America 250: From 1776 to the moon and beyond (A Space.com series)
As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, our Space.com team took a look back at American advances in space since 1776, and where we might be headed.
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Finding the best route to beat Alzheimer’s.
Scientists Just Unlocked an Endless Army of Cancer-Fighting Cells
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This Week In Space podcast: Episode 217 — America in Space
On Episode 217 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the progression of American space efforts.
The hidden way ADHD could be raising your cholesterol levels
People with ADHD should keep a careful eye on their heart health,
Human flight was still 7 years away in 1776. Now, we’re headed back to the moon
Humanity made some halting steps toward flight over the centuries, but our species was still firmly rooted on the ground when the United States of America was born on July 4, 1776.
30 Years Ago, I Saw ‘Independence Day’ In The Theater, And You Had To Be There
What was it like when 'Independence Day' first came out? Here's a look back to 1996.
NASA’s Chandra telescope reveals Milky Way’s outer reaches may stretch farther than previously known
Rare gamma-ray bursts detected by powerful X-ray telescopes orbiting the Earth helped astronomers measure Milky Way spiral arms with stunning accuracy.
What did the night sky look like on the 1st Independence Day 250 years ago?
As the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday, here's what Benjamin Franklin and other colonists would have seen when they looked up on July 4, 1776.
This Week in Science: Neil The Seal, Mega Megalodon, And More!
This Week in Science: A viral sensation is back in town, a sea monster’s gigantic size is confirmed, Yellowstone installs a new pool, and much more! First up: ‘Neil the seal’ has returned to wreak havoc in the Tasmanian towns where he first achieved internet stardom.
Why identity theft comes back for the same people
The FTC warns that scammers are keeping "sucker lists" to repeatedly target previous fraud victims with fake recovery offers and upfront fees.
Disney settlement could pay YouTube TV and DirecTV users
Disney's $50 million antitrust settlement lets YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers file a claim form for a cash payment before the deadline.
NASA’s Hubble Spies Stellar Sparkler for July 4th
Red, white, and blue stars glitter like a sparkler being waved on a dark night in this new Hubble image of globular cluster NGC 6426.
30 years on, “Independence Day” still proves the versatility of the original “The War of the Worlds”
"Independence Day" isn't technically "The War of the Worlds" but it's still one of the most successful adaptations of HG Wells' genre-defining novel.
GAO flags satellite costs, launch risks in Space Force portfolio
Watchdog cites growing costs for missile-warning satellites,
The Mysterious Civilization That Pre-Dated The Incas by 500 Years
The mysterious Inca Empire is a source of endless fascination to many, representing the largest and most elaborate society of pre-Columbian America.
65 Weird New Things on Amazon Under $25 With Amazing Reviews
Hundreds of bizarre new things land on Amazon every day — the ones here are backed by rave reviews, so you can be sure they’re worth the “Add to cart.”
Physicists Simulated a Black Hole in a Lab. Then It Started to 'Evaporate'
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This Tiny Device Could Help Save Millions From Food Poisoning
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LLMs and Math Combine to Map Human Decision-Making
A new research framework that combines large language models (LLMs) with choice mathematics to evaluate human decision-making. By deploying LLMs to automatically interpret and code thousands of free-text participant thought justifications, the framework provides a scalable, validated methodology demonstrating that human reasoning strategies shift dynamically with a problem's structure.
35 Years Later, ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ Is Still An Unbeatable Action Spectacle
Thanks to its groundbreaking VFX and stunning action sequences, James Cameron's 1991 blockbuster is still the best action sequel of all time.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Severe Depression by 70%, Major US Trial Finds
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How to find Uranus this week, the hardest planet I’ve ever tried to see
Get your eyes on the seventh planet, and you can graduate as a skywatcher — and there's a perfect way to cheat this week as Mars glides by Uranus.
Pegasus launches Swift reboost mission
A Pegasus XL launched a mission to reboost a NASA astrophysics spacecraft on what may be the final flight of that rocket.
As ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ turns 35, it’s time to accept the truth: Terminator shouldn’t be back
The future has been written, and it's a dark fate for the Terminator franchise.
Could humans someday explore Saturn’s moon Titan, or will humanoid robots do it for us?
Could humans ever set foot on Titan, or will AI-powered humanoid robots make the voyage instead?
