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

Explainers

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

Earth
Explainer: How auroras light up the sky

By Maria TemmingOctober 8, 2021
Chemistry
Explainer: In chemistry, what does it mean to be organic?

By Katie Grace CarpenterOctober 7, 2021
Genetics
Explainer: Virus variants and strains

By Janet RaloffAugust 25, 2021
Climate
Explainer: Urban heat islands and how to cool them

By Bethany BrookshireAugust 19, 2021
Chemistry
Explainer: What is an electrode?

By Adrian DingleAugust 18, 2021
Chemistry
Explainer: Ions and radicals in our world

By Adrian DingleAugust 18, 2021
Animals
Explainer: What are cicadas?

By Sid PerkinsMay 12, 2021
Chemistry
Explainer: What are chemical bonds?

By Adrian DingleApril 29, 2021

Brain
Explainer: What is a neuron?

By Bryn St. ClairApril 22, 2021
Animals
Explainer: Black bear or brown bear?

By Bethany BrookshireApril 8, 2021
Math
Explainer: What is statistics?

By Rachel CrowellMarch 23, 2021
Science & Society
Machine learning includes deep learning and neural nets

By Melissa L. WeberMarch 19, 2021