imagined a person with a muscle weakness disease creating and using a robotic arm to overcome their physical limitations. Within two decades, human-controlled robotic arms had become a reality. Since then, the field of surgical robots has leaped forward, allowing surgeons to train for and perform a wide variety of delicate procedures from afar. This 27-minute interview explores the science (and sci-fi) of surgical robotics, which have shrunk incision sizes and healing time. YouTubeHow race science influences breast cancer researchDespite researchers' and physicians' pushback, race is still used in studies and clinics to categorize human differences in health conditions and treatment responses. This article explores how race has influenced breast cancer research. Considering race as a factor in cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment can lead to racial inequalities. Sociocultural factors, including food access and air pollution, greatly influence health outcomes. Undark MagazineThe science and ethics of artificial wombsArtificial wombs may be able to help preterm babies survive their early entry into the world and possibly curb the long-term adverse health effects associated with such premature birth. This article dives into the current ethics and science behind artificial wombs and ectogenesis, which is when a fetus develops in artificial conditions. Undark MagazineThe science of food allergiesWhy do certain substances trigger an immune response while others don't? Listen to researchers explain the science in this five-minute video. Food allergies affect around 8% of children and 2% of adults in the US, and—unlike sensitivity or intolerance—they involve the immune system mistaking certain harmless proteins in foods as dangerous invaders, triggering a rapid and sometimes severe defense response. SeekerThe science behind the movie 'Interstellar'Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi action film "Interstellar" relies on real science for its wild space-time travel. This infographic dives into the physics basis of the fictionalized Gargantua black hole, the relativity effect, and more. Space.comThe science of springtime, 101Dive into the basics on springtime including the astronomy that brings it about, natural signs of spring's arrival, and some of the cultural approaches to the season. Live ScienceThe science of spring feverResearchers have confirmed what people have sensed for ages: Our emotions during the springtime can go a little wild. This piece breaks down the impact of the seasonal transition on our bodies and prescribes a few ways to mitigate the effects. MediumThe science of optical illusionsThe human brain has developed cognitive shortcuts to help us navigate in a world where our visual senses are constantly bombarded of information. But these shortcuts can also be exploited, tricking the brain into telling us something is happening when it really isn't. This short video unpacks the neuroscience behind some of the most common (but perplexing) optical illusions. YouTubeThe science of fearThe Hidden Brain podcast team explores the science of fear by traveling to a haunted house curated by a scientist to investigate what scares us, and why some people enjoy this sensation more than others. Hidden BrainHow science explains déjà vuTake a fun look at the science explaining the odd experience of déjà vu, which some theories suggest is actually a sign of a healthy brain. YouTubeThe science of dogs, from wolf origins to color-blindnessThis under 10-minute podcast episode dives into the rich, fascinating science behind dogs: From their world-class sense of smell to their domestication from wolves. CosmosThe science of symmetryNature is full of symmetries, from spiral galaxies to florets of broccoli. So why do complex creatures break the pattern?This short video discusses why symmetry came to dominate life on Earth, and how many complex life forms, such as humans, transitioned from radial to lateral symmetry. AeonThe science behind a viral spray-on dress at Paris Fashion WeekThis mode of dressing caught worldwide attention: one model's dress at Paris Fashion Week was sprayed-on mid-show. Here's how it worked. Bored PandaThe science on the connections between extreme weather and climate changeThe new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the science of climate change lands in the aftermath of a series of deadly extreme weather events around the world. Carbon BriefClimate science 101: climate change, its impacts, and potential solutionsHow do we know that this warming is happening and that it’s caused by humans? How strong is the evidence? What risks can we expect and what can we do about them? Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe science of fearUnderstanding the physiological processes behind the sense of fear, and how to manage it. ScienceForThePeopleScience determines the cutest dog breedsSome dog breeds are objectively more adorable than others—at least according to the Golden Ratio. Mental FlossScience thinks it may know why time flies as we get olderA Duke University researcher proposes that the perception of time passing faster as one gets older is due to the slowing down of image processing in the human brain. According to the researcher, the apparent longer duration of childhood days is attributed to the rapid processing of experiences during youth. As the human body ages, changes in the brain's neural pathways result in slower processing of new mental images, leading to a sense of time passing quickly. Read this article to learn more about why time seems to fly by. Duke UniversityTough week? Science has determined the 10 happiest songsMusic preferences are subjective, but there are certain quantifiable metrics that help us identify the best upbeat songs. Mental FlossScience says being a jerk doesn't pay offThe evidence is in: Nice guys and gals don’t finish last, and being a selfish jerk doesn’t get you ahead. A longitudinal study lasting for more than a decade revealed subjects who displayed manipulative, selfish, or combative behavior were less successful professionally than control groups—a finding that held even in highly competitive organizations. UC BerkeleyThe basic science of rocketsHow do rockets work? What is the science behind a rocket launch? How does a rocket go into space? In this short and simple video, we discuss the science of rocket propulsion and what takes to get these vehicles into orbit. YouTubeThe surprising science behind Pop RocksHave you ever wondered why Pop Rocks makes tiny explosions in your mouth? Well, there’s actually pressurized carbon dioxide bubbles trapped within the sugary candy. This 19-second video shows you what Pop Rocks look like under a microscope. YouTubeScience solves the fascinating mystery of goose bumps.Researchers have found that the same cell types that cause goose bumps are responsible for controlling hair growth. Harvard UniversityTop strategies on how to deal with other people's big feelingsThis podcast offers insights on how to effectively talk to others when they're experiencing powerful emotions, and how to simultaneously protect yourself in those situations.
