What the next supernova can teach us, and why astronomers hope it will come from Betelgeuse

Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

Chenoa van den Boogaard, Physics & Astronomy editor In October 2019, astronomers noticed that Betelgeuse, the red supergiant star that forms the left shoulder of the constellation Orion, was beginning to dim. While variable stars such as Betelgeuse regularly experience dim and bright phases throughout their lives, this recent dimming phase was unusual because the […]

Continue reading


Dalgona coffee explained: The science behind why instant coffee foams

Photo by Bhupendra Singh CC0, via Pexel

Joanie Tian, Chemistry editor Canadians are stuck at home to limit the spread of COVID-19, and more and more of us are spending our time worshiping the gods of social media and following TikTok recipes. In these extraordinary times, Dalgona coffee has become a social media star. For those of you who don’t follow as […]

Continue reading


Uncertainty in science communication: Include it or lose it?

Illustration CC0 via Public Domain Vectors

Alice Fleerackers, Science in Society editor How long will physical distancing measures last? Should we all be wearing masks? When will there be a vaccine? These are just some of the questions that have been circulating online since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a deadly new virus threatens to turn our world upside […]

Continue reading


How do you solve a problem like migration?

Photo_credit_Christian_Artuso

Catherine Dale, Borealis Blog editor and New Science Communicators Program Manager I can feel the rapid thrumming of the bluebird’s heart against my palm as I carefully manoeuvre its foot into position over a tiny Ziploc bag. I pick up my nail scissors and take a deep breath to steady my hand. I will only […]

Continue reading


Flashback to some quirky science stories from the last decade

Jasleen Grewal, Communication, Education and Outreach editor This decade is undeniably off to a scary start, what with the Australian bushfires, the Persian Gulf crisis escalation, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. We thought it would be a nice break from current events to look back at the last decade and collate some of the popular […]

Continue reading