Popular Science

Looking back on iPhone 4S: The device that finally convinced the photography world that smartphones were “real cameras”

By 2011, the iPhone was already a photographic force to be reckoned with, but the 4S era was a huge step toward its current dominance. The post Looking back on...

4 days ago

‘Rock of Starvation’ reappears in Budapest during historic drought

Seeing this hunger stone in the Danube River is not a good sign. The post ‘Rock of Starvation’ reappears in Budapest during historic drought appeared first on P...

4 days ago

Microduck is a robot built to fall down—and learn new tricks

The lampshade-sized robot comes with a simulated twin that uses reinforcement learning to acquire new skills. The post Microduck is a robot built to fall down—a...

4 days ago

Look up! Now’s your chance to spot an unusually luminous comet

Comet 220P/McNaught won't be visible again until 2031—if it lasts that long. The post Look up! Now’s your chance to spot an unusually luminous comet appea...

4 days ago

Scalable robot fish can easily swim in a creek or lake

Engineers designed three different robot fish to explore different bodies of water. The post Scalable robot fish can easily swim in a creek or lake appeared fir...

4 days ago

For ancient Romans, pooping was a group activity

Imagine shared sponges, open seating, rats, and the occasional burst of fire. The post For ancient Romans, pooping was a group activity appeared first on Popula...

4 days ago

I wore the new Arc’teryx ultra-sustainable Sperro SV jacket into the French Alps to test its toughness

Arc'teryx built its new jacket to last for years and endure many repairs before it heads to recycling. It's part of a larger initiative to keep outdoor gear out...

4 days ago

Shokz new bone-conduction headphones and open earbuds are lighter on your head and wallet

If you're looking for affordable fitness-focused audio accessories, run, walk, run to get the OpenRun Air 2 or OpenFit Air 2. The post Shokz new bone-conduction...

4 days ago

Happy Birth-ray! Mystic the cownose ray turns 27

The ray is enjoying her retirement at the New England Aquarium’s Quincy Animal Care Center. The post Happy Birth-ray! Mystic the cownose ray turns 27 appeared f...

4 days ago

These are the best power settings for your Windows or Mac system

Know what your options are, extend your system's lifespan, and save on energy bills. The post These are the best power settings for your Windows or Mac system a...

4 days ago

Could a whale really swallow a human? We asked a biologist.

The new thriller ‘Whalefall’ depicts a diver trapped inside of a sperm whale. The post Could a whale really swallow a human? We asked a biologist. appeared firs...

4 days ago

NASA’s Hubble pops in on a ‘superbubble’

N44 is a baby star nursery only 160,000 light-years away. The post NASA’s Hubble pops in on a ‘superbubble’ appeared first on Popular Science. #science #deeps...

4 days ago

Bush dog puppies sound like birds

European zoos are maintaining populations of this Near Threatened species. The post Bush dog puppies sound like birds appeared first on Popular Science. #envi...

4 days ago

Ancient American cheetahs were not exactly cheetah-like

The extinct big cats stalked grasslands 2.5 million years ago. The post Ancient American cheetahs were not exactly cheetah-like appeared first on Popular Scienc...

4 days ago

Pair of rare, colorful lobsters have a new home in Maine

A two-toned lobster like Ethel is 1 in 50 million, while a blue one like Gertrude is 1 in 2 million. The post Pair of rare, colorful lobsters have a new home in...

4 days ago

Why dogs tilt their heads, according to science

Dogs have developed the ability to parse human speech in ways that mirror our own. The post Why dogs tilt their heads, according to science appeared first on Po...

4 days ago

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 review: Enjoyable by default, flexible by design

At $299, the MTW5 earbuds keep the last-gen.'s price, drop its boxier build, and add replaceable batteries, improved ANC, and EQ to make them your perfect pair...

4 days ago

I checked Best Buy’s 50%-off Labor Day sale against the competition. Here are the deals the hold up.

You should always be dubious of 50% off claims, but we did the digging through tons of Best Buy pages to find the products that are actually worth grabbing this...

4 days ago

Fossilized tissue reveals largest known T. rex died from broken rib

The blood vessels around the wound that killed Scotty were preserved for 66 million years. The post Fossilized tissue reveals largest known T. rex died from bro...

4 days ago

Ancient ring supposedly tied to Pontius Pilate may include a typo

Translating Greek to Latin was difficult, even 2,000 years ago. The post Ancient ring supposedly tied to Pontius Pilate may include a typo appeared first on Pop...

4 days ago

Bracelet-shaped robot just keeps jumping

LeBron James needs to jump 540 feet in the air to meet Ring Leaper's heights. The post Bracelet-shaped robot just keeps jumping appeared first on Popular Scienc...

