In Search of the Shadow Universe

What if there's a hidden universe right beneath our noses? A shadowy world where dark matter clumps together to form invisible stars, invisible planets and even invisible life.

Published: January 9, 2014 at 12:00 am

On sale date: 9th January 2014

Issue: 264

In Search of the Shadow Universe

What if there's a hidden universe right beneath our noses? A shadowy world where dark matter clumps together to form invisible stars, invisible planets and even invisible life. That's the bold claim of physicists in the US trying to make sense of dark matter, which makes up the vast majority of the matter in the Universe. Find out more inside this month'sFocus.

PLUS What is dark matter? Become an expert in five minutes.

How to Beat the Lurgy

If you've just sneezed at your screen, don't despair. We reveal the science that will help you keep the bugs at bay and survive the seasonal barrage of ailments. Come down with a cold? Fed up with the flu? Then you need to read our guide!

Preparing for Mars

It's only a matter of time before the first humans head towards Mars, and preparation is well underway. In some of the remotest corners of the world, researchers are flocking to try out the Martian way of life, working, sleeping and eating as if they're on Mars itself. We reveal why the quest to conquer the Red Planet starts on Earth.

Also inside this issue:

Dolphins: Are they really all that smart?

The mystery hum: What's causing the strange humming noise?

Beyond HD: Hyperreal TVs with four times more pixels

Quantum computing: The revolution is here

Plus

How Do We Know:What stars are made of?

Q&A:Are biscuits addictive?

MegaPixel:Awe-inspiring images from the world of science

Tech Hub:We get our hands on the Sony PlayStation 4

To Do List:Secrets of Boneson BBC Four

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