What is the most important scientific question of our time? [more inside]
posted by Demogorgon on Oct 12, 2009 - 44 answers

How can I be use my spare time to advance a scientific cause? [more inside]
posted by adverb on Oct 6, 2009 - 16 answers

Do radio waves attenuate and become noise or do they go on forever? [more inside]
posted by MrMulan on May 12, 2009 - 14 answers

I've been rewatching Carl Sagan's Cosmos since I found out it's available on Hulu. Last night, I was watching the episode in which Carl describes how the solar system was formed via the coalescence of particulate matter. But, something struck me as rather odd: if hydrogen and helium are lighter than the heavy elements (duh!) why is it that THEY coalesced into the center of the solar system to become the Sun? It seems to me the heavier elements would migrate towards the center of the maelstrom a bit faster than the lighter ones. Haven't been able to find out the reason for this, hoping the hive can help.
posted by Spoonman on Mar 31, 2009 - 30 answers

Reading this article (and a USA Today story linked in it) this morning, and I'm curious about an astronomical event mentioned in it. [more inside]
posted by jasondbarr on Feb 10, 2009 - 12 answers

What are some topics in astronomy or cosmology that you find fascinating and mind blowing? [more inside]
posted by tomcochrane on Jul 3, 2008 - 17 answers

In my view of the sky from Mobile, AL - looking southward - there is a star shimmering brightly in red, yellow and even green. What is it? [more inside]
posted by magnoliasouth on May 31, 2008 - 25 answers

Help me find a cool screen saver that won't infect my computer. [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer on May 15, 2008 - 11 answers

What would be the effects on the earth if the moon exploded? [more inside]
posted by tcobretti on Aug 28, 2006 - 29 answers