SCIENCE
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Ask Ethan: Why do gravitational lenses make crosses, not rings?
Gravitational lenses arise when foreground masses and background light sources properly align. Einstein rings are rare, but crosses abound. Continue…
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The four paths forward for US scientists in 2026
US science is worth fighting for, but so are the science projects and scientists denied opportunities. Here are 4 paths…
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Ask Ethan: What does “gravitationally bound” mean in the expanding Universe?
When objects are gravitationally bound, they cannot escape from one another’s influence. How does that work within the expanding Universe?…
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Cosmic dust: “too much, too soon” no longer!
Even the youngest galaxies are often dust-rich, even with very low levels of heavy elements. Nearby dwarf galaxy Sextans A…
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Ask Ethan: Why is there no such thing as antigravity?
In general relativity, matter and energy curve spacetime, which we experience as gravity. Why can’t there be an “antigravity” force?…
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10 quantum myths that must die in the new year
The very word “quantum” makes people’s imaginations run wild. But chances are you’ve fallen for at least one of these…
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The trick to identifying JWST images in an instant
If you can identify a foreground star, the spike patterns are a dead giveaway as to whether it’s a JWST…
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Ask Ethan: Why does something exist instead of nothing?
Perhaps the most remarkable fact about the Universe is simply that it, and everything in it, exists. But what’s the…
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The simplest explanation for ultra-high-energy cosmic rays
The highest-energy particles could be a sign of new, unexpected physics. But the simplest, most mundane explanation is particularly… Continue…
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Ask Ethan: Can stars form within the expanding Universe?
Our Universe doesn’t just expand and cool, but the expansion itself is accelerating. Can stars form under such structure-erasing… Continue…
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