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Third Data Server From the Sun
The Earth is becoming a computer visible across galactic distance.
When the Earth Had Two Moons
A new model—“The Big Splat”—explains the strange asymmetry of the moon.
An Expert’s Guide to Celebrity Faces
The way we process faces means that symmetry is only part of the story.
Half Male, Half Female, Total Animal
Mixed-sex animals teach us about our own multifarious nature.
“We Are Visual Animals, Driven By Images”
The head of the Max Planck Society discusses the science of creative visualization.
What Do Animals See in a Mirror?
A controversial test for self-awareness is dividing the animal kingdom.
How to Learn to Love Your Doppelganger
Hallucinating yourself can be both a symptom and a tool.
James Doty’s Helper’s High
He gave away his last $30 million and felt free—a case study in altruism.
The Disappearing Physicist and His Elusive Particle
He ushered symmetry into theoretical physics, then vanished without a trace.
Want to Get Out Alive? Follow the Ants
Ants show that emergency exits can work better when they’re obstructed.
The Sacred, Spherical Cows of Physics
Theoretical physics milks symmetry to power its newest tool.