4 days ago

High school students spot two spiral galaxies colliding in Hawaiian constellation

The team named NGC 7253 ‘Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola,’ or ‘The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life.’ The post High school students spot two spiral...

4 days ago

Katmai brown bear cubs learning how to ‘walk on water’ to nab salmon

Bear #284 (aka Electra) is part of a bear lineage that teaches their offspring this unique fishing style. The post Katmai brown bear cubs learning how to &#8216...

4 days ago

16 glistening galaxies shine in new images form NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies all stand out in this new collection. The post 16 glistening galaxies shine in new images form NASA’s Chandra X-Ray...

4 days ago

Explore what Pompeii looked like before catastrophic eruption

See gladiators fight in the amphitheater and Mount Vesuvius explode. The post Explore what Pompeii looked like before catastrophic eruption appeared first on Po...

4 days ago

Restroom Archive gives public bathrooms their due

The unique corner of the internet features 3D scans of nearly 100 lavatories from around the world. The post Restroom Archive gives public bathrooms their due a...

4 days ago

The 89 best REI Labor Day deals, from a $16 sock to a $1,499-off e-bike

The massive outdoor retailer only throws a couple huge sales every year. These Labor Day deals on gear, apparel, and more are worth your time and money. The pos...

4 days ago

One of the rarest dimes in the U.S. sells for $1.25 million

Only nine Barber Dimes from 1894 are known to still exist. The post One of the rarest dimes in the U.S. sells for $1.25 million appeared first on Popular Scienc...

4 days ago

Home-intruding bobcat no match for police drone

After its brush with technology, the wild feline was released back into the wild. The post Home-intruding bobcat no match for police drone appeared first on Pop...

4 days ago

California Wildlife Day to honor beloved bald eagle Jackie

The post California Wildlife Day to honor beloved bald eagle Jackie appeared first on Popular Science. #environment #animals #biology #birds #conservation #la...

4 days ago

Tweet! Here are the winners of the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards

Contestants from the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Colombia highlight how birds connect us across continents. The post Tweet! Here are the winners of the 2026 Audubo...

4 days ago

What shapes your personality? Your genes and environment play a big role.

But the ratio of each is up for debate. The post What shapes your personality? Your genes and environment play a big role. appeared first on Popular Science....

4 days ago

These fish rely on teamwork to find food in murky water

‘It is good to know that the fish can respond to these big changes.’ The post These fish rely on teamwork to find food in murky water appeared first on Popular...

4 days ago

Japan’s continuing bear problems can’t be solved by culling alone

Roughly 14,000 bears killed during the last fiscal year, but more humane measures are also effective. The post Japan’s continuing bear problems can’...

4 days ago

Two-headed snake pottery suggests ancient Roman mystery cult spanned over 2,000 miles

The skyfather Sabazios had fans. The post Two-headed snake pottery suggests ancient Roman mystery cult spanned over 2,000 miles appeared first on Popular Scienc...

4 days ago

Amazon’s Labor Day sale has 98 deals worth your time (including the lowest price ever on Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones)

Amazon has dropped prices across the board on everything from outdoor gear and kitchen gadgets to home electronics and more. The post Amazon’s Labor Day s...

4 days ago

Sony’s new ULT TOWER speakers want to headline your next rave

With three party-speaker-meets-PA models featuring redesigned woofers, XLR In/Out, and up to 100 LEDs, Sony is aiming at everyone who has ever wanted to plug in...

4 days ago

NOAA scientists spot ‘outrageously tiny’ fish

The unknown fish species was spotted in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. The post NOAA scientists spot ‘outrageously tiny’ fish appeared first on Popular...

4 days ago

The Apple Watch became an unlikely fashion icon by simply not being ugly

You could spend $17,00 on the first Apple Watch, but it turns out the device didn't need a limited edition gold case to become a fashion accessory. The post The...

4 days ago

In 1967, 2 million Swedes started driving on the other side of the road

A propaganda song to get drivers on board even topped Sweden's hit music chart. The post In 1967, 2 million Swedes started driving on the other side of the road...

4 days ago

JBL’s Cove speakers want to make setting up dynamic multiroom audio a two-minute job

The new whole-home lineup features modern-looking, modular, surround sound-friendly Wi-Fi speakers starting at $229 and ready to play out of the box in three ea...

4 days ago

From the archive: Can Apple make the first wantable smartwatch?

From July 2015: Apple (with Tim Cook at the helm) had just announced the first version of Apple Watch and we tried to envision where it fit into the wearable la...

4 days ago

Can Apple Make The First Wantable Smartwatch?

A wearable whose time has come The post Can Apple Make The First Wantable Smartwatch? appeared first on Popular Science. #gear #smartwatches #wearables Read...

