Lisa Grossman

Lisa Grossman

Astronomy Writer

Lisa Grossman is the astronomy writer for Science News. Previously she was a news editor at New Scientist, where she ran the physical sciences section of the magazine for three years. Before that, she spent three years at New Scientist as a reporter, covering space, physics and astronomy. She has a degree in astronomy from Cornell University and a graduate certificate in science writing from UC Santa Cruz. Lisa was a finalist for the AGU David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism, and received the Institute of Physics/Science and Technology Facilities Council physics writing award and the AAS Solar Physics Division Popular Writing Award. She interned at Science News in 2009-2010.

All Stories by Lisa Grossman

  1. Astronomy

    On a mountain in Wyoming, the eclipse brings wonder — and, hopefully, answers

    Astronomy writer Lisa Grossman joined scientists on a mountain in Wyoming who were measuring the corona using four different instruments to try to figure out why it’s so hot.

  2. Astronomy

    Eclipse watchers will go after the biggest solar mystery: Why is the corona so hot?

    Usually when you move away from a heat source, it gets cooler. Not so in the sun’s atmosphere.

  3. Astronomy

    Does the corona look different when solar activity is high versus when it’s low?

    Carbondale, Ill., will get two eclipses in a row, seven years apart — making it the perfect spot to watch the solar cycle in action.

  4. Astronomy

    Cosmic lens lets astronomers zoom in on a black hole’s burps

    The beginnings of a jet from an active black hole in a distant galaxy were spotted thanks to a lucky alignment.

  5. Astronomy

    Where does the solar wind come from? The eclipse may offer answers

    A quick-fire polarization camera should help scientists detect the origins of the solar wind during the Aug. 21 eclipse.

  6. Astronomy

    Why are the loops in the sun’s atmosphere so neat and tidy?

    Observations during the total solar eclipse may explain why the sun’s atmosphere is so organized despite arising from a tangled magnetic field.

  7. Astronomy

    What can the eclipse tell us about the corona’s magnetic field?

    The corona’s plasma jumps and dances thanks to the magnetic field, but scientists have never measured the field directly.

  8. Astronomy

    Can the eclipse tell us if Einstein was right about general relativity?

    During the eclipse, astronomers will reproduce the 1919 experiment that confirmed Einstein’s general theory of relativity.

  9. Astronomy

    What can we learn about Mercury’s surface during the eclipse?

    Instruments aboard twin research jets will take advantage of the total solar eclipse to make the first thermal map of Mercury.

  10. Astronomy

    What happens in Earth’s atmosphere during an eclipse?

    The charged layer of Earth’s atmosphere gets uncharged during an eclipse, and that could have implications for everything from GPS accuracy to earthquake prediction.

  11. Astronomy

    What do plants and animals do during an eclipse?

    A citizen science experiment will gather the biggest dataset to date of animal responses to a total eclipse.

  12. Astronomy

    What will scientists learn from the Great American Eclipse?

    Between now and August 21, astronomy writer Lisa Grossman will explore the top questions scientists will tackle during the 2017 total solar eclipse.