Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 201)

Starship test launch in 2021
Space X

SpaceX accused of dumping polluted Starship wastewater in Texas for years

The bombshell allegations may violate the EPA's Clean Water Act.

NASA's InSight Mars lander acquired this image of the area in front of the lander using its lander-mounted, Instrument Context Camera (ICC).
Mars

NASA data suggests there’s liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface

'At these depths, water would be liquid, not ice.'

Illustration of Enalioetes head
Dinosaurs

This ancient crocodile looked kind of like a dolphin

Enalioetes schroederi’s ‘radically different’ body was scaleless, speedy, and lost to researchers for decades.

A Starlight MacBook Air M3 in a diagonal pattern on a plain white background.
Computers

Apple’s latest MacBook Air is an excellent laptop for students—and $250 off on Amazon right now

The powerful portable computer will get them through their undergrad and beyond at an excellent price.

children's hands typing on a laptop
Tech Hacks

How to block websites on your home network

Your home and your rules.

Ancient star, but not one of the first: One of the oldest known stars ever observed is a subgiant star in the Milky Way, just 190 light-years from Earth. The star, known as HD 140283 or the Methuselah star, appears to be almost as old as the universe. However, we know it is not one of the first stars because of it contains metals that must have formed in the core or during the explosion of even earlier stars.
Space Telescope

The hunt for the first stars in the universe

'They died long ago.'

'The field is evolving in a lot of ways.'
Vehicles

New forms of steel for stronger, lighter cars

Automakers are tweaking production processes to create a slew of new steels with just the right properties, allowing them to build cars that are both safer and more fuel-efficient.

Modern laptop flat lay yellow background.
Tech Hacks

7 tips to make the most of using a VPN

You've got a VPN installed—now what?

Closeup of broken eyeglasses with damaged colored lens surrounded by different lenses on table in optical shop. Replacement of glasses lens. Glasses service and repair concept
Projects

Don’t throw away your old sunglasses

What to do with those broken or outdated sunnies instead.

screenshot of proton docs
Tech Hacks

Proton Docs vs Google Docs: Should you switch?

Proton Drive now has its own Google Docs competitor.

Saturn’s moon Mimas, floating above the planet’s rings, might conceal a liquid ocean beneath its surface.
Solar System

Saturn’s moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean

The existence of another watery world in the outer solar system may offer clues to how such seas form—and hope for another spot to search for life.

Colorful atlantic puffin sitting on a cliff
Ocean

In Iceland, humans throwing baby puffins is a good thing

Welcome to puffling season.

Chrysalis attached to tree branch with silk
Animals

Butterflies anchor cocoons with silk Velcro and seat-belts

A new study analyzes the complex and sturdy material’s role in metamorphosis.

Applying the logic of chatbot conversations to humans could make a person awkward, impatient, or just plain rude.
AI

Researchers worry about AI turning humans into jerks

OpenAI safety researchers think GPT4o could influence 'social norms.'

Concept art of timber skyscraper in Milwaukee
Engineering

Milwaukee wants to build the world’s tallest timber skyscraper (again)

The new tower would be double the height of the current record-holder—that’s also in Milwaukee.

The central region of a spiral galaxy. Its core is a small bright point radiating bright, bluish-white light over the scene. The white light is diffuse and many point-like stars in the galaxy (and even background galaxies) can be seen through it. The galaxy’s arms can be seen as broad, swirling streaks of glowing gas and dust, coloured red and orange. Two additional arms are revealed in green
Deep Space

You’ve never seen a prettier radiation-spewing supermassive black hole

A spiral galaxy with an ‘active galactic nucleus’ shows off in a new JWST image.

An oil rig flares methane, the main component of natural gas. When operators do not have capacity to transport natural gas, it is often burned off into the atmosphere.
Space

Spying from space: How satellites can help identify and rein in a potent climate pollutant

Methane levels in the atmosphere are rising. An armada of satellites could help identify leaks from oil fields, landfills, and animal feed operations.

a close up of a burmese python.
Animals

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge begins

Hunters cant shoot the snakes, but could win $10,000 for catching the most Burmese pythons.

vinyl records in a pile next to a record player
Technology

Why records are better than CDs in the streaming age

Vinyl is the most popular way to buy music and that's a good thing.

SpaceX is seeking approval to expand its Starlink constellation to 40,000 satellites.
Space

‘What goes up, must come down:’ Junk satellites are a looming hazard

What happens when thousands of old satellites are out of order?