The science of springtime, 101

The science of spring fever

Researchers have confirmed what people have sensed for ages: Our emotions during the springtime can go a little wild. This piece breaks down the impact of the seasonal transition on our bodies and prescribes a few ways to mitigate the effects.

Twelve ways the world celebrates springtime

Celebrating the seasonal change is rarely filled with as much relief and hope around the world as spring. This list compiles some famous and lesser-known springtime traditions from diverse cultures.

Meteorological v. astronomical seasons, explained

Meteorologists and climatologists define seasons differently from “regular” or astronomical spring, summer, fall, and winter. Traditional seasons reflect the movement of celestial objects, known as the astronomical seasons; meteorologists mark seasonal change based on temperature averages.

Forty-nine top-notch photos of springtime around the world

Peruse this collection of stunning images gleaned from thousands submitted in a 2020 "springtime" contest which features close-ups and drone photos from Vietnam to Ireland.

Asia's agriculture-focused set of 24 'small seasons'

In contrast to the four broad seasons and their basis in astronomy and climate, ancient farmers in China and Japan had many more and varied seasons (or "sekki). Take Keichitsu (March 6 to 21), for example: this means "going-out of the worms" when bugs come out from hibernation.

SAD 101 from the folks at NIMH—where the condition was first identified

Norman Rosenthal led the team at the National Institute of Mental Health that first identified and described seasonal affective disorder in 1984. This 101 from NIMH explores the basics of the condition, from who develops it to how it is treated.

This year's first leaf and first bloom in the US, mapped

Spring tends to arrive within a range of dates in the contiguous US. See a map illustrating the most recent year's first leaf and first bloom in relation to historical averages to see how early or late the season arrived.

Grasp the earth's orbit around the sun with this interactive

See why seasons exist with this interactive simulator. Toggle between different views of the earth in relation to the sun and watch as the earth's axis causes the sun to shine at different angles throughout the year, causing the weather to fluctuate and more. This simulator clarifies a process many take for granted.

Five things to know about autumnal equinoxes

After the autumnal equinox, the northern hemisphere of the Earth begins to tilt away from the sun, so nights will get longer and days grow shorter.

Daylight saving time, explained

Daylight saving time is supposed to help—but does it? Dive into the history, science, and consequences of this biannual aspect of American life (unless you're from Arizona or Hawaii).

Explained: The Year of the Rabbit

One of the world's largest holidays, this visual guide will help you welcome the Year of the Rabbit and celebrate the new lunar year.

Why we have different seasons

Visualize just how exactly seasons come to be with this animation of the earth in relation to the sun, and see how earth's tilt determines our seasons.

Explore a series of interdisciplinary explainers on climate science

From animations on the quantum mechanics of greenhouse gases to a photo essay on how scientists acquire climate data, this collection provides detailed explorations of how different branches of science have contributed to our understanding of climatology.

A 101 on the science and history of meteor showers

Bits of rock, ice, and dust flying through space called meteors burn up in a spectacular display when they hit our atmosphere 60 miles up at an average of 30,000 mph. Some of these are isolated objects, but others are recurring phenomena caused by...

Discover trends in Earth's climate system: What are indicators of climate change?

A comprehensive deep dive tracking components of the climate system over time, such as temperature, sea level, sea ice amounts, ocean heat, greenhouse gases, and more (w/charts and graphs).

The world's different calendars, explained

The calendar we use to mark the days, months, and year can feel set in stone, but the history of calendars shows these organization systems can and do change. Parse the fascinating, complex details of the Gregorian, Julian, Chinese, Hebrew, and many more calendars in this comprehensive, well-executed explainer video.

Why meteorologists say summer starts June 1

There are at least two periods called summer: astronomical and meteorological. Astronomical summer mirrors the movement of celestial bodies and begins roughly around June 20, with the summer solstice. Meteorologists designate the beginning of June as the start of summer to make tracking weather patterns from year to year easier.

