Could AI Data Centers Be Moved to Outer Space?
Massive data centers for generative AI are bad for the Earth. How about launching them into orbit?
Could AI Data Centers Be Moved to Outer Space?
Massive data centers for generative AI are bad for the Earth. How about launching them into orbit?
How to Use Physics to Escape an Ice Bowl
Here are three smart tricks, based on an understanding of frictional forces, to beat a slippery slope.
Could You Use a Rowboat to Walk on the Seafloor Like Jack Sparrow?
In Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack and Will use an overturned dinghy to hold air underwater. Madness or brilliance?
How Do Astronomers Find Planets in Other Solar Systems?
Even the best telescopes can’t see exoplanets. It’s all about watching for jiggly stars, blue shifts, and transits.
How to Measure the Earth’s Radius With Legos
With just a friend, a phone, and a few Lego bricks, you can accurately measure the size of our planet.
Can a Hydroelectric Dam Really Make the Days Longer?
By shifting water to a higher elevation, the giant Three Gorges Dam caused the Earth to spin more slowly.
The Physics of the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is usually seen near the Arctic, but solar winds and magnetic turbulence are sparking some of the best light shows in centuries throughout the US.
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
What sneaky invisible forces enable these instruments to locate buried treasure?
In Orbit You Have to Slow Down to Speed Up
Driving a spacecraft around a planet isn’t anything like driving on a planet. A physicist explains orbital navigation.