5 Random Scientists

His studies of specimens around the globe led him to formulate his theory of evolution and his views on the process of natural selection.

Planck's earliest work was on the subject of thermodynamics, an interest he acquired from his studies under Kirchhoff

His work culminated with his theory of relativism, which discredited prevailing beliefs that Western civilization is superior to simpler societies.

A pioneer of nuclear physics and the first to split the atom, Rutherford was awarded the 1908 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his theory of atomic structure.

1921 won the Nobel Prize for physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.

The planet, bigger than earth but not so large as to be a gas giant, seems to orbit in its sun’s “goldilocks zone” (not too hot and not too cold), making it potentially capable of hosting liquid water, considered a prerequisite for life as we know it.

With world populations expected to keep growing and potable water projected to grow more scarce over the coming century, a practical and cheap means of desalinating sea water is one of materials science’s holy grails.

The landmark discovery by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) of the once-mythical particle might be the most significant scientific discovery of our lifetimes, but it’s also one of the most surprising.

For decades following the manned Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s, general enthusiasm for space science had slowly ebbed.

After decades of warnings from scientists that our greenhouse gas emissions will soon wreak havoc with the climate, we’re now starting to see the consequences—and they sure aren’t pretty.