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Elizabeth Fernandez

Dr. Elizabeth Fernandez is a science communicator, looking at the interface between science and technology in society, and writes on science and society, science and philosophy, astronomy, physics, and geology. Particularly, she looks at how science, philosophy, religion and culture intersect. She has a PhD in astrophysics and has worked around the world, using telescopes both on the ground and in space. Her articles have appeared on Forbes.com and Big Think. She is also the host and producer of SparkDialog Podcasts, a podcast on science and society, where she tells the story of science in our lives. Besides science, she is an artist and writer, loves pretty much ever genre of music in existence, and seeks out bizarre and unique musical instruments. She has a passion for interfaith relations, working with people from many countries and backgrounds promoting dialog between faiths. Follow her on Twitter @SparkDialog.

elizabeth fernandez

mars sound

No music on Mars: Sound is different on the red planet

The high pitches from the flute and the harp would reach your ears before the notes from the tuba and the cello.

cryovolcanoes

Cryovolcanoes: How ice volcanoes reshaped the surface of Pluto

We have long thought that Pluto was completely frozen solid, but the discovery of cryovolcanoes challenges that assumption.

gravity time

How general relativity could help predict volcano eruptions

Extremely precise atomic clocks are not just of theoretical interest; they could help detect impending volcanic eruptions or melting glaciers.

volcano dinosaurs

Volcano-triggered mass extinction paved the way for the dinosaurs

Volcanic activity caused the end-Triassic mass extinction 200 million years ago. The dinosaurs survived and rose to dominance.

helium 3

What leaking helium-3 gas can tell us about Earth’s origin

Ancient helium-3 from the dawn of time leaks from the Earth, offering clues to our planet’s formation. A key question is where it leaks from.

mercury diamonds

Why Mercury could be encrusted with diamonds

Due to a crust of carbon, the absence of oxygen, and constant bombardment from meteorites, the planet Mercury may be littered with diamonds.

Life

Why did dinosaurs go extinct while other animals survived?

From crocodiles to birds, certain animals managed to survive some of the worst extinction events in world history.

supermountains

“Supermountains” may have influenced the course of life on Earth

Gigantic ranges called “supermountains” formed twice in Earth’s history, and they may have had a profound influence on evolutionary history.

earth's mantle

Earth’s mantle: how earthquakes reveal the history and inner structure of our planet

We know more about the universe than what is beneath our feet. But Earth’s mantle holds subtle clues about our planet’s past.

tonga volcano

Tonga volcano eruption was a once-in-a-millennium event

Impressive but deadly physics underlie catastrophic eruptions.

How astronomers piece together surfaces of invisible alien worlds

From hellishly hot planets to water worlds, some distant planets are like nothing in our Solar System.