Physics & Math

8 Ways Scientists Look at—But Don't Yet See—Dark Matter

06.22.2009 Scientists hunt for the unseen matter that glues together the cosmos. But some wonder whether it even exists.

by Stephen Ornes

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The Man Who Found Quarks and Made Sense of the Universe

Murray Gell-Mann had a smash success with particles, notorious dustups with Feynman, and a missed opportunity with Einstein. 03.17.2009

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Time

The beginning, the end, and the funny habits of our favorite ticking force. 03.12.2009

Metamaterial Revolution: The New Science of Making Anything Disappear

Engineers are working with metamaterials to create super-microscopes, optical computers, and yes, invisibility cloaks. 03.10.2009

The Kilogram Isn't What It Used to Be—It's Lighter

Within a high-security, climate-controlled vault in France, the perfect kilogram is getting ever so slightly less massive—and no one knows why. 03.08.2009

What is This? A Psychedelic Place Mat?

Actually, you'd be more likely to see this pattern in your wine glass. 01.14.2009

Is Quantum Mechanics Controlling Your Thoughts?

Science's weirdest realm may be responsible for photosynthesis, our sense of smell, and even consciousness itself. 01.13.2009

The Father of Dark Matter Still Gets No Respect

Little-acknowledged Fritz Zwicky got there first on dark matter, neutron stars, and supernovas. 12.31.2008

The Year in Physics

Hunting the "God particle," seeking invisibility, instant communication, and more. 12.25.2008

#2: The LHC Begins Its Search for the "God Particle"

After many years and billions of dollars, the LHC had its fateful first test run. 12.22.2008

#39: Amazonian Tribe Doesn't Have Words for Numbers

The Pirahã people overturned scientists' belief about human cognition. 12.15.2008

#43: Next-Level Quantum Spookiness

Photons instantaneously send signals over 11 miles. Einstein remains perplexed. 12.14.2008

#69: Physicists Create a Perfect Place to Store Electricity

New "superinsulator" can hold a charge forever without leakage 12.10.2008

#70: A Single Electron Is Caught on Film

Scientists make one of the world's most remarkable movies. 12.10.2008

Inside the World of Stephen Hawking

The world's most famous theoretical physicist will make you think—and laugh. 11.25.2008

20 Best Brains Under 40

Young innovators are changing everything from theoretical mathematics to cancer therapy. 11.20.2008

The Man Who Led the Second Superstring Revolution

Inside the mind of Ed Witten, the "best physicist of his generation." 11.13.2008



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