Efforts to build touch-enabled machines highlight the complexity of human touchThe challenges that engineers are facing as they try to reproduce a human's ability to touch and also give robots the ability to interpret that kind of sensory flow are furthering our understanding of the myriad intricacies of human touch—and the challenges in emulating it. The ConversationThe sun and Earth's liquid outer core help create the northern and southern lightsEarth's magnetosphere, generated by the movement of molten iron deep within the planet, consists of a magnetic field that deflects charged particles north and south. Some of the particles released by the sun in the solar wind become trapped in this field and are propelled toward the poles, where they produce auroras through collisions with atmospheric particles. Be SmartHeadache disorders have historically been neglected and under-researchedConfusion between the variety of headaches—from mild discomfort to debilitating pain—and gender bias—migraines primarily affect women—have led to widespread misunderstandings of the medical issue. Medical students in the US may get as little as 30 minutes of instruction on the three major types: migraines, cluster headaches, and tension-type headaches. Science QuicklyPhotochemical smog forms when sunlight reacts with car and industrial emissionsThe hazy phenomenon's name is a combination of "smoke" and "fog" and is composed of chemical pollutants that can cause eye irritation, lung damage and harm to crops. Smog buildup is more common in cities with sunny climates, minimal wind and surrounding mountains that trap these chemicals. TED-EdDefiance is choosing to act in line with your values under pressureCompliance often arises from insinuation anxiety and social pressure, making defiance critical in protecting personal integrity and, in turn, strengthening institutions. Practicing defiance may be achieved through the Defiance Compass framework and can lead to a more values-driven society. The ConversationRoughly 40% of basic US research is federally fundedBasic research aims to produce new knowledge for it's own sake, as opposed to applied research, which seeks direct application. Private businesses make up the bulk of the rest of the funding. The ConversationDiphtheria was once a leading childhood killer before antibiotics and vaccines In 18th- and 19th-century outbreaks, some New England families lost as many as eight children to diphtheria, and fatality rates in hospitals often topped 60%. The invention of antitoxins, penicillin, and vaccines dramatically reduced deaths.
Smithsonian MagazineSimilarities in reactivity complicate separating rare earths from oresThe proximity of these elements in the periodic table mean they have similar electron structure and require complex separation processes during processing. However, their uncommon magnetic, luminescent, and electrical properties make them invaluable for critical industrial applications. Science History InstituteNoise-canceling headphones cancel out environmental sounds with sound of its ownIf sound waves are perfectly out of sync, they can undergo destructive interference, canceling each other out. A microphone in noise-canceling headphones picks up external sounds, and an out-of-sync version is emitted to cancel them out in your ears. Insider TechObservations from Hubble contributed to Pluto's demotion from planetary statusBefore the flyby of Pluto by the New Horizons spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope provided images of Pluto and its moon Charon, which was similar in size. Rather than a unique ninth planet, Pluto became reclassified as a dwarf planet, like many similar objects in the Kuiper Belt. Astronomy CastVegan cheesemaking relies heavily on nuts and seedsWe might associate vegan cheese with current health trends, but there’s actually been a small-but-growing market for plant-based cheeses since the 19th century. But for vegan cheeses to appeal to a wider demographic, they have to compete with the familiar flavors and textures of dairy cheeses. Cheese ScientistSnowflakes form when water vapor turns directly into iceEvery water molecule has a slightly bent shape due to electron repulsion and regularly forms bonds with hydrogen molecules. When they freeze, they form a six-sided (or hexagonal) lattice, resulting in the six-sided symmetry of snowflakes. As the snowflake falls, more water molecules freeze onto its six sides, forming the unique, beautiful geometric designs. TED-EdScientific advances have transformed understanding of Stonehenge’s buildersTechniques such as radiocarbon dating, DNA analysis, and isotopic testing have revised scholars' understanding of Stonehenge. This article presents evidence suggesting that societies were more cooperative and less violent than earlier theories had suggested. The GuardianDrs. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier discuss CRISPRJennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier's were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize for research focused on understanding and adapting the CRISPR-Cas9 system to precisely edit DNA sequences in other organisms. Doudna has indicated that the system can potentially treat genetic forms of blindness and high cholesterol. TED Audio CollectiveNeuralink's N1 chip can wirelessly read brain signals from over 2,000 electrodesThe device is a battery-powered brain implant that transmits data via Bluetooth. Neuralink's near-term objectives for the device focus on unlocking new treatments for paralysis, neurological disorders, and some psychiatric conditions. WIREDThe research that led to sourScientists are trying to figure out if there are unique receptors that respond to the molecules that make up flavors we associate with calcium, blood, batteries, and other items that often escape dinner menus. Taste researcher Dr. Danielle Reed says the minimum evidence for a taste category typically involves identifying dedicated receptors and then removing them to show the taste vanishes. Short Wave"Plaques" and "tangles" are top potential causes of Alzheimer's—but questions remainThe exact causes of Alzheimer's—and how to treat it—continue to be the subject of intense research. Two leading factors are amyloid beta plaques and tau protein tangles, which effectively pile up in the brain and interfere with neurons and cause cell death, which manifests as memory loss and other symptoms. Nature
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