Surprising Science — February 23, 2014

The Beehive Cluster

M44 is a cluster of young stars some 600 light-years away from Earth. Also known as the Praesepe or Beehive Cluster, its stars are around 600 million years old compared to our Sun’s 4.5 billion years and the closest cluster to our galaxy, according to NASA. Some of its yellowish-colored stars and red giants make it a popular treasure for binocular-equipped star gazers.

Image source: NASA

13.8

Explaining the mystery of synchronization, from swinging pendulums to chirping crickets

A variety of living and non-living things exhibit behavioral synchronization. Why?

The Wizard of Oz is a story about the dangers of the gold standard

Reading between the lines of Dorothy’s adventure to the Emerald City.

High Culture

What is modern art about — and why won’t it go away already?

Modernism has lasted longer than any art movement since the Renaissance.

Strange Maps

After oil and gas, Europe is now running out of wind

You might think it’s impossible to run out of wind, but Europe’s “wind drought” proves otherwise. And it’s only going to get worse.

Leadership

Slack’s CEO Stewart Butterfield: These questions could save teams billions of hours each year

“The digital HQ – the digital infrastructure that supports productivity and collaboration – actually became more important than the physical HQ.”

Up Next

Technology & Innovation

Private Data Can Be Collected As You Drive

The high-tech in your car may be spying on you as you drive. The navigation and infotainment systems in dashboards and in black boxes located under hoods can collect our […]