The magnetic compass that birds use for orientation is affected by polarized light. That is the finding of researchers in Sweden, who studied zebra finches navigating a simple maze and found that the ...

How does a magnetic compass work? Well, it’s all down to basic physics and human ingenuity. The key component of a standard baseplate compass is its magnetized needle, which is allowed to spin freely ...

Scientists have identified a new component of the complex navigational system that allows monarch butterflies to transverse the 2,000 miles to their overwintering habitat each year. Monarchs use a ...

NOAA scientists have spent decades tracking how magnetic north wanders, but recent modeling shows a pole moving in ways ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Modern technologies like GPS and cell signal triangulation have ...

Migratory birds make epic journeys of thousands of kilometers each year, navigating with the help of Earth’s magnetic field. Yet the mechanism behind the biological compass that enables them to ...

For three years, the experiment wouldn’t work, and Henrik Mouritsen couldn’t figure out why. He had captured European robins and placed them in funnel-shaped cage in a windowless room. The funnel was ...