Read Norman Rosenthal’s original 1984 paper describing SAD

The study helped formalize research and diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder, catalyzing the development of therapies (like bright light) and leading to broader adoption of effective treatments. It also helped connect the influence of light and seasons on biological mechanisms in the human body, spurring exploration of circadian rhythms.

Four video explainers on quantum fundamentals

Ready to level up your working knowledge of quantum mechanics? Check out these four TED-Ed Lessons written by Chad Orzel, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Union College

The science of dogs, from wolf origins to color-blindness

This under 10-minute podcast episode dives into the rich, fascinating science behind dogs: From their world-class sense of smell to their domestication from wolves.

Climate science 101: climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions

How do we know that this warming is happening and that it’s caused by humans? How strong is the evidence? What risks can we expect and what can we do about them?

The weather time machine

A fun interactive on how old ships’ logs are giving scientists new insights into the past and future of the Earth’s changing climate (w/maps and pictures).

Moon 101: NASA's complete overview of our lunar companion

From modulating our tides to impact our climate, Earth's lone natural satellite plays a key role forming the planet's habitat. Before diving into the rest of the resources on this page, check out NASA's overview of the basics of the Moon—how it got its name, its size and distance from Earth, its structure, and much more.

The winter solstice has been celebrated globally for millennia

From gatherings at Stonehenge in the UK to celebrations of the triumph of Mithra in Iran, cultures around the world have marked the shortest day of the year in a variety of ways for a very long time. Here are eight known to us today that endure.

Finding delight through your five senses

Digging into your immediate senses is shown to benefit your overall psychological well-being, from the happy memories evoked by familiar scents or through the transformative power of birdsong. This episode from the Science of Happiness podcast highlights insights from Gretchen Rubin, an author who has written books on the importance of engaging your senses for a happy life.

A 101 on why Ramadan is the holiest time of the Muslim year

As a spiritual guide for members of the Brandeis University community, this overview surfaces the highlights to orient readers on Ramadan logistics, practices, and obligations. It's a useful start for those interested in learning the basics around fasting rules, exemptions, the significance of iftar and suhoor, and common greetings.

The science behind ghosts, explored

Every culture has them—restless spirits, haunted houses, things that go bump in the night. But why do we believe in ghosts? Psychologist and skeptic Dr. Chris French joins host Sony Kassam to explore the science behind the supernatural, from sleep paralysis and hallucinations to the brain’s pattern-making instincts.

Ten underrated astronomy studies from 2022

The James Webb Space Telescope understandably received a lot of coverage in 2022. This astrophysicist wants to highlight ten major studies published last year you might have missed.

The science of symmetry | The Royal Society

Nature is full of symmetries, from spiral galaxies to florets of broccoli. So why do complex creatures break the pattern?This short video discusses why symmetry came to dominate life on Earth, and how many complex life forms, such as humans, transitioned from radial to lateral symmetry.

The basic science of rockets

How do rockets work? What is the science behind a rocket launch? How does a rocket go into space? In this short and simple video, we discuss the science of rocket propulsion and what takes to get these vehicles into orbit.

One hundred ways to improve your life without really trying

Whether it’s taking fruit to work (and to the bedroom!), being polite to rude strangers or taking up skinny-dipping, here’s a century of ways to make life better, with little effort involved …

There is a best way to wake up—but not a best time

Sleep and circadian rhythm researchers say that waking up at a consistent time each day—even on weekends—and viewing morning sunlight are the best ways to keep body functions running at their peak. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

A full crash course in psychology

This 40-episode crash course series mirrors the curriculum of an advanced high school class on the psychology with well-known creators the Green brothers. Browse each roughly 10-minute episode or watch them all.

Everything you need to know about Mars

The Lunar and Planetary Institute provides assorted resources about the red planet, Mars. Review this basic 101 level introduction and get to know our solar system neighbor. Learn about Mars' planet-wide dust storms, staggeringly high mountains (six of which dwarf Mount Everest), and whether there's water there below the surface.

