Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Who Owns the Land on Mars?

"Finders keepers" doesn't work here.

Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets?

Because it's amazing, that's why. (But also, you know, comfort.)

What is a Grand Jury?

A grand jury is considered the "sword and the shield" of the judicial system.

What Makes a Crime a Hate Crime?

What makes a crime a hate crime? Legally speaking, it's largely a question of the offender's motivation.

Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs?

The issue of body size and lifespan is a fascinating topic in biology—across many species.

Why Can't Dogs Eat Chocolate?

It comes down to theobromine, a chemical in chocolate that dogs can't metabolize as quickly as humans.

A plate of Chinese takeout with egg rolls and duck sauce

What is Duck Sauce?

It all depends on where you live.

Why Do Male Lions Have Manes?

The ladies love it.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

They power everything from off-grid rural facilities to your neighbor's home. Here's how they do it.

What Is the Fastest Animal in the World?

If you blurted out "cheetah!" you're only a little bit right.

Did the Romans Ever Conduct Archaeological Expeditions In Search of Ancient Artifacts?

They were interested in learning about the past, but the idea of systematically looking around for the unknown wasn’t really on their radar.

What's the Longest Bridge in the World?

Drive slow enough, and it could take you nearly an hour to cover some of the world's longest connecting structures.

Why Is Soda Measured in Liters?

American measurement standards are all over the place.

Where Is the Hottest Place on Earth?

It gets much, much worse than Phoenix.

How Does Autopilot Work on an Airplane?

The autopilot is a powerful computer that takes input from either the pilot or a navigation device and essentially does what it is told to do.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

How Many Rings Does Saturn Have?

It’s hard to know exactly, but suffice it to say, a lot.

How Do I Plan an Affordable (and Awesome) Vacation?

At first blush, it might seem as though the travel bug you recently caught and your salary are totally incompatible. But do a little research and you start to realize that isn’t the case at all. You can plan a fantastic vacation even if you’re working wit