It’s a wonderful world — and universe — out there.

Explainers

Background pieces for a deeper dive into a broad range of pivotal topics

Physics
How to make a pitched ball curve to your will

By Wendy OrlandoSeptember 18, 2025
Environment
Watch out: Hail can get really big!

By Katherine KorneiSeptember 2, 2025
Physics
How polarized and UV-blocking sunglasses protect our eyes

By Tejasri GururajAugust 5, 2025
Physics
Much of the sun’s light is green. Why does it look yellow?

By Larissa G. CapellaMay 5, 2025
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is cancer?

By Bethany BrookshireApril 30, 2025
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is asthma and how is it treated?

By Sejal ParekhApril 14, 2025
Animals
What is a dinosaur?

By Aaron TremperMarch 27, 2025
Brain
Explainer: How our body deals with stress

By Jennifer JunghansMarch 14, 2025

Brain
Purple exists only in our brains

By Tammy AwtryJanuary 28, 2025
Computing
Explainer: What is the internet?

By Kathryn HulickJanuary 13, 2025
Plants
Explainer: How to identify tree species in the winter

By Sophie HartleyJanuary 6, 2025
Earth
Explainer: How volcanoes erupt

By Carolyn WilkeNovember 15, 2024