Esther Inglis-Arkell, Author at Gizmodo

Why you’ll never see a green star (but an alien might!)

If our eyes were just a little different, we might see green when looking up at our sun. Because they aren’t, we’ll never see a green star no matter where we look. However, alien eyes, when they come to our solar system — or if they’re already here! — might be able to see green…

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Why certain color combinations drive your eyeballs crazy

Why do websites in certain colors seem to rip out your eyeballs? It’s not just the tacky color combination. It’s the fact that your brain gets hijacked to see these colors in 3D. Some appear to recede, while some seem to float forward. It’s called chromostereopsis, and it’s why designers avoid some colors like the…

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Are your eyes and brain forcing you to conform?

Quick! Draw a coffee cup. Or sketch a dog. Or a car. Chances are, if you ask someone else to draw the same object, they’ll sketch it from the same angle you do. This is called canonical perspective, and it has an effect on everything from your mental image catalog to the icons on your…

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This aircraft is being chased by the red death

So this is what the red death looks like when the mask comes off. Or maybe what the fog monster from Lost looks like when it gets some pizzazz. Actually, this swirling vortex of crimson death is a NASA test that lets technicians observe the air disturbance behind a plane. It’s of great value to…

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DeLand’s Paradox is an illusion that can “disappear” a whole person

Let’s say you are cornered by your worst enemy. They will kill you, but being an oddball enemy, they’ll give you one request first. (And the request can’t be “Don’t kill me.” They’re on to that one.) I have a solution for you. Ask them to show you how DeLand’s Paradox works. That will keep…

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What’s the rarest figure eight in the universe?

As many of you have noticed, the planet Earth has not been hurled into space or fallen into the sun. It just keeps orbiting in the solar system. It seems pretty simple, but this fact has baffled minds like Newton. That’s because when you have more than two bodies in an orbiting system, they are…

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The first proof of the Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect is physics that is so ingrained in our brain that even the movies get it right. Any time some character is walking down a street and a car or train rushes past, the sound of the horn drops down a few notes as it passes by. Anything else would be jarring. We…

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At what point would the Earth become a black hole?

Pretty much anything could, in theory, become a black hole if it were squeezed down small enough. At what point would the Earth become a (very unimpressive) black hole in space? We’re going to figure it out, and tell the tale of the Schwarzschild Radius. Karl Schwarzschild is one of those people who make us…

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Why does relativity mean that mass changes with speed?

Everyone knows that relativity plays hell with time, and that it can do a number on space, but what about mass? Why do objects get more or less mass depending on their relative speed? We’re going to give you a quick explanation of why running can make you gain weight. No, we don’t think it’s…

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This is the biggest mirror on Earth

This guy is standing on the flattest, shiniest place on Earth. It takes over a large section of Bolivia, and it’s so flat, dry, and reflective, that it’s used for satellite calibration. If you ever travel to Bolivia, and want to take pictures that will freak out your friends, go to the Salar de Uyuni.…

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6 Reasons Why Batman is Both Perfect and Boring

A few months ago some friends and I were talking about characters who were boring on their own but had wonderful stories built around them. Among the characters discussed were Luke Skywalker, and Harry Potter, and then I brought up Batman. This did not go over well, but I believe it to be true. And…

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We can dye hair with real gold nanoparticles

If we can bedazzle body parts and attach precious stones to our nails, isn’t it time we look for a way to appropriately deck our hair with reprehensible displays of wealth? Science to the rescue! You can now turn your hair brown, with real gold. Although I’m sure he retains a few shreds of parental…

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How to Explain to Children Why, in Space, No One Can Hear Them Scream

We all love that famous movie tagline, but it can be tough for kids to understand. Here’s a basic experiment you can do with kids — or for your own curiosity — to demonstrate exactly how a vacuum can eliminate sound. All it takes is a bottle, a bell, and a couple of matches. Try…

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The Ironic End of the Man who Made Himself Immune to Poison

Legend has it, there was an ancient king who resisted Rome. And he ended the way that most people who resisted Rome did. But, because of his research into poisons, and immunity to poison in particular, his end had an ironic twist that many Romans would have appreciated. Learn about the sad, ironic death of…

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Why can’t any recent Sherlock Holmes adaptation get Irene Adler right?

