Sep 4, 2020 12:00 PM

The End of the Universe Will Probably Disappoint Sci-Fi Fans

Sorry, folks: There probably won't be a Big Crunch.

Comments

The Geek's Guide to the Galaxy is a podcast hosted by author David Barr Kirtley and produced by Lightspeed Magazine editor John Joseph Adams. The show features conversations about fantasy & science fiction in books, movies, games, and comics, as well as related subjects such as science, history, and critical thinking. Guests have included Neil ... Read More

TopicsGeek's Guide to the Galaxy

How to Follow the Trajectory of Comet 3I/Atlas

The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas reached its closest point to the sun. Here's how to follow the rest of its journey away from our solar system.

The First Radio Signal From Comet 3I/Atlas Ends the Debate About Its Nature

An observatory detected the first radio signal from the interstellar object 3I/Atlas. Here’s what it means.

Physicists Create a Thermometer for Measuring ‘Quantumness’

“Anomalous” heat flow, which at first appears to violate the second law of thermodynamics, gives physicists a way to detect quantum entanglement without destroying it.

In Orbit You Have to Slow Down to Speed Up

Driving a spacecraft around a planet isn’t anything like driving on a planet. A physicist explains orbital navigation.

The ‘10 Martini’ Proof Connects Quantum Mechanics With Infinitely Intricate Mathematical Structures

The proof, known to be so hard that a mathematician once offered 10 martinis to whoever could figure it out, uses number theory to explain quantum fractals.

How Do Metal Detectors Work?

What sneaky invisible forces enable these instruments to locate buried treasure?

Can a Hydroelectric Dam Really Make the Days Longer?

By shifting water to a higher elevation, the giant Three Gorges Dam caused the Earth to spin more slowly.

The Physics of the Northern Lights

Solar winds at a million miles an hour and freaky magnetic turbulence are sparking some of the best light shows in centuries.

Unpicking How to Measure the Complexity of Knots

Two mathematicians have proved that a straightforward question—how hard is it to untie a knot?—has a complicated answer.

How Genes Have Harnessed Physics to Grow Living Things

The same pulling force that causes “tears” in a glass of wine also shapes embryos. It’s another example of how genes exploit mechanical forces for growth and development.

Hurricane Melissa Has Meteorologists Terrified

The storm, which is set to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, has stunned meteorologists with its intensity and the speed at which it built.

Analog Photography: The Beginner’s Guide to Film Cameras

Which film camera should you get? Which films are the best? We demystify the world of analog photography to help you get started.