Science and Culture Today Discovering Design in Nature
Category

Culture

Peacock_butterfly_(inachis_io)_2
Image: European peacock butterfly, by Charlesjsharp (Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

On Teaching the Evolution Controversy, Misconceptions from Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

There is ongoing debate over whether evolutionary mechanisms can explain life's diversity. Read More ›
A stellar fingerprint
Showcased at the centre of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is an emission-line star known as IRAS 12196-6300. Located just under 2300 light-years from Earth, this star displays prominent emission lines, meaning that the star’s light, dispersed into a spectrum, shows up as a rainbow of colours marked with a characteristic pattern of dark and bright lines. The characteristics of these lines, when compared to the “fingerprints” left by particular atoms and molecules, can be used to reveal IRAS 12196-6300’s chemical composition. Under 10 million years old and not yet burning hydrogen at its core, unlike the Sun, this star is still in its infancy. Further evidence of IRAS 12196-6300’s youth is provided by the presence of reflection nebulae. These hazy clouds, pictured floating above and below IRAS 12196-6300, are created when light from a star reflects off a high concentration of nearby dust, such as the dusty material still remaining from IRAS 12196-6300’s formation.

Why Past History Cannot Be Infinite: There Must Be a Beginning

Some atheists, understanding the possible theological implications of a beginning, prefer to set aside science. Read More ›
teens in classroom
group of students takes the test in class
Image credit: © yanlev / Dollar Photo Club.

Picture This: What Teaching the Controversy over Evolution Looks Like in the Classroom

In general terms, as I wrote to a parent recently, we recommend that students learn more about evolution, not less. Read More ›

© Discovery Institute