Alexandra Witze

Science News • 5th August 2022

How Mars rovers have evolved in 25 years of exploring the Red Planet

Few things are harder than hurling a robot into space — and sticking the landing.

Nature • 4th August 2022

Extreme heatwaves: surprising lessons from the record warmth

From London to Shanghai, unprecedented heatwaves have scorched many parts of the world in recent weeks.

Nature • 14th July 2022

Hawaii law could break years-long astronomy impasse

A law signed by Hawaii’s governor removes the University of Hawaii from its role as the main authority overseeing the land on which the telescopes sit, and gives responsibility to a much broader representation of the community, including Native Hawaiians.

Nature • 12th July 2022

New Webb images: baby stars, colliding galaxies and hot exoplanets

NASA’s US$10-billion James Webb Space Telescope released four new scientific images on 12 July, including newborn stars sparkling through dramatic ‘cliffs’ of gas, and galaxies interacting in an intricate cosmic dance.

Nature • 11th July 2022

Russia’s war in Ukraine forces Arctic climate projects to pivot

Sander Veraverbeke had been keen to travel to Siberia to meet Russian collaborators and measure how vegetation affects emissions from Arctic wildfires. But in February, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Veraverbeke had to abandon his plans.

Nature • 8th July 2022

Surprising dust strike on Webb telescope has scientists on alert

Scientists expected the telescope to be dinged by space dust, but a relatively large hit in May has caused them to re-evaluate what they thought they knew.

Nature • 26th May 2022

‘Unsustainable’: how satellite swarms pose a rising threat to astronomy

This story broke the news that SpaceX is no longer putting sunshades on its Starlink satellites.

Nature • 11th May 2022

The $93-billion plan to put astronauts back on the Moon

An in-depth look at NASA's Artemis lunar program.

Science News • 10th March 2022

We're living through a climate crisis. How did we get here?

“What’s happening to the planet is not routine,” says geochemist Ralph Keeling. “We’re in a planetary crisis.”

Grid News • 16th February 2022

Space is turning into a dangerous junkyard

Defunct rockets, satellites and other debris litter the skies. Giant nets, harpoons and robot claws might be part of the solution.

Nature • 8th December 2021

The $11-billion Webb telescope aims to probe the early Universe

A preview of the launch of the hugely ambitious, hugely challenged James Webb Space Telescope.

Nature • 1st October 2021

NASA won’t rename James Webb telescope — and astronomers are angry

The agency found no evidence that the flagship observatory’s namesake was involved in anti-LGBT+ activities, but some say that Webb bears responsibility.

Nature • 14th July 2021

Racism is magnifying the deadly impact of rising city heat

Scientists are mapping correlations between race, poverty and heat in cities, and suggesting solutions to reduce the dangers.

Science News • 6th May 2021

How to detect, resist and counter the flood of fake news

From lies about election fraud to QAnon conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine falsehoods, misinformation is racing through our democracy. And it is dangerous.

Nature • 16th February 2021

The hunt for life on Mars: A visual guide to NASA’s latest mission

What the Perseverance rover intends to do in Jezero Crater as it collects rocks for return to Earth.

Nature • 23rd September 2020

Universities will never be the same after the coronavirus crisis

How virtual classrooms and dire finances could alter academia. Part 1 in a series on science after the pandemic.

Nature • 14th January 2020

How the fight over a Hawaii mega-telescope could change astronomy

The Thirty Meter Telescope controversy is forcing scientists to grapple with how their research affects Indigenous peoples.

Nature • 16th July 2019

These young scientists will shape the next 50 years of Moon research

Half a century after Apollo, Nature profiles five researchers who are shaking up lunar exploration.

Knowable • 14th March 2019

The secrets of extreme wildfires

Researchers probe the weather-like physics of deadly infernos.

The Open Notebook • 6th November 2018

How to read a scientific paper

It’s one of the first, and likely most intimidating, assignments for a fledgling science reporter. “Here,” your editor says. “Write up this paper that’s coming out in Science this week.”