Physics & Math / String Theory

Welcome to the Multiverse

Could our universe be just one of a multitude, each with its own reality? It may sound like fiction, but there is hard science behind this outlandish idea. 10.18.2011

The 100 Top Science Stories of 2010

Every year DISCOVER sorts through the scientific accomplishments of the past 12 months, and assembles a list of the coolest experiments, most brilliant discoveries, and most world-changing events. As you page through the countdown to the #1 science story, we think you'll come to the same conclusion we did: 2010 was quite a year. 12.16.2010

Physicists Are Close to Uncovering the Fundamental Rules of Reality

String theorist Brian Greene on his hopes for science over the next 30 years 09.14.2010

Discover Interview: The Math Behind the Physics Behind the Universe

Shing-Tung Yau explains how he discovered the hidden dimensions of string theory. 04.27.2010

The Man Who Plucks All the Strings

Brian Greene says string theory is still scientific even if it's not falsifiable. 03.09.2010

A Tumultuous Year at the LHC

Physicist Lisa Randall describes the turbulent first year after the collider's premature celebration. 11.12.2009

Discover Interview: Roger Penrose Says Physics Is Wrong, From String Theory to Quantum Mechanics

One of the greatest thinkers in physics says the human brain—and the universe itself—must function according to some theory we haven't yet discovered. 10.06.2009

The Man Who Led the Second Superstring Revolution

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

Science's Alternative to an Intelligent Creator: the Multiverse Theory

Our universe is perfectly tailored for life. That may be the work of God or the result of our universe being one of many. 11.10.2008

Nevermind The Black Hole Hoopla: Here's How the LHC Could Blow Up the World (of Physics)

The collider might find extra dimensions, dark matter, some unknown unknown, and—just maybe—nothing at all. 09.10.2008

An Essential, Concise History of the LHC, 2002–2008

DISCOVER's been all over the Large Hadron Collider since it was just a big hole in the ground. 09.10.2008

The Extremely Long Odds Against the Destruction of Earth

Don't be too concerned that the world’s largest particle accelerator is about to go online. 07.24.2008

Nothingness of Space Could Illuminate the Theory of Everything

Could the vacuum contain dark energy, gravity particles, and frictionless gears? 07.18.2008

Smacking Down Stephen Hawking

Leonard Susskind's new book gets personal. 07.17.2008

3 Ideas That Are Pushing the Edge of Science

Medical bots powered by sperm, clean fusion power, and two-dimensional time. 05.29.2008

Has the Einstein Revolution Gone Too Far?

Einstein ended science's devotion to experience; it may now be time to come back. 04.01.2008

3 Theories That Might Blow Up the Big Bang

Time may not have a beginning—and it might not exist at all. 03.25.2008

Einstein Didn't Grok His Own Revolution

He thought black holes and quantum mechanics were too weird to be true. 03.10.2008

Could the Next Einstein Be a Surfer Dude?

Six iconoclasts who could revolutionize physics—again. 02.26.2008

Interview: Janna Levin

The physicist talks about her work on the creation of the universe, her award-winning fiction, and being on The Colbert Report. 07.17.2007

Jaron's World: Shapes in Other Dimensions

Meet a 'regular' shape that lives in 4-D. 04.05.2007

The Discover Interview: Lisa Randall

One of physics' brightest stars ventures into 10 dimensions, visits other universes, explains gravity, and keeps her sense of humor. 07.29.2006

Discover Dialogue: Mathematician Peter Woit

"No one has a plausible idea about how string theory can explain anything." 02.20.2006

Testing String Theory

Advocates say vibrating strings underlie every particle and every force in the universe. But will anyone ever be able to prove that? 08.30.2005

Black Holes Made Here

(Deliveries begin in 2007) 06.26.2004

Gravity Leaks

06.01.2001