Discusses the nature of and current research related to binary stars, indicating that the knowledge that most stars come in pairs is critical to the understanding of stellar phenomena. Subjects addressed include aberrant stellar behavior, x-ray binaries, lobes/disks, close binaries, planetary nebulas, and formation/evolution of binaries. (JN)

Astronomers are using aspects of the fundamentals gleaned by the study of the dynamics of superfluids to help understand what happens inside the intensely hot, collapsed, neutron stars that spin and radiate as pulsars. Current research, focusing on the puzzling behavior of helium in its superfluid state, is discussed. (JN)

Discusses the nature of and research related to a theory explaining the earth's electric budget. The theory suggests a global electric circuit completed by a positive current flowing up into thunderstorm clouds, from clouds to ionosphere, distributed around the globe, and down to earth through the lower atmosphere in fair-weather regions. (JN)

Discusses efforts to determine the future of arid lands using climatic data of the past and present. (MLH)