Stories
Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
A Monarch Retreat
For Californians, Thanksgiving is prime time for butterfly counting.
All About Apples: Some History, a Recipe, and Recommendations
An excerpt from “Eating on the Wild Side,” complete with apple crisp recipe.
Mapping Microbes in California Wine Country
Wine grapes have distinctive microbial patterns based on growing conditions, environmental features, and the fruit itself.
Now You Can Peruse Carl Sagan’s Stuff
A collection featuring Carl Sagan paraphernalia is open to the public at the Library of Congress.
Bristling at the Cold
Its brown and black bristles help this creature survive harsh winters.
A Butterfly’s-Eye View: Aloft in a Balloon
Camille Flammarion’s balloon excursions afforded a new perspective on the world.
Saturn Says ‘Cheese’
The Cassini spacecraft’s sweeping shot shows Saturn, its moons and rings, and Earth, Venus, and Mars.
Turmoil at Twitter: A CEO’s Ouster
Evan Williams was forced out of the company in a boardroom coup carried out by the people he had hired.
What You Didn’t Know About Einstein
When you find yourself wanting to re-read a book that you just finished, you gotta recommend it to others.
Rainbow in a Tree
This eucalyptus’ kaleidoscopic bark is a photographer’s delight.
8 Minutes, 42 Seconds to Space
An excerpt from “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth.”
Einstein’s Monster
An excerpt from “Einstein and the Quantum: The Quest of the Valient Swabian.”
Mavericks Of The Bat World
Mexican free-tailed bats engage in aerial acrobatics reminiscent of the jet maneuvers in “Top Gun.”
Time Traveling at La Brea Tar Pits
The SciFri staff visited La Brea Tar Pits, which is celebrating 100 years of excavation.
Am I A Psychopath?
An excerpt from “The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain.”
Great Balls of Lightning!
The phenomenon has impressed people for centuries, but it has yet to be created in the lab.
Show, Not Tell: The Rise of the Infographic
Data visualizations are all the rage these days. Here’s a sampler of science-based ones to feed both your brain and your eyes.
A Double Take on the Northern Lights
A method using consumer grade photography gear offers a fresh look at the aurora borealis.
The Scientist and the Philosopher
An excerpt from “Brave Genius: A Scientist, a Philosopher, and Their Daring Adventures From the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize.”