Lists
Meteors, supermoons, a comet and more: your guide to the southern sky in 2024
In 2024 we will see meteor showers, Saturn disappearing behind the Moon, and – if we’re lucky – a comet bright enough to see with the naked eye.
50 years after Evonne Goolagong's Australian Open win, we should remember her achievements – and the racism she overcame
The Wiradjuri woman will be feted at this year’s Australian Open for her remarkable career. But this is also an opportunity for truth-telling.
How do we commemorate the New Zealand Wars? The history of Anzac Day can be a guide
A national day for commemoration of the New Zealand Wars has struggled for attention and public engagement. So did Anzac Day once, and its survival can provide useful lessons.
The world has lost a dissenting voice: Australian journalist John Pilger has died, age 84
Pilger inspired many with his willingness to critique the damaging effects on ordinary people’s lives of capitalism and Western countries’ foreign policies. But he also provoked global controversy.
Cabinet papers 2003: Howard government sends Australia into the Iraq war
The 2003 Cabinet papers, released today by the National Archives of Australia, reveal the machinations over Australia’s entry into the Iraq war.
Want to buy a home telescope? Tips from a professional astronomer to help you choose
A telescope can reveal so much of the night sky, including Saturn’s rings and the Moon’s craters. But choosing the right telescope is a difficult decision – here’s what you need to know.
Will the world see more wars or unrest in 2024? Here are 5 hotspots to watch
From Myanmar to Pakistan, these countries have long-simmering conflicts or increasingly dissatisfied publics that could worsen in the new year.
Want to get into stargazing? A professional astronomer explains where to start
People have been looking up at the stars for thousands of years. Here’s where to start if you want to learn more about the night sky – from spotting easy-to-find constellations to using the best apps.
New Zealand newsrooms saw the rise of 'mob censorship' in 2023, as journalists faced a barrage of abuse
New research shows being a woman or part of a minority as a journalist can increase the likelihood of being targeted with online abuse. The waves of abuse can influence who and what gets covered.
I collect marsupial poo. A crack team of volunteers across Australia helps me out
The Marsupial Microbiome Poop Troop collects the droppings of wild marsupials to help save the lives of orphaned joeys.
NZ report card 2023: near the top of the class in some areas, room for improvement elsewhere
New Zealand was mostly stable in key international rankings and domestic socio-economic measures. But there are signs of slippage in some areas and not enough progress in others.
Seeing a lot of mobile speed cameras on your summer road trips? Here's how they work
As you travel around the country this holidays, you might see some roadside trailers or tripods. They’re mobile road safety cameras and they can catch out a range of bad driver behaviour.
The science of the ideal salad dressing
There is a large energy cost to breaking apart and mixing the water and oil layers. The secret to blending them is to add an extra ingredient known as a ‘surfactant’ or emulsifier, like mustard.
Half-watched TV and part-heard radio: summer Test cricket is steeped in nostalgia, but these 'traditions' have short histories
Summer in Australia is often set to the soundtrack of a Test cricket match. That sentimentality can get in the way of seeing cricket for what it is: a hyper-commercial cash machine.
What if I discover mould after I move into a rental property? What are my rights?
If the cause of the mould is related to the design and construction of the house, rental providers should act.
Alpha, beta, theta: what are brain states and brain waves? And can we control them?
What we ‘see’ in the brain depends on which tool we use to ‘look’ – but each one comes with trade-offs.