A Moment of Science

A closeup of a green katydid's face on a bright green leaf

The oldest known eardrums

Why do ancient katydids have prehistoric significance? Read More »

Recent Audio Podcasts

Tricking your muscles, with a door frame

An open wooden door looks onto a closed door framed across the hall

Learn more about your muscles' sensory receptors with today's A Moment of Science!

Some sounds are involuntary, but crows have the ability to determine if they want to call.

A building half in rubble after an earthquake, with a man standing in front for scale

There have been several devastating earthquakes in recent history. Today's A Moment of Science looks at what is suspected to be the biggest earthquake our ancestors experienced.

A classic American breakfast with coffee, eggs and bacon and a biscuit on a plate with a blue checkered tablecloth

Have you ever felt hangry? Turns out this emotion is more complex than you might think.

A large ostrich in an enclosure stands looking at the camera

Why do flightless birds still have their wings?

Older stories »

A Moment of Science Blog

Surprising Science: How Fungi Can Help Conquer The Final Frontier

The fibers of mycelium in mushrooms cover a large area

Today's Surprising Science looks at the emerging field of astromycology and how fungi might just hold the key to our space exploration efforts.

Carlo Bononi’s Incoronazione della Virgine

Our last Surprising Science took us out of this world to learn more about how scientists determine potentially habitable planets. Today, we’re back on Earth to look at how some of our smallest life forms are impacting the art world.

How does introducing a new species impact an environment? The unique case of the Lazarus lizard shows there's more than one possible outcome.

Scientific breakthroughs can come from some surprising sources. Today's episode of Surprising Science looks at how different branches can create breakthroughs in other fields.