Science

La Nina, Climate Change Behind Extreme January Weather

2023 is starting out more bonkers than ever. Scientists say it’s natural weather weirdness with some help from human-caused climate change.

2022 Was the U.K.'s Hottest Year Ever Recorded

Scientists said climate change driven by human activity—primarily fossil fuel emissions—has made such warm conditions vastly more likely.

10 Ways the World Got Better In 2022

2022 was full of challenges, but it was also a year of milestones toward a better future, scientific breakthroughs, and human progress.

2022: A Year In Review

Following years of uncertainty—and a global pandemic that has proven to be one of the most challenging events in history—we forged on, prepared to tackle what lay ahead. And as we continued to extract the possible from the impossible, this year taught us, above all, that our voices—no matter how big or small can change the world.

Why Extraterrestrials Haven't Contacted Earth Yet

A new paper argues Earth's bubble of radio signals sent into the universe is still very small, and unlikely to have reached other life forms

What the Mars InSight Lander Discovered Over its Lifetime

"My power’s really low... I’ll be signing off here soon,” NASA tweeted from the InSight probe, which landed on Mars four years ago.

New Satellite Will Study How Climate is Altering Earth's Water

The U.S. and France collaborate on an ambitions project to survey 90% of the planet

Soyuz Spacecraft Leak Imperils Crew

Coolant streaming from the docked Soyuz spacecraft could leave three space station crew members without a means to come home.

The Arctic is Heating Up, Disrupting Local Communities

NOAA's 2022 “Arctic Report Card" shows climate change pushed air temperatures to their sixth warmest on record.

TIME's Best Photojournalism of 2022

The most striking, influential, and surprising photojournalism published by TIME in 2022, selected by TIME's photo editors.

The U.S. Has Achieved a Key Nuclear Fusion Milestone

The Department of Energy’s National Ignition Facility has achieved an important step toward the goal of generating unlimited clean energy.

Webb Telescope Discovers Oldest Galaxies Ever Seen

Astronomers spot a galactic quartet dating to just 400 million years after the Big Bang

NASA's Orion Spacecraft Splashes Down

The Artemis 1 moon mission returns to Earth on the 50th anniversary of the last lunar landing.

Mars May Have Active Volcanoes, Study Suggests

A study shows that the red planet, thought to be geologically dead, is quite alive, adding new promise to search for extraterrestrial life.

What to Know About NASA's Artemis 1 Re-Entry to Earth

The Orion spacecraft will have to do some fancy flying to return to Earth safely on Sunday, Dec. 11, after its Lunar journey.

What Curse Words Share Across Languages

Certain sounds in certain words give them their vulgar oomph

Teen Marijuana Poisonings Have Skyrocketed

Poisonings involving cannabis are on the rise in the U.S. Here's how to talk to your child about marijuana.

SpaceX Plans to Beat NASA in Launching Biggest Rocket Ever

SpaceX tests its Starship rocket in a dramatic engine burn, setting the stage for a launch more powerful than NASA's mega moon rocket

Nicole Mann Talks to TIME From Space

The first Native American woman in space in a candid interview with TIME.

Yes, You Can Actually Die of a Broken Heart

Extreme emotional shock can come with fatal cardiac consequences, writes Dr. Sian Harding.

Study Reveals Link Between Air Pollution and Stillbirths

A new study finds a connection between fine-particle air pollution and the rate of stillbirths in low- and middle-income countries.

Electric Airplanes Could Be the Future of Battery Technology

Richard Wang, CEO of Cuberg, is developing lighter, more powerful lithium batteries that could help make electric airplanes a reality.

Why We Buy Things We Don't Need

Part of our drive to consume is down to the way our brains have evolved, a new book argues

Chinese Rocket Mishap Threatens Starlink Satellites

A Long March 6A breaks up in orbit, threatening SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation

NASA's Moon Rocket Finally Blasts Off

The successful liftoff of NASA’s Artemis program—which aims to have Americans back on the moon by as soon as late 2025—is at last underway.

Watch Live: NASA's Artemis 1 Moon Mission Launch

Divers Find Remains of the Shuttle Challenger

A poignant discovery is made off the coast of Florida

NASA's Mega-Moon Rocket Survives a Hurricane

The Space Launch System withstands Hurricane Nicole and remains on track to launch on Nov. 16

The Last Total Lunar Eclipse Until 2025 Is Coming

The cosmic spectacle on Nov. 8 holds a powerful fascination for human beings.

NASA's Mega-Moon Rocket Is Poised to Try Again

The giant space Launch System (SLS) is back on the launch pad and could fly as early as Nov. 14

China Sends Rocket Stage Hurtling Toward Earth

The Tiangong space station is now complete, but a tumbling rocket stage endangered populations below

"Why Aren't We All Bacteria?" Siddhartha Mukherjee Explores the Power of Cells

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and doctor Siddhartha Mukherjee on the power of cells and how they shape us

The World May Benefit From China’s Space Ambitions

The completion of China’s space station, while prompting U.S. concerns, opens doors for international collaboration

NASA's Moon Program Gives U.S. Economy Big Boost

NASA’s fiscal year 2021 budget was $23.3 billion and that spending, according to a new report, generated a total of $71.2 billion in economic activity nationwide.

Russia Isn't Happy Ukraine is Using Elon Musk's Satellites

The Kremlin rattles a sword against the Ukrainian army using SpaceX's Starlink constellation during the war.

Climate Science Is Stronger Than Ever Ahead of COP27

Scientists today can link specific ecological disasters with a changing climate—and assert with confidence what future impacts will be.