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How Did Life Arise? Three Turning Points in Early Evolution

Where did it start? How did it grow complex? Why did it get big? Three moments in Earth’s early history when evolution suddenly, inexplicably turned up the dial.

Β© Photoillustration by Will Warasila for The New York Times

A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon

19 October 2026 at 00:01
The mission, scheduled to launch on Monday, is headed to Phobos, the larger of the two moons of Mars. It could carry back the first samples from the Martian system.

Β© Yuichi Yamazaki/Agence France-Presse β€” Getty Images

The Martian Moons Exploration spacecraft, built by the Japanese space agency, includes components from NASA and European partners.

Before Computer Science Became a Boys’ Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

The woman who helped put astronauts on the moon was a software engineer when the field was not prestigious or lucrative.

Β© Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Before Computer Science Became a Boys’ Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

The woman who helped put astronauts on the moon was a software engineer when the field was not prestigious or lucrative.

Β© Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

OpenAI Releases Findings on 377 Math Problems, Further Roiling Field

After a previous solution angered mathematicians, the company characterized the new release as being more responsive to concerns about A.I. disrupting research.

Β© Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

For 10 of the findings, OpenAI provided summaries of how the A.I. model came up with its solution. The average result took about three hours of computing, the company said.

Despite Setbacks, NASA Gives Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft a Boost

28 September 2026 at 20:15
A previous mission left two astronauts stuck in space for months. Still, the space agency is investing $359 million to keep the craft flying.

Β© NASA, via Associated Press

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft could make another trip to the International Space Station as soon as December, but this time carrying only cargo.

The Mathematician Crushed Between OpenAI and Anthropic Over a Math Problem

11 September 2026 at 09:16
Tristan Buckmaster was on the path toward an important proof when one of the A.I. giants used its staggering resources to get there first.

Β© Graham Dickie for The New York Times

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