Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 9)

a white telescope launches aboard a rocket
Exoplanets

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman space telescope launches

During its five-year primary mission, Roman is expected to observe billions of stars and galaxies, 100,000 exoplanets, and more.

A pair of black Converse sneakers sitting on a beige welcome mat
Health

How gross is wearing your shoes inside?

Poop and pollen are unavoidable, but there are still ways to leave them at the door.

Vector illustration of a teenage girl and boy holding a smartphone and being shocked and surprised by ban on social media or the use of smartphones. The background shows a smartphone screen with several app icons with blocked symbols.
Social Media

What can we learn from Australia’s social media ban for teens?

The Aussie experiment comes amid a lack of clear evidence that the apps harm the majority of adolescents. It may take a dramatic research pivot to finally reveal what’s going on and how to fix it.

a frog sits in a lake. it has a brown body with black spots
Endangered Species

Over 10,000 endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs are taking California by storm

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance recently reintroduced the amphibians in Bluff Lake.

Screencap of an AI chatbot search window
AI

Why you shouldn’t trust everything you find in an AI web search

Your new web search option is far from infallible. Here's how to weight the answers it gives you.

Dyson sphere. Alien mega structure around a star.
Exoplanets

Sorry, aliens didn’t build Dyson spheres around these dwarf stars

Searching for E.T. is full of disappointments.

a dog with short brown hair
Dogs

Say hello to the TSA’s Cutest Canine of 2026

Let’s have a round of ‘apaws’ for Bolt the German shorthaired pointer.

June 1944, the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Weather

Forecasters recreate the weather that made D-Day possible

A single day was the difference between success and disaster.

a woman swims up to a large whale shark and puts a tag on its fin
Ocean

How do you tag the world’s biggest fish? Fins and flexibility.

Marine biologists are studying the Atlantic's whale sharks to understand their gathering spots.

Woman holding in hands iced orange tonic or trendy bumble coffee. Youth culture.
Science

How do ice cubes cool a drink?

Cheers to a tasty, cool drink!

Duluth Trading Company basics on sale in front of space
Outdoor Gear

Save 25% or more on our favorite T-shirts, undergarments, socks, and other essentials during Duluth Trading Co.’s basics sale

Refresh your underwear and sock drawer with high-performance garments that keep you cool and stay in place through any activity.

Japanese man walks past vending machines at night in Tokyo.
Ask Us Anything

The surprising science behind Japan’s vending machine obsession

The country’s machines can serve hot ramen, spot fake coins, and even withstand earthquakes.

iPhone 4S camera
Cameras

Looking back on iPhone 4S: The device that finally convinced the photography world that smartphones were “real cameras”

By 2011, the iPhone was already a photographic force to be reckoned with, but the 4S era was a huge step toward its current dominance.

Budapest's Rock of Starvation resurfaced in the Danube River during low water levels.
Global Warming

‘Rock of Starvation’ reappears in Budapest during historic drought

Seeing this hunger stone in the Danube River is not a good sign.

a robot with two legs and one eye stands on a desk with a computer screen
Robots

Microduck is a robot built to fall down—and learn new tricks

The lampshade-sized robot comes with a simulated twin that uses reinforcement learning to acquire new skills.

Image of 220P/McNaught comet in night sky
Space Telescope

Look up! Now’s your chance to spot an unusually luminous comet

Comet 220P/McNaught won't be visible again until 2031—if it lasts that long.

a robot shaped like a fish, with a segmented red tail and body and clear, square head
Robots

Scalable robot fish can easily swim in a creek or lake

Engineers designed three different robot fish to explore different bodies of water.

Teen holding smartphone with chat conversation on screen late at night at home. Scene represents digital communication, online interaction and private mobile messaging.
AI

Teens are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support

Here’s how to keep kids safe.

A reconstruction drawing of the interior of a Roman latrine showing three men seated in an open toilet with no doors.
Archaeology

For ancient Romans, pooping was a group activity

Imagine shared sponges, open seating, rats, and the occasional burst of fire.

A woman holding a pick axe in front of the French Alps
Outdoor Gear

I wore the new Arc’teryx ultra-sustainable Sperro SV jacket into the French Alps to test its toughness

Arc'teryx built its new jacket to last for years and endure many repairs before it heads to recycling. It's part of a larger initiative to keep outdoor gear out of landfills.