Pasadena's California Institute of Technology (Caltech) announced today that a team of astronomers led by Caltech scientists have discovered three of the smallest confirmed planets ever detected outside our solar system, increasing the likelihood of the existence of habitable planets. more ›

Students who get into the California Institute of Technology, aka Caltech, you have really, truly, seriously earned some bragging rights. Based on data collected by The Business Journals On Numbers, Caltech was not only deemed to be the most selective in its respective region, but it is also the most selective university in the nation based on admission rates and entrance-exam scores. more ›

The exact location in the brain that influences a gambler's belief that payoff is headed their way has been discovered by Caltech researchers, it was announced on Saturday, reports the Daily News. For example, despite perhaps intellectually knowing that mathematical odds don't change at a slot machine, say, people may sit at the same machine for hours because they think they're "due" for a jackpot. more ›

Another study means another strong showing for California universities. The London-based Times Higher Education just released their first rankings of universities based on global reputations for research and teaching. The results are based on a survey of 13,388 academics in 131 countries. more ›

The Caltech Beavers won its first conference basketball game since 1985 last night, narrowly edging out the Occidental Tigers in the final game of the 2010-11 season. The victory marked the end of a 310-game losing streak for the Beavers. more ›

One of the oldest (and most famous) Russian string quartets visits LA to perform a few works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Borodin. Tickets are 15-45 dollars and the concert takes this place next Sunday at 3:30 PM, at Beckman Auditorium in CalTech. For more information, click here. more ›

Here in sunny Southern California we don't get to take an up-close look at snowflakes very often--if at all--and hardly anyone in the world gets to look at them the way Caltech physics professor Ken Libbrecht has. more ›

Some much-deserved props for one of our local prestigious academic institutions, thanks to the London-based Times Higher Education's World University Rankings. more ›

Long awaited by academics every year, U.S. News and World report today unveiled their 27th list of college rankings for universities and liberal arts colleges. And lots of applause should go locally. Among the top 50 universities were six in Southern California: CalTech (#7), USC (#23), UCLA (#25). UCSD (#35), UCSB (#39) and UC Irvine (#41). more ›

Kleenex alert: Anne Lamott's just-released seventh seventh novel, Imperfect Birds, brings back the characters of Elizabeth and the now-teenaged Rosie that were chronicled in Lamott's earlier books Rosie and Crooked Little Heart. more ›

Seismologists at CalTech have sprung into action to begin work to determine precisely how big this afternoon's earthquake in Baja, California was, and to get information about its depth, epicenter, and faultline. As is always the case with seismic activity, there is a 5 % chance that there is a larger quake to come in the next 24 hours from the same fault line. more ›

To date, Caltech has earned themselves 82 awards from the year-old American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, totaling more than $33 million and supporting 93 jobs, the school announced today. The money has gone towards studies on how to reduce jet noise, an upgrade to the Southern California Seismic Network, a catalog of jellyfish DNA and the California High School Cosmic Ray Observatory (CHICOS) program, which provides high school students access to cosmic ray research, among other programs. "We're grateful to have this opportunity to advance research designed to benefit the entire country," said says Caltech president Jean-Lou Chameau in a statement. more ›

Just because it is February and freezing cold rain has been pouring down on us doesn't mean you can't enjoy a little bit of the tropics in L.A. Domingosiete plays its uniquely L.A. brand of Cuban son at La Cita tonight. Show starts at 10 and don't forget your dancing shoes. more ›

Shopping while under the influence? Hmmm. You can do that tonight, if you wish -- as long you don't add driving to the equation. Apartment 3 sets up shop at the Tropicana Bar and Pool at the Roosevelt Hotel. Featured designers include Anzevino & Florence, Evil Genius and Anna Selena. Other vintage items will also be available for sale. The pop up shop opens its doors at 9 pm. Drinks and DJ Kid Oh will add to the atmosphere. RSVP to danddrsvp@mac.com more ›

What's the holiday season without one of the most popular and famous works in Western choral literature -- George Frideric Handel's "Messiah"? And who doesn't like sing-alongs? (Remember our love for The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at the Hollywood Bowl?) So many questions, so many... Los Angeles Master Chorale: Messiah Sing-Along Monday, December 10 & Sunday, December 16 @ 7:30 pm Walt Disney Concert Hall Angeles Chorale: George Frideric Handel Messiah December 15 @... more ›

MUSIC: CalTech isn’t just about nerdy rocket scientists. They have glee clubs, too! All kidding aside, tonight's concert will feature traditional holiday favorites as well as the Women's Club taking on Porpora’s Magnificat, written in the 1730s. 8 pm // Dabney Lounge at California Institute of Technology // 1200 East California Blvd., Pasadena // Free. DANCE: From CalTech, we’ll head over to CalArts in Valencia. The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance is holding its... more ›

As happens every year, the wattage from the collective star-power gathered for the Oscars turns the universe into a dim bulb. But just before the big day, local braniacs at Cal-Tech have managed up another amazing astronomical feat. Using the Spitzer infrared Space Telescope, scientists peered at two planets, (360 and 904 trillion miles away) and for the first time, were able to identify molecules in an extra-solar atmosphere. The problem observing planets orbiting... more ›

Proof that science fair kids know how to have fun: some enterprising Cal Tech students headed to MIT for pre-frosh week last week for some good natured pranking. Most inventive pranks? Outfitting new freshman with t-shirts mocking MIT and placing palm trees on the rooftop of the Big Dome. The Pasadena pranksters did it all in good fun and are hoping that MIT responds in kind by sending their own contingent to Cal Tech's campus soon. more ›