Universe

Karl Jansky, the Galileo of radio astronomy, was the first to wrench astronomy away from its dependence on the optical spectrum, beyond the narrow band of electromagnetic radiation visible to the human eye.

Chasing Galaxies

The legacy of "Brian Tinsley's clever wife"

Spacecraft Behaving Badly

Could strange new physics be affecting a pair of distant space probes?

Little Neutral Ones

In John Updike's memorable description, "The earth is just a silly ball/To them, through which they simply pass."

The Perimeter of Ignorance

Scientists face a choice: invoke a deity or continue the quest for knowledge

Cosmic Perspective

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how embracing cosmic realities can enlighten our view of human life.

Beep Beep

An Internet guide to Sputnik and other early satellites

Fellow Traveler

Fifty years ago this month, the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik 1, the world's first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite. Shocked into action, the U.S. ramped up its space program—and its science education.