4 days ago

National Parks commemorate ties to WWII ahead of 85th Pearl Harbor anniversary

Governors Island National Monument and Golden Gate Recreation Area provided strategic coastal defense. The post National Parks commemorate ties to WWII ahead of...

4 days ago

History-making mother bear could be big Fat Bear Week 2026 contender

In 2022, Bear #910 adopted her sister’s yearling cub. The post History-making mother bear could be big Fat Bear Week 2026 contender appeared first on Popular Sc...

4 days ago

Rainbow Serpent rock art grew larger as Europeans colonized Aboriginal Australia

One depiction of the agent of chaos and creation is nearly 410-feet-long. The post Rainbow Serpent rock art grew larger as Europeans colonized Aboriginal Austra...

4 days ago

New fabric stays cooler than white cotton—and it’s purple

But can we still wear purple after Labor Day? The post New fabric stays cooler than white cotton—and it’s purple appeared first on Popular Science. #technolog...

4 days ago

Raccoon rescued after sticking its head in a Cape Cod drain grate

It takes a village to save a trapped trash panda. The post Raccoon rescued after sticking its head in a Cape Cod drain grate appeared first on Popular Science....

4 days ago

Biologists discover why snake embryos always coil to the right

A 'pillar of gut' is the key. The post Biologists discover why snake embryos always coil to the right appeared first on Popular Science. #environment #animals...

4 days ago

September Stargazing: Summer’s official end, a big ol’ moon, and a chance to see Neptune

Our solar system’s most far-flung planet will only be 2.68 billion miles away. The post September Stargazing: Summer’s official end, a big ol’ moon, and a chanc...

4 days ago

How to take better photos on any smartphone

Make sure your memories are worth looking back on. The post How to take better photos on any smartphone appeared first on Popular Science. #diy #cameras #gear...

4 days ago

Virginia scientists discover the cues black bears use for hibernation

The post Virginia scientists discover the cues black bears use for hibernation appeared first on Popular Science. #environment #animals #bears #biology #evolu...

4 days ago

Can apps really make you fluent in another language?

A green owl can nudge you to practice, but it doesn't replace talking to a person. The post Can apps really make you fluent in another language? appeared first...

4 days ago

How NASA’s new Nancy Grace Roman space telescope compares with Hubble and Webb

This trio of high-tech observatories will continue to unlock the secrets of the cosmos. The post How NASA’s new Nancy Grace Roman space telescope compares with...

4 days ago

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman space telescope launches

During its five-year primary mission, Roman is expected to observe billions of stars and galaxies, 100,000 exoplanets, and more. The post NASA’s Nancy Grace Rom...

4 days ago

How gross is wearing your shoes inside?

Poop and pollen are unavoidable, but there are still ways to leave them at the door. The post How gross is wearing your shoes inside? appeared first on Popular...

4 days ago

Over 10,000 endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs are taking California by storm

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance recently reintroduced the amphibians in Bluff Lake. The post Over 10,000 endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs are taking...

4 days ago

Why you shouldn’t trust everything you find in an AI web search

Your new web search option is far from infallible. Here's how to weight the answers it gives you. The post Why you shouldn’t trust everything you find in...

4 days ago

Sorry, aliens didn’t build Dyson spheres around these dwarf stars

Searching for E.T. is full of disappointments. The post Sorry, aliens didn’t build Dyson spheres around these dwarf stars appeared first on Popular Scienc...

4 days ago

Say hello to the TSA’s Cutest Canine of 2026

Let’s have a round of ‘apaws’ for Bolt the German shorthaired pointer. The post Say hello to the TSA’s Cutest Canine of 2026 appeared first on Popular Sci...

4 days ago

Forecasters recreate the weather that made D-Day possible

A single day was the difference between success and disaster. The post Forecasters recreate the weather that made D-Day possible appeared first on Popular Scien...

4 days ago

How do you tag the world’s biggest fish? Fins and flexibility.

Marine biologists are studying the Atlantic's whale sharks to understand their gathering spots. The post How do you tag the world’s biggest fish? Fins and flexi...

4 days ago

Save 25% or more on our favorite T-shirts, undergarments, socks, and other essentials during Duluth Trading Co.’s basics sale

Refresh your underwear and sock drawer with high-performance garments that keep you cool and stay in place through any activity. The post Save 25% or more on ou...

4 days ago

The surprising science behind Japan’s vending machine obsession

The country’s machines can serve hot ramen, spot fake coins, and even withstand earthquakes. The post The surprising science behind Japan’s vending machine obse...

4 days ago

11 vibrant deep-sea creatures shine in new Caribbean expedition

The survey near Trinidad and Tobago uncovered over 700 specimens, and potentially 20 new species. The post 11 vibrant deep-sea creatures shine in new Caribbean...

4 days ago