If you want to know what’s going on in particle physics / cosmology, check out Professor Matt Strassler’s blog, Of Particular Significance. Strassler is a theoretical particle physicist at Rutgers University, and seems enthusiastic about explaining his field of expertise to the public in a way that even those with no physics background can understand. He recommends that laypeople start here. In addition to getting the basics of particle physics and the real scoop on topics like the search for the Higgs boson, readers will get a sense for how the media (and a few complicit scientists) sometimes present a distorted view of what’s going on in science. If you see something about physics in the news—for example, the latest results from the Planck mission—be sure to check out what Professor Strassler might have to say about it.