Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 152)

a penguin looks directly at the camera. it has black and white feathers with some red around the eyes
Ocean

The clever way Magellanic penguins ride—and adjust to—ocean currents

They may waddle on land, but these seabirds are master navigators at sea.

This artist’s concept visualizes a kilonova – an explosion that happens when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole collide and merge. When these collisions happen, a fraction of the resulting debris is ejected as jets, which move near the speed of light. The remaining debris produces hot, glowing, neutron-rich clouds that forge heavy elements, like gold and platinum. Researchers will mine data from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will survey the same areas of the sky every few days, to identify kilonovae. Roman’s extensive data will help astronomers better identify how often these events occur, how much energy they give off, and how near or far they are.
Black Holes

NASA’s new Roman Space Telescope aims to discover 100,000 cosmic explosions

Scheduled to launch in 2027, the project could also find more 'kilonovae.'

a white dog and a black and white dog watch a TV. a metal bowl brimming with dog food is on the screen
Dogs

Science reveals dogs’ favorite type of TV

Personality shapes their responses to screens.

A grey tabby cat with green eyes is lying on its side atop two concrete blocks. The cat has its head tilted and one paw raised near its face, appearing relaxed and content. In the background, there is green grass and plants slightly out of focus.
Ask Us Anything

Why do cats love concrete slabs? A vet explains.

The viral trend taps into some very real feline instincts.

a robot rolling through subway
AI

Robots in China are riding the subway to make 7-Eleven deliveries

The chunky robots rely on AI-informed logistics algorithms to plan optimal routes.

Roman tile art depicting two lovers with woman's backside blurred
Archaeology

Stolen during WWII, an erotic Roman mosaic returns home

A Nazi officer originally looted the sultry piece as a gift.

a red meterorite from mars
Mars

Largest chunk of Mars on Earth sells for $5.3 million

The 54-pound piece of the Red Planet was discovered in the Sahara desert in 2023.

Illustration scroll for The Tale of Genji from Medieval Japan
Internet

College students digitized 795 poems from the world’s oldest novel

‘The Tale of Genji’ is a cornerstone of classical Japanese literature.

This is HOPS-315, a baby star where astronomers have observed evidence for the earliest stages of planet formation. These observations show that hot minerals are beginning to solidify. In orange we see the distribution of carbon monoxide, blowing away from the star in a butterfly-shaped wind. In blue we see a narrow jet of silicon monoxide, also beaming away from the star. These gaseous winds and jets are common around baby stars like HOPS-315.
Space Telescope

For the first time, astronomers spot the beginning of a solar system

The discovery is like finding a solar system's 'baby picture.'

an illustration of a marine reptile with large fins and a beak swimming by several squid and one shark
Evolution

Ichthyosaurs were silent assassins of Jurassic seas

Special fins may have helped these marine reptiles become apex predators.

TORONTO , ON- APRIL 11 - Pasta Buca .Detail of Su filindeu. David Marcelli of Buca makes pasta from scratch for The Star. April 11, 2018. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

The rarest pasta on earth is almost physically impossible to make

Plus cloacas and other weird things we learned this week.

A young girl sitting on a plane holds her hears in pain.
Ask Us Anything

Why do our ears pop on a plane? An audiologist explains.

Tricks to fix it go beyond chewing gum.

Medieval book opened to pages
Archaeology

A 600-year-old Chaucer mystery may finally be solved

A medieval sermon packed with 'memes' and simple spelling mistakes could explain a baffling line in 'The Canterbury Tales.'

Six Tesla electric cars burn on the trailer of the moving lorry carrying them after one of them catches on fire due to unknown reasons in Istanbul, Turkiye on October 06, 2023. (Photo by Muhammed Gencebay Gur/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Electric Vehicles

New lithium batteries have built-in fire extinguishers

A prototype aims to prevent not just the flames, but the fumes that cause them.

a full moon rises over rusty-colored mountains
Deep Space

18 awesome images from the 2025 Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards

Our universe is vast and absolutely incredible.

a person holds a turtle with piercing eyes
Endangered Species

World’s largest known turtle nesting site found in the Amazon

Drones spotted roughly 41,000 giant South American river turtles.

Pitcher throwing cricket ball towards batter with catcher in background
Science

What’s the safest helmet?

It comes down to the materials. And sometimes your athletic skills.

Anker charging bricks on a blue background
Gear

The only charging brick you’ll need for all your devices is 42% off right now at Amazon

These Anker charging bricks offer tons of power in small packages. Grab a few extras for your travel bag.

a person cracks an egg over a campfire into a skillet with red peppers
Ask Us Anything

Why does food by the campfire taste better?

From boosted flavors to primal memories, campfire meals tap into something deep and delicious.

The best power lift recliners arranged in a row
Home

The best power lift recliners in 2025 for mobility and comfort

These cozy, yet contemporary chairs will lift your spirits and, most importantly, your body.