In the Science and Technology category we cover topics ranging from basic sciences and engineering to space exploration, artificial intelligence and everyday digital tools. The articles explain key concepts, discoveries, experiments, new technologies and their impact on society in a clear and accessible way.
Nigella sativa is the scientific (Latin) name for what many people call nigella or black seed. In other words, “black seed” is a common name; “Nigella sativa” is the exact botanical name that removes ambiguity. Why the scientific name mattersNigella seeds are sold under different labels across countries: “black seed,” “nigella,” and sometimes even … Read more
Nigella—often called black seed—is the seed of the plant Nigella sativa. In many kitchens it’s a small topping with a big impact: sharp, aromatic, and instantly recognizable on breads and savory pastries. The most common mix-up is with black sesame. They may look similar at first glance, but they are not related and they behave … Read more
Sesame is the seed of the plant Sesamum indicum and a small ingredient with a big role in many cuisines. Used whole, it adds aroma and crunch; ground, it becomes the base for tahini and sesame paste. One key reason sesame is so versatile is its natural oil content. That oil helps sesame develop a … Read more
Black sesame is a variety of sesame seed from the plant Sesamum indicum. Because the seeds are small and dark, black sesame is often confused with nigella (also called black seed). They are not the same ingredient, and they come from completely different plants. 1) Black sesame vs nigella (black seed): the key difference A … Read more
The “longest day” is the day with the most daylight (and the shortest night) in the Northern Hemisphere. It happens around the June (summer) solstice, typically between June 20–22, and most often near June 21. This is driven by Earth’s axial tilt, not by daily weather changes. When does the longest day happen? Example (Istanbul … Read more
The “longest night” is the night that comes with the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It happens around the December (winter) solstice, which falls near December 21 most years (it can shift between Dec 20–22). This is not caused by day-to-day weather. It happens because Earth’s axis is tilted, so sunlight … Read more
The winter solstice is the day with the shortest daylight and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. On this date, the Sun reaches its lowest noon height in the sky for the year, meaning it follows its lowest daily arc and sets earlier. Astronomically, the winter solstice is often considered the start of winter. … Read more
A “shooting star” is the common name for a quick, bright streak of light that appears in the night sky. It is not a real star moving or falling. The streak happens when a tiny piece of rock or dust from space (a meteoroid) enters Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and heats up due to … Read more
Light pollution is the excessive, misdirected, or unnecessary use of artificial light at night. Streetlights, billboards, building lighting, and powerful spotlights can send light upward or scatter it sideways. That stray light spreads in the atmosphere and makes the night sky brighter than it should be—especially over cities. Why does light pollution matter?Light pollution is … Read more
The Geminid meteor shower (Geminids) is one of the strongest meteor showers of the year, observed every December. The bright streaks people often call “shooting stars” are not stars at all—they are small dust and rock particles entering Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burning up due to friction. Meteor terms in simple words Why … Read more
