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The freckled universe

05/06/25

Madeleine O’Keefe

There’s a new class of cosmic object in town. And it might just overturn our understanding of black holes and galaxy evolution.

01/11/22

Playing by the quantum rules

Uncertainty, entanglement, spooky action: On the quantum scale, the universe doesn’t work the way you might expect.

01/11/22

Looking at a new quantum revolution

This month, Symmetry presents a series of articles on the past, present and future of quantum research—and its many connections to particle physics, astrophysics and computing.

Illustration of similar dark matter particles interacting

01/04/22

Theorists imagine a different kind of dark matter

Physicists are revisiting what they previously assumed about how dark matter interacts with itself.

Illustration demonstrating identical swimmers with different masses

12/07/21

Are leptons all alike?

Building experimental evidence suggests that the electron, muon and tau may feel different forces.

11/30/21

Physics books of 2021

Explore 10 new works related to particle physics and astrophysics, plus a bonus book on math.

Illustration: mentee wondering about a map, mentors offering pieces of maps

11/23/21

How to be a better mentor (and mentee)

Building a fulfilling mentor-mentee relationship requires agency and investment from both parties.

11/16/21

Catherine Heymans shines as Astronomer Royal for Scotland

Heymans, the first woman to be appointed to the role, hopes to give kids and others the chance to appreciate the stars.

11/09/21

The problem-solver: Cosmic inflation

Just over 40 years ago, a new theory about the early universe provided a way to tackle multiple cosmological conundrums at once.

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