Latest from Bob McDonald
Analysis: Bob's blog
Clearest images of sun's atmosphere yet show coronal rain and dancing plasma
New images that are the highest resolution ever taken of the surface of the sun and its corona are revealing details that have never been seen before. These stunning pictures will help scientists solve mysteries about how storms on the sun develop.
Analysis: Bob's blog
With uncertainty around life on Mars, human visits present an ethical dilemma
Sterilizing robotic spacecraft to prevent contamination is one thing, but sterilizing human beings is impossible. We are substantially made of bacteria, and those organisms will travel with us to Mars.
Analysis: Bob's blog
Russian spacecraft expected to survive death plunge to Earth later this week
A Russian probe that's been stuck in Earth's orbit since the 1970s when it was supposed to land on Venus will likely survive what astronomers are calling its 'final death plunge' through our planet's atmosphere to reach the surface in the next week.
Analysis: Bob's Blog
De-extinction or pre-extinction? Biotech company's resurrected 'dire wolves' raise questions
Scientists created a version of the extinct dire wolf. But we should be directing our resources to preventing extinction in the first place.
Analysis: Bob's blog
How chimpanzee tool use provides insight into early human behaviour
Chimps apply engineering skills to select tools with the right characteristic for hunting termites. This can teach us more about how ancient humans learned to use tools.
Analysis: Bob's Blog
Assault at Antarctic base could be a warning for future travellers to Mars
A tense situation among members of an isolated base in Antarctica could foretell conflicts among astronauts on a long distance journey to Mars.
Analysis: Bob's Blog
Advances in solar technology could push us closer to cheap, clean energy
There has been great hope for perovskite solar cells because they have the potential to produce low cost solar energy in a wide variety of applications, where conventional cells will not work.
Analysis: Bob's blog
European Paralympic athlete in line to become the first disabled astronaut in space
British Paralympian John McFall has formally completed his astronaut training, and is now on the waiting list for a spot to fly to the International Space Station, which would make him the first disabled person to reach orbit.
Analysis: Bob's blog
Does ELIZA, the first chatbot created 60 years ago, hold lessons for modern AI?
Using code that was thought to be lost for nearly 60 years, scientists brought the world's first chatbot back to life for anyone to try.
Analysis: Bob's blog
Falling space debris could increasingly affect airline traffic, research finds
A new study from researchers at UBC found that the chance of debris entering air space around major cities is as high as 26 per cent each year.