Articles by Harrison Tasoff, Former Contributing Writer

Harrison Tasoff is a science journalist originally from Los Angeles. He graduated from NYU’s Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program after earning his B.A. in mathematics at Swarthmore College. Harrison covers an array of subjects, but often finds himself drawn to physics, ecology, and earth science stories. In his spare time, he enjoys tidepooling, mineral collecting, and tending native plants.

Articles by: Harrison Tasoff

Harrison Tasoff lifts the Millennium Falcon

Lego UCS Millennium Falcon: Building the Fastest Hunk of Bricks in the Galaxy

By Harrison Tasoff last updated 21 November 19

Lego's 2017 ultimate collector's series Millennium Falcon is amazing. With 7,541 pieces, it's the largest set the company has released to date.

2018 Perseid meteor shower, central idaho dark sky reserve

We Watched the Perseid Meteor Shower from the 1st Dark Sky Reserve in the US

By Harrison Tasoff published 22 August 18

In Central Idaho, the Perseid Meteor Shower Will Shine in Country's Darkest Skies

By Harrison Tasoff published 9 August 18

Discovery of a Cosmic-Ray Source Is a Triumph of 'Multimessenger Astronomy'

By Harrison Tasoff published 12 July 18

The discovery of a cosmic-ray source is a triumph of multimesssenger astronomy, in which scientists use multiple types of signals to probe deep cosmological questions.

Tim Dodd Is the Everyday Astronaut: An Origin Story

By Harrison Tasoff published 15 June 18

It sounds like something out of a comic book: A normal man gets a special suit and vows to use his newfound powers for good. But Tim Dodd isn't a superhero. He's the Everyday Astronaut.

The History of Lego's Millennium Falcon: A Photo Timeline

By Harrison Tasoff published 1 June 18

Two Nova Documentaries Will Explore Humanity's Biggest Questions About the Universe

By Harrison Tasoff published 9 May 18

I Rode a Lego Millennium Falcon Pedicab for 'Star Wars Day' and It Was Awesome

By Harrison Tasoff published 7 May 18

A Lego Millennium Falcon Pedicab Will Cruise NYC Streets This 'Star Wars Day'!

By Harrison Tasoff published 4 May 18

Fans of the "Star Wars" franchise have dubbed May 4 (or "May the Fourth") as Star Wars Day, in a play on the famous line "May the Force be with you."

A Nuclear Reactor for Space Missions Passes Final Major Ground Tests

By Harrison Tasoff published 3 May 18

Scientists, engineers and reporters gathered at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to announce the latest results of the Kilopower nuclear power plant project.

NASA Kills Lunar-Resources Mission Despite Push to Return to the Moon

By Harrison Tasoff published 28 April 18

NASA has canceled a mission to assay the resources available to humans on the moon, even though the Trump administration made it a priority to send humans back there.

Tour the Space Station in VR with This Amazing 3D, 360-Degree Video

By Harrison Tasoff published 19 April 18

The National Geographic Channel has revealed the first 3D, 360-degree video of space, as part of its series "One Strange Rock."

Stunning Video Offers a Quick Tour of the Crab Nebula

By Harrison Tasoff published 19 April 18

Beautiful images accompany a quick tour of the crab nebula in a new video released by NASA.

'Flames in Space' Might Help Clean Earth's Air (Video)

By Harrison Tasoff published 19 April 18

Studying how flames burn in microgravity is helping scientists understand combustion. The insights learned could help reduce pollution here on Earth, according to a video released by NASA.

This Gorgeous Video Helps Explain Why NASA Is Studying Cosmic Shock Waves

By Harrison Tasoff published 18 April 18

Like a ship cruising the seas or a fighter jet going supersonic, astronomic objects also make shock waves through the medium in which they travel.

An artist's illustration of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which will search for small planets around nearby stars.

NASA's TESS Satellite Will Supercharge Search for Nearby, Earth-Like Worlds

By Harrison Tasoff published 15 April 18

This Is (Probably) the Only Way Dark Matter Interacts with Ordinary Matter

By Harrison Tasoff published 6 April 18

'2001 A Space Odyssey' 50 Years On: Q&A with Computer Scientist Stephen Wolfram

By Harrison Tasoff published 3 April 18

In April 1968, Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke released “2001: A Space Odyssey," which has delighted and confounded audiences for 50 years now.

Smithsonian Channel Specials Tell Humanity's Story, from the Big Bang to Colonizing Space

By Harrison Tasoff published 23 March 18

Stephen Hawking Space Colony video screenshot

Stephen Hawking Will Explore Humanity's Future in One of His Last Film Appearances

By Harrison Tasoff published 15 March 18

The Smithsonian Channel will air one of Hawking's last documentary appearances in its special "Leaving Earth: Or How to Colonize a Planet."

4 Smithsonian Space Documentaries You Don't Want to Miss

By Harrison Tasoff published 13 March 18

Space enthusiasts, make room in your calendars. The Smithsonian Channel will premier two back-to-back space documentaries in late March and early April.

NASA's Ailing Robonaut 2 Will Return from Space for Long-Overdue Repairs

By Harrison Tasoff published 9 March 18

NASA's robotic astronaut, Robonaut 2, is headed home soon for a long-overdue repair. A litany of problems has kept the robot offline since it was upgraded with legs in 2014.