Sophie Zhao (sophie-zhao)

szhao60 [ at ] stuy [ dot ] edu

szhao60@stuy.edu

Sophie Zhao ('26) is a Science writer. She loves writing about physics and astronomy. In her free time, she likes reading, playing chess, eating spicy food, and traveling.

Lasers and Peacocks

Peacock tails contain microstructures capable of producing laser light.

Issue 2, Volume 116

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The Human Body and Mind After Space Travel

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally back on Earth after being stranded in space for nine months. Their prolonged time in space significantly impacted their health.

Issue 15, Volume 115

The Fires That Set LA Ablaze

Los Angeles’s raging wildfires are the product of perfect environmental conditions of dryness and windiness. Efforts are being taken to reduce the harmful effects of toxic debris.

Issue 10, Volume 115

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The IYPT—a New Opportunity for Physics Enthusiasts at Stuyvesant

Interested in conducting physics research? Join Stuyvesant’s new IYPT team and investigate diverse topics in physics through research and experimentation!

Issue 6, Volume 115

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The Brightest Comet In 27 Years

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is the brightest comet in 27 years to travel past Earth. Learn more about comets like Comet A3, how they form, and how to spot them!

Issue 5, Volume 115

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STEM Clubs—Old and New

Gavin Lin, Maya Soni, Sophie Zhao

Explore some of the newest and underrepresented STEM-related clubs at Stuyvesant!

Issue 3, Volume 115

Stranded In Space: The Starliner Delay and Astronaut Health Risks

Andrew Zhang , Sophie Zhao

The Boeing Starliner left two astronauts stuck on the ISS until 2025 due to a thruster malfunction. The astronauts’ extended time in space can result in adverse effects on their health. Art Request: Two astronauts floating inside a space station

Issue 2, Volume 115

Solar Flare Season

Elma Khan, Sophie Zhao

As of May 2024, there is a continued increase in the number of solar flares ejected by the Sun. Learn more about the causes of this spike in solar activity and its resulting implications on Earth!

Issue 17, Volume 114

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What’s Up With QED?

Maximiliano Pettica, Sophie Zhao

Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is an elusive topic discussed in modern physics. Learn more about the history of QED and the behavior of subatomic particles and electromagnetic radiation!

Issue 16, Volume 114

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Behind the April 5th Earthquake And Other Earthquakes

In the morning of April 5, 2024, U.S. states along the East Coast were shaken by an earthquake centered in New Jersey at a moderate magnitude. Learn more about the causes of earthquakes like this and how to prepare for an earthquake!

Issue 14, Volume 114

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Visible In NYC: The April 8th Solar Eclipse

For the first time in decades, New York State will be in the path of totality for the eclipse on April 8, 2024. Learn more about how eclipses work, scientific research on eclipses, when to view the eclipse this year, and how to watch it safely!

Issue 13, Volume 114

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Resolving the Grandfather Paradox

The grandfather paradox has intrigued the scientific community for decades regarding time travel and causality. Though some believe that the paradox can’t happen, others believe that quantum mechanics can resolve the paradox.

Issue 10, Volume 114

Born Out of This World

Dutch Company SpaceBorn United proposes the use of special IVF technology to make human reproduction in space possible.

Issue 7, Volume 114

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A Snapshot of the World of Electrons

The 2023 winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics developed and implemented a technique to record electron behavior.

Issue 6, Volume 114

Our Fate Of Longer Days And Nights

The sun and moon heavily influence the length of Earth’s days. Earth days are growing longer, and global warming accelerates this process.

Issue 4, Volume 114

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The Black Hole Paradox—Is There A Way Out?

The Black Hole Paradox concerning information loss in black holes puzzled physicists for decades. Recently, scientists found a promising solution using principles of quantum mechanics.

Issue 3, Volume 114

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Shining Light Through Double-Slits In Time

A group of physicists from Imperial London College recreated the famous double-slit experiment but using the domain of time.

Issue 15, Volume 113

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