What We're Reading

The fine-structure constant is about 10 times its normal value in a type of material called quantum spin ice, physicists calculate. The new calculation hints that quantum spin ice could give a glimpse at physics within an alternate universe where the constant is much larger.

The mathematician Ingrid Daubechies’ pioneering work in signal processing helped make our electronic world possible — and beat a path for women in the field.

Scientists have long been puzzled by flying blobs of magma that remained intact, but didn’t have a good way to study them.

Scientists at UC Santa Cruz, the Flatiron Institute and Harvard University used 3D printing to create detailed resin spheres of stellar nurseries using data collected from these star-forming regions of space.

Theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander delves into a thought experiment concerning gravitons, virtual reality and Incan khipu.

A laser experiment could help scientists understand how the subatomic particles reach high energies

A radioactive isotope profoundly affected the origin and evolution of our solar system. Now, scientists at the Flatiron Institute, the University of Vienna and UC Santa Cruz have spotted it in a system of budding stars.

Electrons from a droplet of sodium and potassium turn water into a metallic material that conducts electricity.

First-principles plasma simulations show that black holes can’t keep their magnetic fields, according to a new study from researchers at the Flatiron Institute, Columbia University and Princeton University.

Calculating angular velocity and the moment of inertia isn’t quite as hard as competing in the Olympic gymnastics tournament — but it’s pretty darn tough.