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Tomorrow Today: The Science Magazine

DW Germany

Dive in to the fascinating world of science with Tomorrow Today. Your weekly dose of science knowledge. A show for everyone who's curious -- about our cosmos and how it works.

Location:

Köln, Germany

Networks:

DW Germany

Description:

Dive in to the fascinating world of science with Tomorrow Today. Your weekly dose of science knowledge. A show for everyone who's curious -- about our cosmos and how it works.

Language:

English


Episodes
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What color is smoke?

1/4/2024
The color of smoke depends on what’s burning, and how it’s being burned. Smoke can be black, white, or grey – and chemicals can even make it colorful. This week’s viewer question comes from Harfiz Abu B. from Ghana.

Duration:00:02:02

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Tambora 1815 - Super explosion with global impact

12/16/2023
1816 became known in Europe as the "Year Without a Summer". The year before, Indonesia’s Mount Tambora had erupted in a huge explosion. Ash from the volcano darkened skies around the globe, resulting in failed harvests, famine and epidemics.

Duration:00:08:05

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Simulated eruptions - Explosions in the laboratory

12/16/2023
When does a volcano explode? And when does it erupt more gently, without an explosion? It's a question volcanologists are seeking to answer. No one can look inside a volcanic vent. But laboratory experiments can show how magma erupts and explodes.

Duration:00:00:37

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Can you see the stars from the surface of the moon?

12/11/2023
Contrary to what photos taken by Apollo astronauts suggest, stars are indeed visible from the moon. But they appear differently to what they do here on Earth.

Duration:00:02:20

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What is the difference between fog and clouds?

11/27/2023
Clouds and fog both form when water vapor condenses. So what's the difference between them?

Duration:00:02:17

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How do solar panels work?

11/18/2023
Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy, and have turned into a key contributor for making energy supplies more sustainable. But how do they actually work?

Duration:00:02:01

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What is fog, and how does it form?

11/7/2023
Fog coalesces when water vapor condenses. The resulting droplets reflect light and obscure vision. This week's viewer question comes from Dobrila B. from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Duration:00:02:21

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What are the Pillars of Creation?

11/2/2023
Some 7,000 light-years from Earth are gigantic cosmic columns of dust and gas. Because new stars are coalescing there, the formation is known as the Pillars of Creation.

Duration:00:02:30

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What are contrails and how do they form?

10/24/2023
Condensation trails are linear artificial clouds that form from the exhaust of airplanes. Do they have an effect on the climate? This week's viewer question comes from Al Ben M. in Panama.

Duration:00:02:31

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What is your blood made of? Where is it formed?

9/16/2023
In adults, blood is formed in short, flat bones like the ribs and sternum. This week's viewer question comes from Monica Bustos in Colombia.

Duration:00:02:16

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Why are auroras only at the Earth's poles?

9/11/2023
Auroras can have very different shapes and colors. They occur when solar particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field. This week's viewer question comes from Rafael Nuñez in Finland.

Duration:00:02:31

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Do all animals dream?

9/7/2023
And how can we tell what they're dreaming? Researchers want to reveal the secrets of animal dreams by measuring the brainwaves of rats.

Duration:00:02:25

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Just ask! What's the difference between male and female brains?

7/29/2023
Men are ambitious, women good at multitasking, right? But how are these various skills reflected in the brain? This week's question for Tomorrow Today comes from Timothy Rintaugu from Kenya.

Duration:00:02:38

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What is love?

7/15/2023
Love originates in the brain, just like other emotions do. It sometimes makes our hormones go crazy and we sometimes can feel like we're on a roller coaster ride. But what exactly is going on inside us when we’re in love?

Duration:00:02:09

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Winglets: Curved tips with a big effect

7/6/2023
Most modern airplanes have curved wingtip devices. How do these "winglets" work, and what benefits do they boast?

Duration:00:01:59

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Can solar flares harm Earth's technology?

7/4/2023
Solar flares are one of the most spectacular events on the sun's surface. These eruptions can significantly impact the functioning of technology on Earth — and our health.This week's Tomorrow Today viewer's question comes from Rodrigo in Ecuador. You can also submit a question to us – just ask! Solar storms cause vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation, which can significantly impact how our technology functions on Earth — and our health. Solar flares appear as a part of the sun's natural cycle, which lasts for about 11 years. During this time, the sun's atmosphere experiences intense magnetic activity, resulting in the formation of sunspots and the release of large amounts of plasma and charged particles into space. This phenomenon is known as the solar cycle. Geomagnetic storms can hit satellites and power grids When a solar flare occurs, it can send a burst of electromagnetic radiation and charged particles toward Earth. If the flare is powerful enough, it can trigger a geomagnetic storm in Earth's atmosphere. These storms can disrupt satellite communication systems, power grids and other technologies that rely on precise timing or accurate data. While solar flares can pose a threat to our technologies and health, there are measures that can be taken to mitigate their effects. Satellites and power grids can be shielded to reduce their vulnerability to electromagnetic radiation, and astronauts can take precautions to protect themselves from radiation exposure.

Duration:00:02:23

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Can tropical cyclones cross the equator?

6/29/2023
So far no tropical cyclone has made it across the equator. It doesn't mean that it is not possible. In recent decades cyclones were rather moving away from the equator.

Duration:00:02:35

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Do the moon and sun always rise in the east?

6/8/2023
The moon appears in the sky in different places at different times. Every day, it comes up around 50 minutes later than it did the day before. But it always rises in the east and sets in the west.

Duration:00:02:22

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How does noise affect plants?

5/25/2023
This week's Tomorrow Today viewer question comes from Mohammad Billoh Jalloh in Sierra Leone.

Duration:00:02:55

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Why is the exosphere hotter than outer space?

5/4/2023
This week’s question comes from Amir Halep in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Duration:00:03:05