Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 509)

Venus next to a crescent moon during 2022 planet alignment
Mars

Look up at the sky to see a parade of perfectly aligned planets

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, in the order the universe intended.

Why the US Army wants an ‘aerial tier network’ for better communications
Army

Why the US Army wants an ‘aerial tier network’ for better communications

Mountains and other natural obstacles can make talking to one another hard. Drones and other aircraft could help.

a turtle with a bit of moss on its face
Health

Could reptiles and amphibians hold the key to the fountain of youth?

Two new studies reveal that many species of reptiles and amphibians show slow or even negligible signs of aging.

Doctor talking to patient in office
Life Skills

A guide to preventing, spotting, and managing STIs

STIs are normal—let’s get over it.

Inside the Glen Canyon Dam
Energy

See inside Glen Canyon Dam as Lake Powell levels drop

The hydropower plant that powers about a quarter of a million homes is run by a team of mechanics, electricians and more.

a ship at sea
Engineering

The world’s largest hybrid ship will set sail in 2024

With an 11.5-megawatt-hour battery system, the 639-foot Saint-Malo will ply the waters between France and England.

An artist's conception of the CAPSTONE satellite.
Moons

This tiny, trailblazing satellite is taking on a big moon mission

If CAPSTONE's goals are successful, much larger lunar orbiters could follow.

A locked iPhone displaying its lock screen.
Tech Hacks

Smartphone security starts with the lock screen. Here’s how to protect it.

Make sure you're not revealing more than you need to.

Ca. Thiomargarita magnifica filamentous bacteria on black
Wildlife

Ever heard of giant bacteria? This new species is way bigger and weirder.

A newly discovered bacteria challenges the rules of cells, puzzling microbiologists.

There is insufficient evidence that vitamin supplements help prevent cancer or heart disease.
Science

Do you need a daily multivitamin? Probably not, says national health task force.

Exercising and eating well do more for your health than vitamin supplements.

Three jugs of milk on sidewalk.
Agriculture

Heat stress might curdle the dairy industry

Heat is stressing out cattle, which is a problem for farmers and cheese-lovers.

megalodon
Sharks

Could an ancient megashark still lurk in the deep seas?

Monster. Myth. Megalodon.

The best Acer monitors composited
PC Gaming

Best Acer monitors

Great gaming monitors are Acer’s specialty, and these premium screens do not disappoint.

Giant freshwater fish
Fish

This is the largest freshwater fish ever caught

Accidentally hooked by a Cambodian fisherman, the incredible 661-pound catch was weighed, tagged, and released.

gloves, pills, thermometers, masks
Internet

This outbreak simulator predicted the strange twists in our pandemic behavior

Well before COVID, Operation Outbreak started as an educational exercise for teens. What lessons does it hold for us today?

The Craiyon interface, showing a courtroom sketch of a sperm whale vs. a giant squid
Tech Hacks

5 ways to get Craiyon, formerly Dall-E mini, to bend to your will

We call this: strategic weirdness.

The best hearing aids
Audio

Best hearing aids

These medical devices can make a huge difference in a person’s life.

A next-gen tank will be revealed in October. Here’s what we know about it so far.
Army

A next-gen tank will be revealed in October. Here’s what we know about it so far.

The Abrams has been in use for decades, and its successor could have some high-tech changes.

Colorful mantis shrimp with giant eyes that have color vision on black background
Wildlife

Do animals feel pain? Science author Ed Yong says that’s the wrong question.

It's not whether they feel, but how they feel, according to the Pulitzer Prize winner's new book.

an illustration of a robotic sensor that detects if a baseball thrown is a ball or strike. in the background is a purple filtered image of baseball articles and images
Robots

Will baseball ever replace umpires with robots?

The sport has long experimented with robotic umpires to take the guesswork out of calls.