Space Solar system has a tail shaped like a four-leaf clover Looking down along the line of the tail, the rough four-leaf clover shape can be seen, its lobes false-coloured in red and yellow. The sun is the dot in the centre of the wider circle, which represents the 'termination shock' at which the solar wind abruptly slows down Side view of the sun as it … 51¶¯Âþ
Technology Hands on the wheel, mind on the road – not cyberspace In-car connectivity that uses hands-free technology is an accident waiting to happen Opinion
Technology $25 gadget lets hackers seize control of a car After journalist Michael Hastings's death, there were rumours that his car had been hacked. Now two researchers say they can do it for real 51¶¯Âþ
Life Skull shots: When Irving Penn peeled away the skin (Image: The Irving Penn Foundation, courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London) WHEN I was a kid I found a roe deer's head, still partially covered in flesh and fur. I wasn't allowed to keep it, so this image – simple, clean, hygienic – is the next best thing. (I wanted the skull as much for its resemblance … Regulars
Physics Particle puzzle: Honey, I shrunk the proton Curious goings-on at the heart of the atom may be pointing to a new force of nature Features
Space Holiday reading: The dark glamour of astronomy Those seeking certainty in the heavens are likely to miss vital human operations around them (Image: Ben Hobbs/Millennium) If your holiday takes you under dark skies, you might want a novel with astronomy at its heart: try The Movement of Stars , Equilateral or The Falling Sky Enter our prize draw: Click here for a … CultureLab
Enigma Number 1758 Path-o-logical Our local park is rectangular, with each of its sides a whole number of metres in length, the longer sides exceeding the shorter ones by 25 metres. The boundaries run north-south and east-west. There are two straight paths of equal length. One runs from the gate at the south-west corner of the park to … Regulars
Feedback: Sneakers made of stingrays Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more Sneakers made of stingrays RECENTLY Feedback was wondering about a shop in the UK town of Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, offering "Animal Designer Accessories" (4 May) . Could this allow us to design an animal to our own specifications, we wondered. Sasha … Regulars