Articles by Robin Burks
What sci-fi gets wrong about the physics of space battles
A recent video released from the PBS online series 'It's Okay To Be Smart' outlines everything wrong with television series and movies that portray space combat, at least according to real-world physics.
Drought in California and extreme heat in Australia worsened by climate change
A body of scientific research indicates that climate change is responsible for the current drought conditions in California, as well as high temperatures, heat waves and drought recently experienced in Australia.
Computer simulation suggests that ancient stars died unusually
A new computer simulation suggests that ancient stars died differently from their more modern peers. The stars first went into supernovae before completely burning up, without leaving behind a black hole.
What is that mysterious thing on Saturn's moon Titan?
NASA's Cassini spacecraft recently spotted a mysterious feature on the surface of Titan, one of Saturn's moons. After several months of observations, this feature is growing and changing, lending it more intrigue.
Can statistics tell us who dies next on 'Game of Thrones?'
Statistician Richard Vale predicts future character deaths in the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books and 'Game of Thrones' television series by using statistics. Only time will tell if the numbers add up.
New study suggests that Americans don't trust scientists
A new study on the way certain occupations are perceived shows that Americans don't trust scientists because they lack warmth. Despite this, Americans still find scientists competent at their jobs.
Did life originate in deep space? Newly discovered molecule suggests that it did
A team of astronomers using the ALMA Observatory discovered a complex molecule in a part of deep space where stars form. This molecule could indicate that life originally formed in interstellar space.
'Star Trek: The Next Generation' cast discusses fandom and reminisces on their 27th anniversary
Much of the cast from 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' celebrated the 27th anniversary of the series at Wizard World Nashville Comic Con, where they discussed the series and the fans that still follow it.
Check out all the awesome cosplay from Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
As with any comic convention, Wizard World Nashville Comic Con brought out the cosplayers. From pretty sailor soldiers to superheroes and villains, cosplay was front and center at the weekend event.
Buy a brick with your name on it for the Tesla Museum
The founder of the Tesla Museum, The Oatmeal, are crowdfunding to raise the final amount they need for the project's completion. Donate $125 and get a personalized brick installed at the museum.
Scientists predict solar flares with new computer simulation
A team of scientists at ETH Zurich create new computer simulation to accurately predict solar flares, the explosions on the sun that can disrupt power and communications systems here on Earth.
Let 'Assassin's Creed Unity' take you on a virtual tour through Paris
Ubisoft, the game development company behind the upcoming title 'Assassin's Creed Unity,' has gone all out to promote the game by offering a Google-style street view map of Paris with narration by Andy Serkis.
Watch a female cosmonaut respond to sexist questions about her hair during a press conference
Russian female cosmonaut Elena Serova got angry recently after fielding questions about her hair and motherly duties during a press conference before embarking on a journey to the International Space Station.
Mars rover Curiosity takes first sample from Mount Sharp
Now that NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has reached its target, Mount Sharp, it has begun drilling into the base of the mountain, taking samples for potential further analysis by its onboard laboratory.
Hubble snaps photo of galaxy that could be lying about its age
At first glance, galaxy DDO 68, recently captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, seems the perfect specimen of a young galaxy. However, scientists now think the galaxy is older than it looks.
Physics professor says black holes are mathematically impossible
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill physics professor Laura Mersini-Houghton recently looked at the mathematics governing black holes and deduced that the numbers don't add up, suggesting that black holes don't actually exist.
Newly discovered fossils could be world’s earliest animals
Three round fossils recently found in China could change what we know about multicellular organisms. The fossils date back to 600 million years ago, much earlier than scientists estimate when multicellular life began.
India Mars Orbiter tweets its first photos of the red planet
After recently entering Mars' orbit and breaking records this week, India's Mars Orbiter, called Mangalyaan, started its own Twitter account and is now tweeting its first photos of the planet.
NASA's Maven returns its first images of Mars
NASA releases the first photos from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft, which entered the red planet's orbit on Sept. 21. These ultraviolet photos show gases present in Mars' upper atmosphere.
Food affected by Fukushima disaster negatively impacts wildlife: Study
A team of researchers have found that butterflies exposed to food sources in the area of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster experience more death, disease and deformities than normal.
Astronomers discover water on Neptune-sized planet 122 light-years away
Astronomers find water vapor in a distant planet's atmosphere. Although this planet probably doesn't sustain life, this discovery marks progress in the search for habitable worlds other than our own.
Mysterious blob picked up by weather radar was actually butterflies
Last week, weather detection services in the Midwest picked up oddly-shaped blue blobs on their radar screens. Those blobs were actually swarms of monarch butterflies migrating south for the winter.
Ray Bradbury's science fiction collection of art and memorabilia up for auction
Ray Bradbury fans are in for a treat, at least those with some expendable cash. A personal collection of the writer's science fiction art and memorabilia is now up for grabs via auction.
India reaches Mars' orbit for less than it cost to make 'Gravity'
India made history yesterday when it's Mars Orbiter Mission entered orbit around the red planet on its first attempt, and the country did it for less than what it cost to make the movie 'Gravity.'
SpaceX breaks ground on new spaceport in Texas
Elon Musk's SpaceX broke ground this week on its new spaceport facility in Brownsville, Texas. Once complete, the site will serve as the location for the company's future space launches.
Did stories by the campfire aid human evolution?
In a study of Africa's Kalahari Bushmen, a researcher determines that the time spent together in firelight at night by our pre-electricity ancestors resulted in establishing social and cultural interactions that aided human evolution.
Where did Neptune and Uranus come from? New research has answers
Both Neptune and Uranus are mysteries, at least when it comes to how they formed. However, after studying these two planets' positions in the Solar System, researchers suggest a new explanation.
New report suggests bias against women astronomers
A new report about the Hubble Space Telescope review process suggests that there could be some discrimination against women astronomers, at least when those women are requesting observation time on the telescope.
India spacecraft Mangalyaan enters Mars' orbit soon
India's first mission to Mars is officially in the vicinity of the red planet and will enter its orbit soon, making history by becoming only the fourth country in the world with claims to a successful Mars mission.
Physicists beat own record for distance for quantum teleportation of light into matter
A team of physicists from the University of Geneva recently broke their own record for distance traveled in quantum teleportation between particles of light and particles of matter. The new record is now 25 kilometers.
