Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
Earth’s 5 catastrophic mass extinctions, explained
Over 4.5 billion years, volcanoes, asteroids, and climate change have wiped out millions of species.
By Laura Baisas
Featured
Get the Popular Science newsletter
Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Here’s the secret to getting songs unstuck from your head
Plus, rich people used to keep squirrels as pets and a flooded Colosseum.
Rachel Feltman
At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.
POPULAR SCIENCE VIDEOS
Popular Science on YouTube is a laboratory of stories from the future, past, and present. It’s like a time travel learning machine—in video form.
Stop stirring up the seafloor Stop stirring up the seafloor
The hidden way commercial fishing adds to climate change.
Billionaire utopian city launches new shipyard plan Billionaire utopian city launches new shipyard plan
California Forever’s East Solano Plan remains on hold, but it’s looking for other deals in the meantime.
By Andrew Paul
Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say Earth’s oceans weren’t always blue, scientists say
If true, it could expand how we search for life elsewhere in the universe.
By Andrew Paul
Fancy humanoid robot no longer walks like it urgently needs a toilet Fancy humanoid robot no longer walks like it urgently needs a toilet
‘Years’ of training in simulation helped the Figure bipedal robot walk more like a real human.
A mystery pharaoh’s massive tomb was discovered in Egypt A mystery pharaoh’s massive tomb was discovered in Egypt
The short-lived Abydos Dynasty reigned roughly 3,600 years ago.
By Andrew Paul
Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes
The genetic switch that ‘really lets horses have their cake and eat it too.’
Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine
Cups dating back to 2500 BCE show the drink wasn’t just for gods and epic heroes.
By Andrew Paul
Why are cars bigger in the U.S.? It’s not just cheap gas. Why are cars bigger in the U.S.? It’s not just cheap gas.
Everything’s bigger in America. Not just in Texas.
By Kristin Shaw
Popular Science Cover Art Store
Own a piece of science history.
Browse all coversPopular 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, PopSci 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
-
Annie Colbert
Editor-in-Chief
-
Stan Horaczek
Executive editor, gear and reviews
-
Tony Ware
Editor, Commerce
-
Laura Baisas
News Editor
-
Andrew Paul
Staff Writer
-
Cole Paxton
Associate Audience Development Manager