Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.

Latest News

See More
Recreation of a Neanderthal man in a museum display case with a person walking by behind.
Evolution

Could we ever clone Neanderthals?

The answer involves ancient DNA, dire wolves, and a whole bunch of bioethics.

By Anna Goldfield

Featured

Gear and Reviews

Podcasts

Videos

The Baffling Cases of Spontaneous Human Combustion

The Baffling Cases of Spontaneous Human Combustion

The Real Reasons Permanent Daylight Savings Time Never Stuck

The Real Reasons Permanent Daylight Savings Time Never Stuck

The Experiment That Tried to Weigh the Human Soul

The Experiment That Tried to Weigh the Human Soul

Latest Articles

a painting of a man on an elephant in battle
Wildlife

Mystery of Hannibal’s infamous Alps crossing gets a major clue

In 218 BCE, the Carthaginian general crossed the rugged mountain range with 40,000 men, 7,000 horses and 37 war elephants.

By Laura Baisas

Point of view from the top of the first drop on The Rattler wooden rollercoaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Internet

Wild ’90s video shows wooden rollercoaster track shaking with each ride

When it opened in 1992, The Rattler was the world’s fastest and tallest wooden coaster of its kind.

By Andrew Paul

This image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was taken on 18 January 2026 with the FORS2 instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). It is a stack of several images spanning 14 minutes. As the comet moves on the sky, the stars appear as trails in the background.
Solar System

Comet 3I/ATLAS is older than the sun

At over 9 billion years old, the rare interstellar visitor is more than twice the sun’s age.

By Andrew Paul

a penguin stands on a rock with several bubbles above him
Endangered Species

Walter the penguin loves popping bubbles

The young penguin uses the soapy spheres for enrichment activities.

By Sara Hashemi

Mosquito biking human skin in high contrast image.
Insects

Blood, poop, and carcasses: How feasting bugs are helping map biodiversity

Critters that dine on flesh and waste also consume the animal’s DNA. That genetic material is helping scientists detect and map elusive species and their pathogens.

By Alice Sun / Knowable Magazine

the letters ETH in new pixels. the e is red, the t is green, and the h is blue
Physics

Researchers in Switzerland invent a new type of pixel

Pixels either control light or analyze it. This one does both.

By Sara Hashemi

MEYRIN, SWITZERLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: A part of complex Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is seen underground during the Open Days at the CERN particle physics research facility on September 14, 2019 in Meyrin, Switzerland. The 27km-long Large Hadron Collider is currently shut down for maintenance, which has created an opportunity to offer access to the public. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world's largest laboratory for research into particle physics. (Photo by Ronald Patrick/Getty Images)
Particle Physics

Farewell, atom-smashing Large Hadron Collider

After 18 years of discovery, it’s goodbye LHC and hello High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider.

By Andrew Paul

flames on black background.
Evolution

Why humans find fire so mesmerizing

It’s not just cozy vibes. We’re hardwired to stare at flames.

By Jennifer Byrne

Pink substance in clear glass test dish on a scientific device.
Science

Can printed ‘skin’ help to heal burns without scars?

Inks created with a patient’s own cells might one day help the body regrow tissues.

By Andrea Teagle / Knowable Magazine

Popular Science Cover Art Store

Own a piece of science history.

Browse all covers

Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.

Meet the team

Our writers and editors