chemistry
The Chemicals That Make Up Exploding Stars Could Help Explain Away Dark Energy
Astronomers have a dark energy problem. On the one hand, we've known for years that the universe is not just…
Traces of One of the Oldest Stars in the Universe Found Inside Another Star
Despite all we know about the formation and evolution of the Universe, the very early days are still kind of…
A Jarful of Titan Could Teach Us A Lot About Life There, and Here On Earth
Titan is a distant, exotic, and dangerous world. It's frigid temperatures and hydrocarbon chemistry is like nothing else in the…
The First Molecule that was Possible in the Universe has been Seen in Space
It takes a rich and diverse set of complex molecules for things like stars, galaxies, planets and lifeforms like us…
What are Molecules?
Molecules are the basic buildings blocks of life and matter, and our understanding of them has evolved considerably over time.
Astronomy Cast Ep. 376: The Miller-Urey Experiment
Evolution explains how life adapts and evolves over eons. But how did life originate? Chemists Miller and Urey put the…
What Is John Dalton’s Atomic Model?
Atomic theory - that is, the belief that all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible elements - has very deep…
Cool Infographic Compares the Chemistry of Planetary Atmospheres
Here on Earth we enjoy the nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere we've all come to know and love with each of the approximately 24,000…
Where Should We Look for Life in the Solar System?
Emily Lakdawalla is the senior editor and planetary evangelist for the Planetary Society. She's also one of the most knowledgeable…
Intelligent Alien Dinosaurs?
I for one welcome our alien dinosaur overlords…maybe. Dinosaurs once roamed and ruled the Earth. Is it possible that similar…