November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
Summing Up The Skyscraper Problem
How do you figure out how much it will cost to wash the windows of a building “n” stories high? Try using consecutive sums or the quadratic equation!
When An Eclipse Meant The End Of The World
Today, a solar eclipse may be a thing of beauty, but it historically has caused panic around the world.
An App To Help The Blind ‘See’ The Eclipse
Eclipse Soundscapes will use real-time narration and rumble maps to help the blind experience the eclipse.
The Science Conducted Under The Darkness Of The Total Eclipse
Scientists have been spending years preparing experiments for two minutes of darkness. Here’s what they’ll be observing.
The Curious Case Of…Curiosity
From child development to cognition, author and astrophysicist Mario Livio contemplates how we can shift our focus back on curiosity.
6:35
A Win For Einstein, Building A Bigger Salmon, And A Newly Named Dino
Astronomers sifting through years of stellar data have found that Einstein’s theories still hold up. Plus, other stories from this week in science.
5:20
Could ‘Green Spot’ Be Sign Of Trouble For Oroville Dam?
Dan Brekke of KQED gives an update on the the reconstruction of the Oroville Dam spillway that collapsed in February.
17:08
How To Make Spoof-Proof Biometric Security
Fingerprint scanners are standard on new smartphones, and new ID methods are coming. But security researchers say biometrics are still too easily duped.
16:52
Panting, Perspiration, And Puddles
How humans and other animals have evolved to beat the heat.
24:28
Probing Humanity’s Endless ‘Why?’
Curiosity drives much of our learning and creativity. Where do we get it from, and how does it change our brains?
9:56
A View Of The Solar Eclipse From The Edge of Space
NASA Eclipse Ballooning Project hopes to livestream the solar eclipse from weather balloons across the country.
11:46
How The Moon Lost Its Magnetism
Scientists still don’t know when or why the moon lost its magnetic field—but it was at least a billion years later than they thought.
Eclipse Party Activities
Spice up your eclipse party with these hands-on activities—and learn a little something about our Sun, Moon, and Earth in the process.
Hitting The Empathy Gym With Alan Alda
Empathy is key to communicating science. Coach Alda is here to help you hit your reps.
How To Film A Polar Bear
As Science Friday’s Luke Groskin says, it starts with a terrifying helicopter ride.
Five Ways To View The Solar Eclipse
No eclipse glasses? No problem. Here are five other ways to safely observe a solar eclipse.
10:21
Bird Grammar, Foxes And Ticks, And Animal Royalties
Scientists have found grammar rules matter when it comes to bird calls.
16:53
A Relatively Important Eclipse
Astronomers observed an eclipse in 1919 and found evidence for Einstein’s theory of general relativity—forever changing our understanding of the universe.
14:58
From 2017: A Procrastinator’s Guide To The Great American Eclipse
A list of tips for the 2017 total solar eclipse.
3:57
SciFri Science Club Wants YOU…To Spread The Word About The Solar Eclipse
The latest SciFri Science Club has a challenge for you: Tell us what’s happening with the solar eclipse, how to view it, and why we shouldn’t miss it.