Latest articles by Patrick Pester
NASA satellites show Antarctica has gained ice despite rising global temperatures. How is that possible?
An abrupt change in Antarctica has caused the continent to gain ice. But this increase, documented in NASA satellite data, is a temporary anomaly rather than an indication that global warming has reversed, scientists say.
Ancient zircon crystals shed light on 1 billion-year-old meteorite strike in Scotland
Geologists have found that an ancient meteorite hit Scotland 200 million years later than previously thought, which has massive implications for the geological history of the region and some of the U.K.'s earliest land life.
Ancient volcanic ash on Mars could offer new clues in search for extraterrestrial life
Researchers believe dark rocks at the site of a future Mars rover landing mission may be left over from ancient volcanic eruptions, and may be protecting signs of life — if there ever was life on Mars.
Group of ancient stars spotted near the sun could rewrite the Milky Way's history
Researchers using the Gaia space telescope studied some ancient stars near the sun, revealing that our corner of the Milky Way may be billions of years older than once thought.
Major 'magnetic anomaly' discovered deep below New Zealand's Lake Rotorua
Lake Rotorua, which sits at the heart of a dormant volcano and is the setting for one of New Zealand's most famous Māori love stories, has been mapped in detail for the 1st time.
Scientists propose 'missing' law for the evolution of everything in the universe
The "law of increasing functional information" says that complex systems in nature evolve to become more complex.
Did the Tonga undersea volcano eruption cause this year's extreme heat?
The 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption may have contributed to this year's heat, but it's not causing climate change.
Cretaceous asteroid armageddon ignites TV screens in 'Dinosaur Apocalypse'
'Dinosaur Apocalypse,' a PBS NOVA special narrated by Sir David Attenborough, attempts to reconstruct the day Earth was hit by an asteroid 66 million years ago.
Antarctic sea ice at record low in February, satellite data reveal
Antarctic sea-ice extent dropped to a record low in the satellite data in February, but it's likely due to natural variation.
Massive methane leaks mapped from space
Using satellite data, scientists have mapped massive methane plumes caused by human activities around the world.
When did scientists first warn humanity about climate change?
Scientists have known about climate change for a while, with an overwhelming scientific consensus that humans are the cause. But when were people first warned about the climate change?
Alien organisms could hitch a ride on our spacecraft and contaminate Earth, scientists warn
Scientists warn that increased space exploration raises the risk that alien organisms will invade Earth and that Earth organisms will invade other planets.
Enormous 'shipyard' of ancient galaxies discovered 11 billion light-years away
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a massive protocluster 11 billion light-years away that acts as an assembly yard for over 60 emerging galaxies.
Could climate change make humans go extinct?
Humanity is feeling the effects of climate change around the world, but could climate change make humans go extinct?