How the months of the year got named

Curious about how the months got their names? This article from The Old Farmer's Almanac explores the origins of today’s Gregorian calendar. Based on the ancient Roman lunar calendar, the months were named after Roman gods until winter when the names changed to numerical titles. Read along to learn the significance and intentions behind labeling each lunar cycle.

Browse and explore dozens of major psychology theories

There are a ton of different psych theories—so here's a breakdown of some of the major ones according to the general psychological focus.

Four psychological tools for a happier, calmer life

The perennial debate on how to be happy involves various aspects of life, and one of the most essential is our psychological attitudes toward experiences. This piece lists and explains four basic tools to strengthen your "psychological immune...

A brief history of Christmas tree design

A celebration of the Christmas tree in all its festive glory. Get a glimpse into its intriguing background and the lore that accompanies it.

A timelapse of sprouting seeds

Germination is the process where an organism sprouts from a seed or spore. This timelapse captures the process in an inspiring, two-minute video so you can see the whole story of the seed quickly.

The magic angle to skip a spinning stone is 20 degrees

The traditional shoreside activity—reputedly practiced by luminaries Shakespeare and Homer—can be broken down into its bare physics, from hydrodynamics and momentum to gravity.

The side effects of falling back and springing forward

Daylight saving time can interfere with a person’s sleep schedule, but it also has been linked to increased rates of depression, heart attack, stroke, cancer, and car accidents. UT Southwestern’s Dr. Joseph Takahashi explains why the time change is bad for your brain and health.

There is a template for how to live a better, healthier day, and it includes a digital sunset

Science suggests that early-morning exercise, later-morning peak work or social time, consistent exercise, and a "digital sunset"—starting to turn down the lights in the evening and avoid screens—are important for circadian health.

People who feel connected to nature also report a higher well-being

Based on data collected from over 38,000 participants across 75 countries, spending time appreciating Earth's beauty appears to increase one's satisfaction with life. Whether it's a hike in the woods, a dip in the ocean, or time spent watching the sunset, the findings held true across a wide range of economic, cultural, and environmental contexts. The findings also indicate that connection to nature fosters experiences of being present and attentive, which are strongly linked to mental health.

Norman Rosenthal’s struggle with SAD inspired him to understand it

The South African doctor migrated to New York City in the 1970s. During his first winter there, he noticed the shorter days had a significant impact on his mood compared to those in his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa, which is much closer to the equator. After three years of this seasonal mood shift, he decided to focus his studies. Hear him speak in this quick narration.

The beauty of the Earth in 80 photos

The world is full of beautiful landscapes, creatures, and scenes. Here's a gallery of 80 incredible photos with explanatory captions to deepen your appreciation for the diverse wonders of Earth.

How people imagine a calendar year

It turns out everybody imagines the abstract calendar year in a simple, concrete way, though there are surprising differences between the exact model and shape of each image. Dive into one writer's collection of tens of thousands of questionnaire responses showing the fascinating consistency and divergence of how people visualize time.

Explore an interactive solar system with 3D visualizations of meteor showers—streams of dust-like debris left behind from comets or asteroids that burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

The key ingredients to life on Earth—and elsewhere

Life can only arise in incredibly specific conditions, an abundance of certain substances like water and phosphorus, lots of time, and the right proximity to a heat-and-light-providing star. These two experts on evolution of life say above all, life requires luck. Here's a list of eight ingredients to life.

Thirty weird facts about Christmas trees

From its fascinating origin to how yours is grown today, these incredible Christmas tree facts will add a little bit more wonder to your holiday season.

Easter symbols and where they actually come from

The secular Easter—bunnies, eggs, baskets, candy—is almost entirely a German import. The egg-laying hare called Osterhase arrived with Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants in the 1700s; children left out nests for it to fill, which eventually became baskets. The word "Easter" itself may trace to Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, though scholars contest the holiday's pagan origins.