Scientific Evidence

Scientific Evidence

dark matter
Dark matter has never been directly detected, but the astronomical evidence for its existence is overwhelming. Here's what to know.
A circular diagram illustrating the observable universe, showing planets, stars, galaxies, and cosmic background radiation layers—revealing where Big Bang echoes still linger.
If you think of the Big Bang as an explosion, we can trace it back to a single point-of-origin. But what if it happened everywhere at once?
A woman sits at a desk covered with tall stacks of papers, reviewing and pointing to documents as she conducts a purpose-driven peer review in a busy office setting.
Just because a paper passes peer review doesn't mean that what's written, or what the author asserts, is true. Here's why it still matters.
Mars rover on rocky terrain, showing its camera mast, equipment, and six wheels against a dusty, reddish Martian landscape.
Organic compounds can form through simple chemistry alone — making the search for true biosignatures trickier than it seems.
Two identical, intricate, circular geometric patterns with symmetrical, multicolored lines and shapes are displayed side by side on a white background—each subtly reflecting the argument against theory of everything’s promise of perfect symmetry.
The Holy Grail of physics is a Theory of Everything: where a single equation describes the whole Universe. But maybe there simply isn't one?
Abstract collage with a butterfly, brain sketches, graphs, and scientific diagrams overlaid with red, black, and beige shapes and textured patterns.
A conversation with neuroscientist Erik Hoel about the future of consciousness research.
Abstract illustration of a human figure with glowing neural-like lines and bright light concentrated around the head, set against a red and orange gradient background.
Introducing Big Think's Consciousness Issue.
space expanding
Just 13.8 billion years after the hot Big Bang, we can see 46.1 billion light-years away in all directions. Doesn't that violate...something?
A person in a suit holds up a NOAA map showing the forecast track and intensity of Hurricane Dorian, reminding us that, unlike Einstein, we can't change the facts—only prepare for them—in an office setting.
Einstein is credited with saying, "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." What he actually said has a very different meaning.
An older man in a suit and red tie sits on a chair against a white backdrop, with a colorful outer space scene in the background.
1 min
“An equation, perhaps no more than one inch long, that would allow us to, quote, 'Read the mind of God.'”