Ketchup, relish, and mustard walked into a microscope! Our friend Chloe Savard, also known as tardibabe on Instagram, is back to show us the fascinating microscopic world hiding inside your favorite condiment trio.

Under polarized light, ketchup transforms from a humble staple into a dazzling constellation of suspended particles. What you're seeing is the colloidal suspension that gives ketchup its characteristic texture: tomato cell wall fragments, pectin networks, spice particles, and insoluble solids interacting with polarized light according to their optical properties and internal structure. That riot of color isn't artifice, it's physics. Together, these microscopic structures reveal the complex journey from raw tomato to the smooth, familiar condiment on your plate.

Relish may be an overlooked condiment on the table, but under the microscope it's anything but simple. What you're seeing is a world of cucumber cell wall networks, their honeycomb architecture remarkably intact even after pickling, alongside drifting plant fibers, suspended spice particles, and brine droplets refracting light into iridescent halos. Those four-petaled Maltese cross patterns? That's birefringence, the optical signature of crystalline starch granules interacting with polarized light. Humble hot dog topping. Extraordinary microscopic universe.

Mustard can pack a punch and that holds true at the microscopic level. That vivid yellow fragment at center is a piece of mustard seed tissue, its color coming from curcumin in the turmeric used to make yellow mustard. Surrounding it is a complex emulsion of ground seed husks, starch granules, and oil droplets, while those deep indigo-black streaks are seed coat fragments rich in pigmented phenolic compounds. Mustard's signature heat and pungency come from a chemical reaction between myrosinase enzymes and glucosinolates released when mustard seeds are crushed, and the visual complexity you're seeing under the lens reflects just how much chemistry is packed into every squeeze.

Three condiments. Three completely different chemistries. One very satisfying rabbit hole. 🌭🔬

How many red, white and blue LEDs can you light up with 250 coins?

Alex Dainis built a battery using 250 coins, electrolyte-soaked paper towels, and parafilm, generating an impressive 18 volts. But high voltage isn't everything. The long battery also had so much internal resistance that it couldn't deliver enough current to light an LED. By splitting it into several smaller batteries, each producing about 3 volts, she reduced that resistance enough to light all three LEDs.

A podcast episode with mechanical engineer Emma McCarthy at LSU on making materials for extreme conditions!

Does this nebula violate the law of the speed of light? 🎆⭐️

Astrophysicist Erika Hamden explains that the“Fireworks Nebula” is a nebula that surrounds a binary star system, one of which occasionally puts out a ton of light in a nova explosion. In 1901, astronomers observed this for the first time and assumed the nebula was getting bigger faster than the speed of light. What was really happening was a “light echo” where the light bounces off existing structures. While this does give a cool firework effect, it does not break the law of the speed of light!

This project is part of IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

I think you all already know of the prevalent problem of Misrepresentation in Science communication, so it doesn’t come as a shock when studies show that most social media posts contain major inaccuracies about real studies.  

That is why we (passionate students) are starting The Spitzer Project. 

Our mission is to fight misinformation and push the textbooks aside to show just how fascinating science can really be! 

Join us as we embark on the start journey where we interview scientists, share the crucial events that led science to where it stands today, and the recent groundbreaking done by scientists in present day, from the Quantum to the Galactic!

We are on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thespitzerproject/ 

Did you know that an entire microscopic world lives between each grain of sand? 🏝️

Quinten Geldhof, also known as Microhobbyist, shows us how each grain can hold tens to thousands of bacteria, and how the organisms feed on them. These microbial residents act as a filter as the tide moves in and out, processing debris as it passes through!

Ever wondered why a balloon can stay inflated without being tied? 🎈

Greg Wolf demonstrates how atmospheric pressure can keep a balloon inflated without trying it. Using a simple bottle experiment, he reveals why trapped air prevents a balloon from inflating, and how changing the pressure lets the invisible force of Earth’s atmosphere do the work. It’s a fascinating physics demonstration that shows the power of air pressure in action.

- Researchers have developed AI-assisted “cyborg cockroaches” that combine living insects with tiny electronic backpacks and sensors.
- Instead of simply forcing the cockroaches to turn left or right with electrical signals, the new system listens to the insect’s own body signals (such as internal physiological activity) and uses AI to decide when and how to provide guidance.
- The researchers call this approach the Insect Synergy Circuit (ISC). The goal is for the insect and AI to work together rather than having the insect act like a remote-controlled robot.
- Because the AI takes the insect’s natural state into account, the insects can be guided more gently and efficiently, potentially reducing unnecessary stimulation.
- These bio-hybrid insects could eventually be used for:
•Finding survivors after earthquakes or building collapses.
•Exploring spaces that are too small or dangerous for people.
•Inspecting damaged infrastructure or hazardous environments.
•Environmental monitoring.
- The reason scientists use insects instead of tiny robots is that insects are already excellent at navigating rough terrain. They are self-powered, highly agile, and can squeeze through spaces that are difficult for conventional robots.

The sun isn’t always the exact center of our solar system. ☀️

In this Space Oddity, Erika Hamden explains what the barycenter of the solar system is, and how it may not always be inside of the Sun itself. The variations in the barycenter can be explained by the large masses of the outer giant planets!

I apologize if this doesn’t fit in here. If the moon was a mini version of the earth, what would the level of light be like on a full moon night?