Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.

Latest News

See More
A vintage photograph of an explosion happening on a baech.
Whales

BOOM! That time Oregon blew up a whale with dynamite.

And why we should never do it again.

By Shoshi Parks

Featured

Gear and Reviews

Podcast

More Episodes
Channel cover

Chicago’s rat hole wasn’t made by a rat

Plus a retirement home for penguins and other weird things we learned this week.

Rachel Feltman

Rachel Feltman

Host

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

Latest Articles

A pair of Sacabambaspis fish, around 14 inches (35 centimeters) in length, which had distinct, forward-facing eyes and an armored head. No fossils of animals like Sacabambaspis from after the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction event have been discovered.
Wildlife

Mass death paved the way for the Age of Fishes

With great biological havoc comes great opportunity.

By Laura Baisas

The tiny blooms of Dendrobium eruciforme, known as the caterpillar orchid due to its creeping habit and small size. © Andre Schuiteman RBG Kew
Land

Zombie fungus, ‘living stones’ among favorite botany discoveries of 2025

Scientists document thousands of new plant and fungus species every year.

By Andrew Paul

a portrait of leonardo da vinci. he has a long white beard, long white hair, and is wearing a black hat
Biology

Science sleuths think they found Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA

Advances in genetics might help us see what set the Renaissance man apart.

By Mack DeGeurin

protestors against leaf blower ban
Sustainability

Why forcing people to go green can backfire

A new study reveals a conundrum for climate policy: People hate it when you tell them what to do.

By Tik Root/Grist

a satellite image of an iceberg, showing pools of blue water
Global Warming

Why is this infamous iceberg turning blue?

Iceberg A-23A is bigger than New York City, but its days are numbered.

By Laura Baisas

woman with airpod in ear
Tech Hacks

New feature turns AirPods into iPhone camera remotes

Your AirPods are now more useful than ever.

By David Nield

an illustration of an asteroid
Solar System

World’s largest digital camera spots massive asteroid

2025 MN45 is larger than eight football fields.

By Laura Baisas

Young girl on dad's shoulders next to car at a Christmas tree farm, childhood, excitement, holiday season
Science

The science behind how your winter jacket keeps you warm

New materials, old physics.

By Wan Xiong and Longji Cui / The Conversation

Photograph of lightning inside storm cloud taken above Milan, Italy, at night aboard the ISS
NASA

Astronaut snaps spectacular photo of lightning above Italy

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers spotted the summer storm while aboard the International Space Station.

By Andrew Paul

Popular Science Cover Art Store

Own a piece of science history.

Browse all covers

Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.

Meet the team

Our writers and editors