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The Roman Space Telescope isn’t the only US observatory built from spy tech

The newest spacecraft from NASA started as a spy telescope. It’s just one example of the intelligence world offering resources to astronomers.
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An illustration shows Earth on the right side of the image. Concentric blue curves that represent the magnetic field emanating from it. The outer edge of the blue curves is labeled “magnetosheath,” and a bright blue parabolic curve just beyond that is labeled “bow shock.” An orange cloud spanning the width of the image is labeled “solar wind.” A spacecraft on the left side of the image, far outside the bow shock, is labeled “Wind.” Another spacecraft positioned closer to Earth, between the bow shock and magnetosheath, is labeled “THEMIS.”

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Geomagnetic storms could get worse than we thought

SEP 01, 2026

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Crossword: Copenhagen interpretation

AUG 31, 2026

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Demystifying graviton detection

AUG 31, 2026

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Shannon Palus edits articles about science and more at Slate

AUG 28, 2026

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From the vault: April 1972 - Predictions for superheavy nuclei

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Predictions for superheavy nuclei

April 01, 1972 12:00 AM

From the vault: October 1979 - A physicist in biomedical investigation

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A physicist in biomedical investigation

October 01, 1979 12:00 AM

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Acoustics of the flute

When viewed as a positive‐feedback oscillator, with a resonance frequency, energy input and loss mechanisms, the flute displays properties that explain physically how the performer adapts his technique to sound the instrument over its three‐octave range.

November 01, 1968 12:00 AM

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The decline in physics bachelor’s degrees: Contributors and consequences

As higher-education programs compete for a shrinking pool of students, departments must better communicate the value that a physics major brings.

August 06, 2026 03:21 PM

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How Soviet and US scientists helped end the Cold War nuclear arms race

Three physicists give a firsthand account of disarmament efforts in the 1980s and 1990s.

July 31, 2026 02:51 PM

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When it comes to science engagement, hire a professional

Researchers don’t need to do science engagement alone. Working with professionals makes the job easier and more effective and can lead to better science.

July 14, 2026 03:02 PM

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SEP 01, 2026

Cover of the August 2026 issue of Physics Today. The cover image shows a close-up of the gray, cratered disk of Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Ganymede and its dynamo. Academics focus on existential threats. Muon detectors in the classroom. The secret of why sneakers squeak.

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