Big Picture Science

Birds are indicators of changes to come, says Kristen Ruegg, co-director of the Bird Genoscape Project. Changes to bird populations can reveal changes happening to the broader ecosystem. How scientists use genomic data to track the threats birds face: bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

Advances in genomic sequencing have made it easier for scientists to track bird populations. Genoscapes reveal which migratory birds are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and how certain populations have adapted to environmental stressors. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

Scientists from the Bird Genoscape Project are using DNA from feathers to map the migratory routes of birds and pinpoint threats to endangered bird populations. It's "Birds of a Feather" on this week's episode: bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

The whole field of forensic ornithology traces back one woman at the Smithsonian, explains author @cbsweeney.bsky.social. He joins us to discuss the magnificent life of the world's first "feather detective" on this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

Bird expert Roxie Laybourne was often called to investigate feathers found at crime scenes, including poaching cases, homicides, and even an attack on a civil rights activist by a former KKK member. Learn more about feather forensics on this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

"Feather Detective" Roxie Laybourne could identify a bird from the tiniest fragment of a feather - even one that had been marred by plane engines. Her unique skill set helped bring attention to the danger of bird strikes. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

Using only a microscope and a collection of birds, taxidermist Roxie Laybourne pioneered the field of forensic ornithology, changing the world of crime scene investigation and aviation safety. Author @cbsweeney.bsky.social on the world's first feather detective bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

In 1960, a tragic plane crash occurred in Boston Harbor. Amongst those summoned to the scene was a taxidermist from the Smithsonian, whose work identifying bird feathers would reshape aviation safety as we know it today. Learn more on this week's episode: bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

The world's first forensic ornithologist used bird feathers to solve mysteries, from plane crashes to violent crimes. This week, we're diving into the story of "Feather Detective" Roxie Laybourne. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

Roxie Laybourne, the founder of forensic ornithology, used feathers to improve aviation safety. Today, genetic data is giving us an even clearer picture of where birds migrate across the globe. This week, we're “Birds of a Feather” bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

The “feather detective” analyzed feathers to investigate plane crashes and solve murders. Now, DNA analysis is helping us unravel the mystery of where birds migrate and the threats they face. It's “Birds of Feather” this week: bigpicturescience.org/episodes/bir...

As a society that depends on technology, we have to care about space weather, says heliophysicist @craig.deforest.org. He explains how solar activity can affect the technology we rely on to navigate and communicate on Earth. It's a "Celestial Shake-Up" bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

In 2025, NASA launched the "Punch Mission," a constellation of four satellites that will help scientists study the sun's corona and its solar wind. The data may improve our understanding of solar storms and prepare for their impact on electrical devices. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

Two years ago, our sun reached a "solar maximum" in its continual solar cycle, resulting in geomagnetic storms that are dazzling to witness. But this increased activity can create problems for satellites and the GPS signals we get from them. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

The moon still holds many mysteries, explains lunar seismologist Carrie Nunn. By measuring seismic waves, scientists hope to discover new insights about the moon's structure, including the possible impact of asteroid 2024 YR4. It's a "Celestial Shake-Up"! bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

You may have experienced an earthquake before, but likely not a moonquake. A NASA mission called "The Farside Seismic Suite" will deliver two seismometers to a crater on the moon, both to measure moonquakes and the possible impact of an approaching asteroid. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

We know that our moon pulls on the Earth, creating tides. But the Earth's tides also pull on the interior of the moon, creating interesting geological phenomena. Learn more on this week's episode, "Celestial Shake-Up" bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

Humans are returning to the moon, but not to its surface - yet. Artemis II will orbit the moon over the course of 10 days. This crewed flyby will inform future moon landings, including one that NASA hopes to accomplish in 2028. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

We're headed back to the moon. Artemis II is scheduled to launch in the early half of 2026. It will be the first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo 17 departed more than fifty years ago. But the mission isn't the only lunar event catching our attention. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

Astronauts are preparing to go back to the moon. Scientists are tracking an asteroid on a possible collision course with our natural satellite. And our understanding of solar storms continues to grow. This week, we're in a "Celestial Shake-Up" bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

A NASA mission called The Farside Seismic Suite will deliver two seismometers to Schrödinger’s Crater on the moon to measure moonquakes and record the possible impact of asteroid 2024 YR4 on lunar surface. It’s a Celestial Shake-Up on this week’s episode: bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

As Artemis II plans to take us back to the moon, other lunar events are creating a stir at NASA. A separate mission will deliver seismometers to measure moonquakes and record the possible impact of an asteroid on lunar surface. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/cel...

NASA's Europa Clipper is on its way to the icy moon of Jupiter, and is scheduled to arrive in 2030. The data this spacecraft collects could tell us whether or not Europa has environments where life could exist. Check it out on this week’s episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

Despite being so far from our sun, scientists are optimistic that the icy moon Europa could have conditions habitable for life. We explore Europa, from its warmer subsurface seafloor to its thick, icy crust, on this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

Europa's subsurface ocean has long been considered a "hot" candidate for finding conditions habitable for life off-Earth. But now scientists are cooling off on the idea of searching the seafloor, and turning towards its icy crust instead. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

Qubits are the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. They are also divas, explains @livlanes.bsky.social. "They do not like to be interacted with." Find out more about these quantum divas on this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

There are benefits to cooling down - especially for technology. We look at how we create artificial cold that allows quantum computers to run in this week's episode, "Hot to Cold" bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

While humans may not endure well at very low temperatures, some metals have extraordinary properties when the thermostat drops low. We explore the technological benefits of artificial cold for quantum computing in this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

Typically when cells freeze, they burst. But some animals, like tardigrades, can endure cold temperatures by replacing the water in their cells with a type of biological antifreeze. We explore the impact of cold on biology and aging in this week's episode bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...

Some polar plungers enjoy the invigorating feeling of taking a dip in icy water. But are there any biological benefits to cooling our bodies down? This week, we're going from "Hot to Cold" bigpicturescience.org/episodes/hot...