Star's blueprint
The mapping of the magnetic field of TX Camelopardalis can provide important insights into the behaviour of stars
Byte by byte
To increase disk drive capacity, both silicon chips and magnetic-memory disks will have to get better
Precious mine
With the help of nickel and vitreous carbon, the industrial manufacture of diamonds becomes easier
On borrowed time
The Hubble telescope is slowly wearing out and efforts to repair it are on, alongwith preparations for its replacement
Distance dilemma
Are quasars near or far? Doubts appear as the astronomical calculator, red shift, is challenged
Space science, biology and politics
NASA hopes to solve its resource crunch by putting forward a case that uses space science for explaining the origins of life
Composition: critical
While the aircraft industry flies high with composites, one question nags engineers: are they really safe?
Light matters
Every kid knows that E=mc 2 . But this time, physicists are working backwards, converting energy into matter
A perfect ten, is it?
Two groups of scientists have claimed there is proof of a tenth planet in the solar system. Astrophysicists are sceptical
Challenge of the balance
When will scientists stop? The latest is the 'nanobalance', which would measure the mass of microorganisms and viruses
Joker in the pack of stars
Book>> Gravity’s engines: The other side of black holes • by Caleb A Scharf • Allen Lane • Rs 1,800
The mess over neutrino mass
The neutrino dispute has broken out again, with a new study claiming evidence that the ethereal particle has mass
A matter of consequence
Science's search for the Holy Grail finally comes to an end with the uncovering of the 5th state of matter
Spectra of colour
A Japanese company has developed blue light-emitting diodes using gallium nitride, thus filling the gap in the spectrum of semiconductor light …
Power-crazy
Clean and unlimited power from just a handful of hydrogen atoms. Physicists are busy working to make this dream real
Brainy hardware
A path-breaking step in the process of understanding the most complex structure of the human body
Quest for speed
Scientists claim to have sent pulses of microwaves over a one-metre distance at speeds that are 5-10 per cent faster than the speed of light
Big and mysterious
The current theory of planet formation has just been proved wrong. It is time astrophysicists got back to the drawing- board
The missing element
Niobium, an element scientists searched for in the Earth's mantle, is found in the core instead
Himalayan hazard
The next big quake can kill 150,000 people, claim seismologists; say traditional construction is safer
The icons of physics
Book>> Quantum, Einstein, Bohr and the Debate on the Nature of Reality • by Manjit Kumar • Icon Books • Rs 300
When the sun flares up
During its active stage, the star spews tonnes of plasma that can disrupt satellites and power grids. Is the world ready to protect itself?
Playing Lego with molecules
Scientists are trying to make designer solids -- substances whose molecules they assemble according to a predetermined plan
Surprise rays from a comet
First ever X -ray emission by a comet has excited several astrophysicists who are optimistic of bringing some more dark areas of the universe …
Gas to liquid
A new physical process will help convert natural gas into liquid fuel, making it easier to transport