Human eyeballs are literally changing shape. And experts are baffled
Myopia is booming, with almost one in three people affected globally. Can we stop the epidemic of short-sightedness?
‘Independence Day’ at 30: Roland Emmerich & Dean Devlin talk blowing up the White House and crafting a true sci-fi classic (interview)
'Welcome to Earth… Now that's what I call a close encounter!'
Celebrate 250 years of America with the Estes Liberty Star model rocket
Model rocket staple Estes has designed a limited edition model rocket decked out in red, white and blue for the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. Suitable for display or launch.
1 private spacecraft intercepts another on Space Force’s groundbreaking ‘Victus Haze’ mission
A U.S. Space Force mission pitting two satellites against each other has been deemed a success, completing its first tactical intercept of an orbital target.
How little exercise can you get away with?
Even tiny bursts of activity have measurable benefits
5 Years Later, ‘The Ninth Jedi’ Avoids The Modern Star Wars Curse
Since Star Wars made its big comeback in 2015 with The Force Awakens, fan discourse and debate have often centered around how much nostalgia is too much nostalgia, and at what point can Star Wars let this past go. In theory, the sequel trilogy was an accidental and perhaps muddled conversation about that idea, with Kylo Ren trying to reject his heritage and the various writers behind the scenes uncertain if Rey should or shouldn’t be connected to an existing legacy. But is the legacy of Star Wars about characters? Or is it about aesthetics?
NASA’s Hubble Captures Crimson Cloud Sparkling with White, Blue Stars
Blue and white stars shine brightly against glowing crimson gas in this image of stellar nursery LH 95 from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
Extreme Heat Is The Deadliest Weather Hazard in The US, And Scientists Think We’re Unprepared
As a massive, prolonged heat dome settles across much of the United States, experts are concerned that extreme heat events like this are not taken seriously enough.
Space science has come a long way since July 4, 1776. Here’s a look back at the saga
Celebrating America's 250th birthday, Space.com looks back at what our understanding of space was like in 1776 and what major developments occurred to change our thinking.
Infant stars celebrate their independence with cosmic fireworks| Space photo of the day for July 3, 2026
Infant stars celebrate their independence with cosmic fireworks in a stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Chinese satellite manufacturer Hongqing raises $191 million
Chinese satellite manufacturer Hongqing raises $191 million Hongqing Technology, the satellite manufacturing affiliate of launch firm Landspace, has secured one of the largest single raises for a Chinese commercial satellite maker.
Who Is Charlotte Keene? How The New ‘Silo’ Character Unlocks The Season’s Biggest Mystery
Actress Jessica Brown Findlay reveals the key to Charlotte Keene's character.
Potentially Habitable Super-Earth Found Just 25 Light-Years Away
Grab your suitcase, let's goooo! ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
NASA’s Hubble Spots Star-Spangled Cosmic Scene
More than 500,000 stars blaze red, white, and blue in this NASA Hubble image of the globular cluster Messier 3 (M3).
Amazon Just Quietly Added One Of The Best — And Most Surprising — Movies Of The Year
'The Sheep Detectives' is shockingly great. No ifs, ands, or baaahs about it.
Here’s Everything We Know So Far About ‘Percy Jackson’ Season 3
Here’s everything we know about 'Percy Jackson' Season 3, from its potential release date to the new characters joining the fray.
Want to see Uranus? July 4 could be your best chance in decades
The Red Planet and Uranus will appear close together before dawn on Independence Day morning.
How one (very strange) particle could soon rewrite our laws of gravity
If particles are what carry the force of gravity, those particles should be detectable… in theory.
A Mission to Save NASA’s Swift Telescope Launches to Orbit
A refrigerator-size spacecraft will try to grab onto Swift and nudge it to a higher orbit, enabling it to continue observing powerful cosmic explosions.
One Specific Diet Reduces Gum Disease in 6-Month Trial
A new way to help gum disease. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
America at 500: Where will we be in space in 2276?
When the U.S. was born, humanity was still seven years away from balloon-borne flight. Where might we be another 250 years from now, should the nation be fortunate enough to survive that long?
The 9 weirdest (and most secretive) futuristic weapons
Incoming! Lasers, AI sentinels and orbital bombers – the new technological arms race bringing futuristic weapons to the battlefield today.
E Pluribus Algae: Why Green Pond Scum Is as American as Red, White and Blue
And why the most patriotic approach to the Reflecting Pool may be to let the algae take over.
