New Scientist reporter Matthew Sparkes secured unrivalled access to Chernobyl's most crucial scientific sites, where ...

Ever since the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in 1986, scientists have needed to monitor radioactive conditions inside.

The April 26, 1986 explosion of the Number 4 reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is often considered to be the worst nuclear disaster in history, one that has been covered countless times.

Almost 40 years ago, reactor number four exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Since then, the surrounding area has become, to the surprise of many, one of Europe’s largest nature reserves.