The Truth Physics Can No Longer Ignore
The fundamental nature of living things challenges assumptions that physicists have held for centuries.
Latest
Illustration by Anna Ruch / The Atlantic. Sources: Manuel Nieberle / Miles Matsui Schleifer / Connected Archives; De Agostini / Getty. America Is Killing Its Chance to Find Alien Life
Cuts to NASA mean that the U.S. likely won’t build the next great space observatory.
Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic. Source: Getty. To Find Alien Intelligence, Start With the Mountains
The key to complex life might be hiding miles below our feet.
Illustration by Lucy Murray Willis / The Atlantic. Source: Getty. The Most Dazzling Eclipse in the Universe
Anyone who watches the moon glide over the sun on April 8 will be witnessing the planetary version of a lightning strike.
SADIQ ASYRAF / AFP / Getty The Universe Is Nothing Without Us
I was called to science to seek a truth that transcended humanity. What I found instead is much more rewarding.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Getty. Humans Are Ready to Find Alien Life
We finally have the tools we need. Now scientists just need to watch and wait.
Photo-illustration by Jared Bartman / The Atlantic. Source: Getty. Scientists Found Ripples in Space and Time. And You Have to Buy Groceries.
We’ve just learned that the whole universe is humming around us. Now what?
Bill Ingalls / NASA / Getty How to Build Manhattan in Space
First, you’ll need an asteroid and a very big bag.
Illustration by The Atlantic; Getty; shutterstock The Universe Is More in Our Hands Than Ever Before
Astronomy is in a new era. It involves giant lasers.
Getty; The Atlantic Should We Be Searching for Smart Aliens or Dumb Aliens?
There are two ways to look for extraterrestrial life. We’ve been focusing on only one.
Steven Beckwith / HUDF / NASA and ESA; Joanne Imperio / The Atlantic
/media/img/mt/2023/10/AlienPollution_Final_101923_2-1/original.gif)
/media/img/mt/2022/09/searching_aliens_2/original.gif)