Has the MAHA Movement Given Up?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his allies promised public-health libertarianism. The idea couldn’t survive once they took power.
Physicists Create an Exotic New Form Of Matter: The ‘Fermi Sea’
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Psychologists Explain Why People Are So Invested in Taylor Swift’s Wedding
There's a scientific reason. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
80 Bougie Things for Your Home That Are So Cheap & Utterly Brilliant
Thoughtfulness reads as luxury, even when the price tags say otherwise, and this list is full of finds that prove the point. Everything here is cheap, brilliant, and the kind of quiet upgrade that guests will be sure to notice, compliment, and perhaps even try to imitate.
First-of-Its-Kind Lupus Treatment Significantly Reduces Symptoms in Mice
New hope for millions with the disease. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
‘Milestone’: Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life
Scientists at the University of Minnesota say they have built the most life-like synthetic cell yet, creating a laboratory-made system assembled entirely from nonliving components that can grow, replicate its genetic material, divide and even pass beneficial traits to future generations.
Comet From Outside Our Solar System Has Chemistry Unlike Anything We’ve Ever Seen Before
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The surprising real cause of social anxiety (and how to beat it)
Why do so many of us fear human interaction when we’re supposed to be the most sociable species on the planet?
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 24 Starlink satellites from California
SpaceX grew its Starlink network by 24 more satellites on Wednesday evening (July 1) with a launch from California.
Deadly MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak Is Over, W.H.O. Says
The rodent-borne virus, which sickened passengers on the MV Hondius, killed three people, led to a race to find its origin and a global health alert.
Graphene Caught Holding Multiple Superconducting States At One Time
They actually got stronger under conditions that should kill them. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
SpaceX fires up all 6 of Starship’s engines ahead of 13th test flight (video)
Less than a week after its last test, SpaceX's latest Starship spacecraft went back to the stand for engine checkouts ahead of a coming test flight.
‘Silo’ season 3: Release date & how to watch Apple TV’s sensational post-apocalyptic saga
Say so long to the sunshine as we plunge back into the deep mysteries of Silo 18.
These bizarre 'water bears' can pause ageing. We're finally learning how
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Apollo 11 landing site, a cosmic Eagle and a blue-white star: 4 night sky targets to celebrate America 250
From the Apollo landing site to the North America Nebula, these celestial sights offer a uniquely American way to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.
32 Years Later, Years Later, ‘X-Men ’97’ Is Rebooting A Forgotten Comic Storyline
'X-Men 97' Season 2 is traveling through time. But what part of the comics does this come from?
Perovskite solar panel startup Verde Technologies shifts focus to space
Verde Technologies is turning to space to commercialize perovskite-based solar panels, shifting its initial focus away from rooftops in a bet that the thin-film material can help power orbital data centers and other large constellations.
The hidden ways a narcissist tries to manipulate your personality
Could you be an echoist? Long-term exposure to a narcissist, in childhood or romantic relationships, might have changed your personality.
The Science of How to Have a Great 4th of July Weekend
The Northern Hemisphere might be melting and explosive diarrhea is spreading across the US… But in grim moments like these, it feels more important than ever to have a laugh and rediscover your sense of wonder.
Elektra’s Return In ‘Daredevil’ Season 3 Could Set Up A Killer Twist
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Isar Aerospace to launch German-built Planet imaging satellite
Isar Aerospace won a contract from Planet’s German subsidiary to launch an imaging satellite, demonstrating an end-to-end space capability for the country.
NASA’s Artemis II Breaks Agency Streaming Record
NASA’s live coverage of the Artemis II mission mission drew unprecedented public interest – including more than 149.4 million views of the launch, lunar flyby, splashdown on NASA-owned platforms, including the 24/7 streams covering the mission and the Orion spacecraft views – demonstrating strong,
Let’s Destroy American Science [UPDATE]
gut the way that American science has been evaluated and conducted for the better part of a century
‘Stellar death is not the end’: James Webb Space Telescope glimpses the fate of the solar system in a weird exoplanet orbiting a dead star
"It's like using a time machine to peer into the distant future of our solar system."
See How Europe’s Heat Waves Melted the Alps’ Glaciers
The snowfall from last winter disappeared a month sooner than usual, after two early hot spells. Huge volumes of exposed ice are now starting to vanish.
