NASA’s Fermi Discovers the Most Extreme Blazars Yet

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has identified the farthest gamma-ray blazars, a type of galaxy whose intense emissions are powered by supersized black holes.
by David McGee
 

 
 

THE HITCH-HIKER (1953)

THE HITCH-HIKER (1953) was a most unusual noir: set in the desert, with an all-male cast directed by IDA LUPINO, whose legend looms large in film history. Based on the true story of spree-killer Billy Cook.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘He Brought a Certain Level of Class to the Blues’: Remembering Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, 1930-2013

American music lost a giant with the passing of BOBBY 'BLUE' BLAND. Our tribute offers an overview of his career and a guide to his essential recordings.
by David McGee
 

 
 

LURED (1947)

LUCILLE BALL, GEORGE SANDERS, BORIS KARLOFF, GEORGE ZUCCO and CEDRIC HARDWICKE head a stellar ensemble cast in DOUGLAS SIRK's semi-comedic film noir gem from 1947.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Ol’ Christmas Yin-Yang

GEORGE JONES & TAMMY WYNETTE cut only one Christmas single as a duo, but solo, each artist made worthwhile contributions to seasonal music. This Classic more than earns its title.
by David McGee
 

 
 

It’s All Too Beautiful: Nellie McKay Sounds Off on…Everything

NELLIE MCKAY is never at a loss for words--about animals, the '60s, her new album (MY WEEKLY READER)--and she told it as it is in a lively TALKING ANIMALS interview with DUNCAN STRAUSS
by David McGee
 

 

 

Baby Penguins Everywhere!: A Chat with Melissa Guion

I welcome new-to-the-field illustrator MELISSA GUION. She’s here to share some of her bright, gentle watercolors and talk about her debut title, Baby Penguins Everywhere!, a picture book as much for the parents and teachers o...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ladders to Heaven: A Legend

Famous as a children's book author in the mid-1800s, JULIANA HORATIA EWING was also devoted to 'the practical cultivation of flowers,' as is evident in her paaen to lilies in 'Ladders to Heaven: A Legend,' published in 1891, f...
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Grass Is the Forgiveness of Nature—Her Constant Benediction’

In 1872 Kansas Sen. JOHN JAMES INGALLS, one of the U.S. Senate's most eloquent voices, praised the vitality of the tallgrass prairie in IN PRAISE OF BLUEGRASS--and he wasn't talking music.
by David McGee
 

 
 

NASA to Advance Unique 3D Printed Sensor Technology

Awarded a $2 million technology development award, NASA technologist MAHMOODA SULTANA and her team are developing technology that could benefit efforts to send humans to the Moon and Mars
by David McGee
 

 

 

Saluting Jonathan Winters

We lost a true original with the April 11 passing of JONATHAN WINTERS, an improvisational comedy genius (and author, actor, artist). In VIDEO FILE, we look back on a few of his many special moments.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Cause and Effect

CAUSE AND EFFECT: When the sun spit out a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on Oct. 5, a brilliant aurora appeared three days later over Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. When Earth-directed, CMEs can affect electronic systems in sate...
by David McGee