Imagining…
Where Science Meets Creative Writing
Find a story within the topics above
How can we look at fossils and understand what creatures roamed the Earth millions of years ago?
How can we predict the behavior of materials deep within planetary interiors?
How can we reverse humanity’s impact on the global climate?
How can we predict habitats for life on other planets?
Doing impactful, innovative research requires training our brain to imagine the elusive unknown, even when bounded by scientific evidence. Now, more than ever in the history of human civilization, there is a pressing need to exercise our imagination muscles. Writing scientific fiction while accounting for the real science is a powerful way to do just that—to learn what is possible, what is probable, how we can change the future, and what our responsibility is to the future generation of our species.
Most Recent Stories
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Progress Without Morals
A scientist is trying to harness microbial properties to develop a fantastic tool. He believes he can; but should he?
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For Today’s Inspiration
- APOD: 2026 October 24 – Rosetta’s Selfie
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 October 24 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Rosetta’s Selfie Explanation:
- NASA, Partners Accelerate Lander Development for 2028 Moon Missions
As NASA returns humans to the lunar surface and establishes a long-term presence on our closest celestial neighbor, the agency and commercial human landing system providers Blue Origin and SpaceX have streamlined the designs and changed both concepts of operations for its future crewed landers. Since NASA established initial contracts with Blue Origin and SpaceX
- In Northeastern North America, Alpine Zones Are Turning Green
Using satellite data, scientists have detected where once-stable alpine ecosystems are transforming into greener, shrubbier places.
- The Secrets of Acid Salt Lakes
These stunning bodies of water—saltier than seawater and nearly as acidic as lemon juice—can teach us more about where life can survive, on Earth and beyond.
- In This Issue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 42, October 2026. <br/>
- Systemic collapse emergence from climate-induced perturbations in transportation networks
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 42, October 2026. <br/>SignificanceHuman-made infrastructures are vulnerable to external stressors (e.g., due to climate), and their interaction can generate perturbations affecting system functionality. Even localized perturbations can propagate to remote parts of the system …
- ctDNA clearance and outcomes for resectable lung cancer from NeoCOAST-2
Nature, Published online: 25 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11328-3ctDNA clearance and outcomes for resectable lung cancer from NeoCOAST-2
- I’m expected to work excessive hours in the lab. Should I speak up about my disability?
Nature, Published online: 23 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02582-6What can a researcher in an overworked laboratory do to take care of themselves and their lab-mates, and how should they navigate medical disclosure?