AI Writing Strips Mystery and Complexity From Stories
A new study introducing the CASPER framework reveals that AI writing models consistently strip away narrative mystery, relying on safe archetypes and tidy resolutions, proving that scaling up model sizes fails to improve character depth or capture genuine human contradiction.
The one factor stopping you from losing weight, according to a Cambridge professor
Obesity is on the rise, but as we blame our unhealthy food-ridden environment and look to wonder drugs to get rid of unwanted fat, what role do our genetics play?
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Silo’ Season 3 Clip Reveals Juliette’s Memory Issues
Silo Season 3 is all about memory, and this is very clear from the very first episode. Juliette may have replaced Bernard as Mayor after their little fire incident from Season 2, but she can’t seem to remember much about her life. What’s even more worrying is that she doesn’t know why she can’t remember anything but suspects it may have something to do with the pills she’s told to take. Meanwhile, centuries earlier, something similar is happening to the sister of Congressman Daniel Keene, who appeared in the shocking Season 2 finale.
EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Brown Findlay Teases The Upcoming 'Peaky Blinders' Sequel Series
Jessica Brown Findlay knows her way around different times. The English actress is best known for her role in now-classic period drama Downton Abbey, but she’s ventured into the future as often as she’s dipped into the past: she starred in an especially dystopian episode of Black Mirror, played the lead in the Peacock adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, and now she’s playing a Navy pilot in the (still futuristic) flashbacks in Silo Season 3.
Astronomers discover a potentially habitable planet just 25 light-years away. ‘This one is exciting’
Astronomers discovered a planet 25 light-years away that orbits within the habitable zone of its star that could potentially support liquid water and possibly life.
Ocean Planet Explorer Resumes Operations
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151 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best and most random interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space, history, the world and much more.
How to invade planet Earth: An alien’s guide to bringing the human race to its knees
From "Independence Day" to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", movies and TV shows are packed with advice for anyone aspiring to conquer this unassuming blue dot.
Earliest Evidence of Spider Fangs Discovered in Half-Billion-Year-Old Fossils
New fear unlocked! ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Good Morning, Earth!
NASA astronaut Chris Williams took this photo of an orbital sunrise from the International Space Station on June 26, 2026. In 24 hours,
NASA’s Webb Reveals Stars Sparking to Life in Cosmic Celebration
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured the infrared light of numerous features that previously were impossible to see beyond the thick dust of the FS Tau star system.
‘Flying saucer’ arrives at NASA for Artemis 3 moon mission | Space photo of the day for July 2, 2026
Did a flying saucer just land at NASA? It sure looks like it. This is actually the weather cover for the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which is currently gearing up to launch the Artemis 3 mission in mid-2027. What is it? Aboard NASA's Pegasus barge, floating out in the Atlantic ocean, sits what looks like a classic, sci-fi movie UFO flying saucer.
40 Years Later, John Carpenter’s Cult Classic Masterpiece Remains Ahead Of Its Time
'Big Trouble in Little China' can't be defined by any singular genre. And that's what makes it a masterpiece.
July full moon 2026: When, where and how to see the Buck Moon
Your guide to July's full Buck Moon, from peak times to skywatching highlights.
Cheap Daily Supplements May Boost Brain Functions in Older People
Trials are ongoing... ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Why Is Blade So Hard To Get Right?
The news of the potential closing of Arkane Studios and the cancellation of their Blade game is another obstacle in the character's quest to regain relevance.
In 1776, the moon was a clock, a calendar and a streetlight — and it was 31 feet closer to Earth
The moon over America's first Independence Day was about 31 feet closer to Earth than it is today. Here's how colonists used it as a clock, calendar and streetlight — and what astronomers knew about it.
Drug Stops 90% of Pancreatic Cancer Migration in Lab Tests
And it works in an unexpected way. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Final Atlas 5 Amazon Leo mission launches
An Atlas 5 lifted off July 2 carrying a set of Amazon Leo satellites in the final launch by that vehicle to carry a satellite payload.
Sun fires off 10 solar flares in 24 hours as multiple Earth-bound CMEs raise northern lights hopes for July 4 weekend
Multiple CMEs are heading toward Earth, with G1-G2 geomagnetic storm conditions possible as the holiday weekend begins.
Scientists React to the Lab-Made, