Paul Parsons
Dr Paul Parsons is a science writer and analyst based in Aylesbury, England. He is a lapsed cosmologist, a former managing editor of BBC Sky at Night magazine, and once spent a summer working in a toilet roll factory. His books include 'The Beginning and the End of Everything', 'The Science of Doctor Who' and, most recently, '10 Short Lessons in Space Travel'.
Recent articles by Paul Parsons
The science of Dune | Could we terraform Mars?
Dune is set on a desert planet in a distant star system, where science has enabled humans to live and breathe. Could we use the same technology to terraform Mars?
The science of Dune: Could we really make smart drugs?
'The spice' is an extremely precious commodity that greatly enhances the user's mental abilities. Could we recreate this in real life?
Here's how we could make a real-life Dune force field
In the sci-fi epic Dune, characters carry a portable force field that protects them from speeding projectiles. Could we make one of these for real?
Could we make a superhuman?
The hero of the new Dune movie Paul Atreides has superhuman powers, a result of genetic engineering across many generations. Could selectively breeding a 'chosen one' ever become a reality?
Could humans be the dominant species in the Universe, and we just don't know it yet?
In the universe of Dune, humans are one of the only species we see. Could it be that we've evolved on other planets, too?
The science of Dune: where the ideas behind the story's strange universe came from
Dune mixes stories about political greed, ecological abuse and unchecked technological progress in a fully realised universe. Here, we talk to award-winning sci-fi author Stephen Baxter to find out where Frank Herbert’s idea came from and how it shaped what came after it…
Everything you need to know about space travel (almost)
We're a long way from home...
Ingenuity | How the Mars helicopter will fly on another planet
In a space exploration first, NASA is preparing to deploy a chopper on the Red Planet. Flying in a fraction of Earth’s gravity, it should be a sight to behold.
Christmas | 8 maths hacks to get you through the festive season
Use the power of science to make this Christmas the best ever.
Moon landing conspiracy | How to argue with a Moon landing denier
One in six Brits believes that the Apollo 11 landing was a hoax. Our guide can help you debunk their arguments.
Dark energy is hiding in our Universe - here's how we'll find it
New space probes and ground-based telescopes are about to give us our best clues yet about the nature of dark energy - a mysterious, invisible energy field that will determine the fate of our Universe.
New tech for autism
A clever device that scans biometric data could help patients that are on the spectrum.
The next big invention
Discover what determines whether your invention will make millions or just sit in your garden gathering dust.
Nothing is Impossible
Time travel, telepathy, free energy… science-fiction pipe dreams, right? Not according to scientists who are stretching the laws of physics to the brink. Paul Parsons says to hell with the horizon.
Asteroid alert!
They killed the dinosaurs. They wrecked the Moon. And they've appeared in some truly awful movies. But now the United Nations has declared war on asteroids. It's about time, says Paul Parsons