SCIENCE IN THE NEWS DAILY

2009 Science Preview: Atom Smasher, Super Spaceflights

from National Geographic News

The economy may slow to a crawl in 2009, but science won't stop. National Geographic asked a panel of experts what surprises the coming year may hold.

Here are some of the things to expect. Rapidly evolving DNA-sequencing techniques are increasingly being applied to animals, which could lead to smarter wildlife management. Meanwhile, Eric Powell, a senior editor at Archaeology magazine, says some of 2009's most exciting digs will be undersea.

The United Nations has designated 2009 the International Year of Astronomy in honor of Galileo, who four hundred years ago became the first to use a telescope for astronomical observation. This year promises advancements the famous Italian could not have imagined.