Irene Adler only appeared in one of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, but she’s considered a pivotal figure in the Holmes canon, nonetheless. And we’ve seen several of the latest Sherlock Holmes interpretations debut their own versions of Irene Adler in recent years. On the plus side, these 21st Century Adlers are more action…

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We have achieved laser-controlled graphite technology

This is totally cool. Watch as graphite is plunked down on a floor of magnets and guided around by a laser. The laser can even get it to spin in place! We’ll tell you how it works. Researchers have created a little laser-guided graphite hoverboard. It scoots along a layer of magnets, seemingly guided by…

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Does multitasking actually improve your memory?

We tend to assume that the best way to remember stuff is to concentrate on it, with no distractions or interruptions. But one influential theory says the opposite is true — you may actually remember stuff better when you’re interrupted in the middle of dealing with it. Find out why the Zeigarnik Effect might mean…

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Stephen Fry explodes balloons with a laser

Who wants to run out and try this? Stephen Fry uses a green laser and a few shouted obscenities from the cast of QI, and bursts three balloons with a laser. He then fails to burst the fourth, but fortunately there’s a quick-fix with a magic marker. This is a fun little segment that gives…

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The Woodward Effect allows for endless supplies of starship fuel

One of the major problems with traveling through space is the need to carry fuel. Scientists have endlessly sought after sources of perpetual, portable fuel for spacecraft. But maybe that was the wrong approach? The Woodward Effect indicates that we might do better manipulating the mass of the fuel that we have. Space travel has…

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Superhydrophobia spawns the Lotus Effect

Ever notice a dirty lotus leaf? How about a wet one? Of course you haven’t. Lotus leaves are so hydrophobic that they can be dry in a rainstorm, while still using the rainstorm to clean themselves off. Now nanotechnology developers are trying to mimic the Lotus Effect. The Lotus Effect has been intriguing technology developers…

io9 Esther Inglis-Arkell

Esther Inglis-Arkell

Why you’ll never see a green star (but an alien might!)

Why certain color combinations drive your eyeballs crazy

Are your eyes and brain forcing you to conform?

This aircraft is being chased by the red death

DeLand’s Paradox is an illusion that can “disappear” a whole person

What’s the rarest figure eight in the universe?

The first proof of the Doppler Effect

At what point would the Earth become a black hole?

Why does relativity mean that mass changes with speed?

This is the biggest mirror on Earth

6 Reasons Why Batman is Both Perfect and Boring

We can dye hair with real gold nanoparticles

How to Explain to Children Why, in Space, No One Can Hear Them Scream

The Ironic End of the Man who Made Himself Immune to Poison

Why can’t any recent Sherlock Holmes adaptation get Irene Adler right?

We have achieved laser-controlled graphite technology

Does multitasking actually improve your memory?

Stephen Fry explodes balloons with a laser

The Woodward Effect allows for endless supplies of starship fuel

Superhydrophobia spawns the Lotus Effect

Utah Is Giving Dr. AI the Power to Renew Drug Prescriptions

Here’s the Perfect Excuse to See ‘Project Hail Mary’ Again

US Airlines Are Hiking Bag Fees Amid Iran War Oil Crisis

This Ridiculously Simple Trick Might Stop Gulls From Nabbing Your Lunch

‘Starfleet Academy’ Season 3 Could Have Done the ‘Voyager’ Sequel Episode of Robert Picardo’s Dreams

Judge Kills Lawsuit Against Infamous Study That Might Have Increased Teen Suicides

Artemis 2: Follow the Mission With Our Live Updates 🔴

Researchers Discover How to Add Psilocybin, DMT, and Other Psychedelics to Tobacco

Fake Videos Are Already Spreading After Two US Air Force Planes Go Down Near Iran

We’re Obsessed With the Meta Fits on These New Star Wars Toys

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026

AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life