Scientific American

Instant Egghead - What's the Difference Between a Comet and an Asteroid?

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 EST

If you answered "one of Santa's reindeer" and "a popular video game from the 80s" --this episode of Instant Egghead is for you. Scientific American editor John Matson explains how our favorite space rocks differ.

Instant Egghead - What's the Longest You Can Hold Your Breath?

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Professional 'free divers' have no trouble holding their breath for minutes at a time. What stops us from doing the same? In this episode, Scientific American's Katherine Harmon--and Katherine Harmon--explore the limits of human physiology.

Instant Egghead - What's the Difference Between Fission and Fusion?

Wed, 02 May 2012 02:00:00 EST

In an energy-hungry world, nuclear fission and fusion are often mentioned as alternatives to fossil fuels. But which one is better? In this episode, Scientific American's Michael Moyer melts down the facts to get at the core of the issue.

Social Cues in the Brain

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

Reading the emotions of others is essential for even the most basic social skills. Here s how our brain combines information from multiple senses to decipher another person's mood.

Illustrating the Lost Continent

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST

Go behind the scenes with artist James Gurney to see how he created the illustrations for "Dinosaurs of the Lost Continent", a feature article in the March issue of Scientific American.

Your Brain in Love and Lust

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:00:00 EST

This Valentine's Day, Scientific American traces the flow of chemicals in the brain during different phases of romance and describes surprising insights from the science of attraction.

3-D and infrared vision systems for pilots

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 EST

Land and See: Infrared and 3-D vision systems combine to help pilots avoid crash landings.

Quantum Entanglement-The Movie

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

In this dramatized film, Scientifc American editors George Musser and John Matson try to fool a colleague into thinking their brains are quantum-entangled.

Time Cloak Hides Very Brief Events

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

The achieved cloaking was just 50 trillionths of a second, in duration, but could be extended to a few nanoseconds

NYC's Ring of Steel pt 3: Motion Capture

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST

What new technologies might be incorporated into New York City's surveillance network, the 'Ring of Steel'? Computer scientist Chris Bregler thinks that detecting motion signatures, our unique body movements, is the wave of the future.

NYC's Ring of Steel pt 2: Central Command

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST

In the second of three videos, we visit the central hub of New York City's 'Ring of Steel', the expansive camera network keeping watch over Lower Manhattan.

NYC's Ring of Steel pt 1: Street View

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST

The terrorist attacks of September 11th drastically changed the security strategy of NYC. A massive camera network, dubbed the 'Ring of Steel' , is at the heart of this new strategy. In the first of three videos we watch it as it watches us.

Motherhood: Your brain on kids

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST

For most women, having kids means new responsibilities and a shift in priorities. What moms don't realize is how kids physically change their brain. Scientific American brings you a quick tour of the female brain under the influence--of offspring.

U.S. dams at risk of failure: Beyond the Light Switch

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST

Nuclear energy has gotten a bad rap lately due to the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi reactor. Environment editor David Biello reveals that hydropower may be a greater threat. A joint project with Detroit Public Television.

Bring Science Home: Make a homemade compass

Mon, 23 May 2011 06:23:00 EST

Which way is north? Scientific American editor George Musser and his daughter Eliana help you find your way with a homemade water compass. For more fun activities to do with your kids visit scientificamerican.com/BringScienceHome

Bring Science Home: Make craters wth mini-meteors

Mon, 16 May 2011 20:51:00 EST

Bombs away! Scientific American Editor George Musser and his daughter Eliana simulate a meteor shower using nuts, cake mix and common kitchen items. For more fun activities to do with your kids visit scientificamerican.com/BringScienceHome.