Magazine

September-October 2008

Current Issue

September-October 2008

Volume: 96 Number: 5

The past half-century has witnessed incredible advances in the capabilities of satellites, leading to unprecedented insights into our planet. As Andy J. Tatem, Scott J. Goetz and Simon I. Hay report in "Fifty Years of Earth-observation Satellites," these devices, now numbering more than 150, are essential for monitoring events both natural and influenced by human activities, such as the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Imagery from space can help avert disaster by keeping tabs on potentially hazardous areas, such as the active volcano Sakura-jima in the center of a bay off the island of Kyushu, Japan. The volcano has been in near-continuous eruption since 1955, releasing gas and ash that often drops on a nearby city. Modern instruments allow satellites to monitor such events despite weather conditions: This image was taken with a synthetic-aperture radar, which can collect data even in the presence of clouds and darkness.

In This Issue

  • Astronomy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Computer
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Ethics
  • Evolution
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Physics
  • Policy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Technology

Evolution "for the Good of the Group"

Edward O. Wilson, David Sloan Wilson

Evolution

Fifty Years of Earth-observation Satellites

Andrew J. Tatem, Scott J. Goetz, Simon I. Hay

Astronomy Biology Chemistry Physics

Views from space have led to countless advances on the ground in both scientific knowledge and daily life

Water News: Bad, Good and Virtual

Vaclav Smil

Environment Ethics Policy

Rational thinking about water may be key to ensuring a clean, plentiful supply

Statins: From Fungus to Pharma

Philip A. Rea

Biology Chemistry Medicine

The curiosity of biochemists, mixed with some obvious economic incentives, created a family of powerful cardiovascular drugs

Scientists' Nightstand

Departments