Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 41)

Samsung T7 SSD deal headerSam
Computers

If you edit photos or videos, you need this 1TB SSD on sale for $79 at Amazon for Labor Day

This 1TB drive is usually $110 and it's essential gear if you're a content creator or just an avid photo nerd.

Miya the dog swims through sargassum floating on the surface of the ocean on May 18, 2023 in Key West, Florida. The sargassum spanned more than 5,000 miles.
Ocean

7 wild photos. 40 years of data. 1 smelly seaweed story.

The Atlantic's annual Sargassum blob reached a record biomass of 37.5 million tons this year.

Mother and child orangutan in tree nest
Endangered Species

Baby orangutans spy on mom to build cozy treehouse nests

Practice (and play) makes perfect.

Stanley water bottle in front of plants
Fitness Gear

Stanley’s viral water bottles are up to 30% off and cuter than ever

Thirsty for deals? Stanley, known for ultra-durable drinkware, is offering up to 30% off select bottles & colorways for a limited time.

a mule with a brown coat runs in a pen with other mules
Animals

Meet the chonky, hard-working mules of Olympic National Park

Roughly 1,000 pounds, these sturdy hybrids can carry 20 percent of their body weight.

A low-angle view of a vast, complex airport baggage handling system. Two suitcases, one black and one gray, move along a blue conveyor belt. The belts snake through a brightly lit, cavernous space with industrial ceilings, surrounded by a network of other green and yellow conveyor belts and metal structures. Two airport workers in high-visibility vests are visible in the distance, observing the operation.
Technology

What really happens to your bag after you check it in?

It’s a wild ride from check-in to cargo hold.

a painting depicting a viking battle in russia
Archaeology

Vikings were captivated by silver. Our new analysis of their precious loot reveals how far they travelled to get it

In 2012, a couple scouring the countryside with a metal detector uncovered a major hoard of Viking silver and gold.

A high-angle view of a large-scale battery storage facility at sunset. Numerous long, white rectangular storage units are arranged in neat rows in a large gravel lot, surrounded by a wire fence. In the distance, silhouetted against the bright orange and yellow sky, are multiple power lines and large electrical towers, with green fields stretching out on either side.
Technology

Can ‘ice batteries’ cool down our soaring energy demands?

More than 4,000 buildings already use stored ice to cut daytime electricity use.

An artist illustration of a small planet-sized object striking Mars during its early years.
Mars

Inside Mars, a ‘rocky road’ mantle reveals a violent past

Here's why the Red Planet is more like a brownie than shortbread.

Mayan child tooth with jade gem and two x-ray images of the tooth
Archaeology

Jade gems decorated these Mayan kids’ teeth

Three Pre-Hispanic specimens show that the dental accessories weren't just for grown-ups.

best portable Bluetooth speakers header image
Speakers

The best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025, tested and reviewed for every budget and trip

From the backyard to the backwoods, a portable Bluetooth speaker will keep you connected to the music.

A large female black mountain gorilla on all fours turns her head to the camera, while its young offspring with fluffy black fur rides on its back, also looking toward the camera. They are surrounded by dense green foliage in a natural habitat.
Biology

Female mountain gorillas wield a lot of power

Alliances with silverbacks help females outrank bigger rivals.

A close-up, action shot of professional female golfer Julieta Granada from Paraguay during a golf tournament. She is in mid-swing, wearing a red polo shirt, a white visor, and a white golf glove, with a determined expression on her face. In the background, a few spectators are partially visible behind a rope, with lush green trees blurred in the distance.
Fitness & Exercise

Why is the object of golf to play as little golf as possible?

a seagull squawking. its mouth is wide open
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

These birds are super loud during sex—and that could teach us something about gender roles 

Plus other weird things we learned this week.

A dramatic, high-contrast shot of the snow-capped summit of Mount Everest, with jagged ridges and a glacier visible below. The peak is set against a deep blue sky and partially surrounded by bright white clouds.
Drones

Mount Everest has a poo problem. Are drones the answer?

Specialized drones removed 660 pounds of trash from the mountain this season.

This image set showcases three views of the Butterfly Nebula, featuring an optical and near-infrared view from Hubble (left and middle) and the latest Webb/ALMA image. ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, M. Matsuura, J. Kastner, K. Noll, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), N. Hirano, J. Kastner, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)
Space Telescope

Colorful space ‘butterfly’ glimmers with planet-making dust

Planetary building blocks shimmer in this extraterrestrial light show.

a shark tooth with jagged edges on a black background
Ocean

Sharks may be losing their bite

‘Jaws’ doesn’t hold up as well without those terrifying teeth.

six glowing succulents in shades of blue, yellow, red, green, and a mixture of all
Biology

Glow-in-the-dark succulents are here

‘Imagine glowing trees replacing streetlights.’

Illustration of the Great Fear of 1789
Science

Rumors spread like viruses. The French Revolution proved it.

Historians and epidemiologists join forces to uncover some scary and relevant lessons.

a broken payphone (left) and a refurbished one (right)
Engineering

In Vermont, one man is bringing pay phones back to life

Randtel refurbishes and retrofits used pay phones that the public can use for free.