Stephen Ornes

Freelance Writer

Stephen Ornes has been writing for Science News Explores since 2008, and his 2014 story "Where Will Lightning Strike?" won an AAAS/Kavli Gold Award. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and he has three children, who are inventing their own language. His family has a cat, six chickens, and two rabbits, but he secretly thinks hagfish are the most fascinating animals. Stephen has written two books. One is a biography of mathematician Sophie Germain, who was born during the French Revolution. The other, which was published in 2019, features art inspired by math. Visit him online at stephenornes.com.

All Stories by Stephen Ornes

  1. Fossils

    End of big bug era

    Flying predators probably gobbled up the biggest of the large flying insects 150 million years ago

  2. Space

    Galactic mashup

    Save the date: The Milky Way will merge with its nearest large neighbor in about 4 billion years.

  3. Brain

    The smell of old people

    Tests show that older adults have a distinct odor, but it isn’t bad.

  4. Brain

    Candy on the brain

    Imaging reveals brain regions that become active when you want someone else’s stuff.

  5. Animals

    Mammals feel the heat

    Scientists predict some animals won’t be able to keep up with Earth’s increasing temperatures.

  6. Computing

    DNA takes notes

    Engineers develop a computer memory system based on living cells.

  7. Earth

    Slowing ice flows

    New satellite study of glacier motion shows stop-and-go ice movement.

  8. Space

    Black hole’s big gulp

    Astronomers say a bright flare in space shows where a black hole tore apart a star.

  9. Brain

    Seeing swirling snakes

    Brain scientists watch the eyes of people watching an optical illusion.

  10. Math

    Math for hungry birds

    Seabird traces patterns while searching for food.

  11. Science & Society

    Obesity linked to location

    Kids living near parks or markets less likely to be extremely overweight.

  12. Physics

    Dark matter search turns up empty

    Star study suggests our cosmic neighborhood may be lacking invisible matter.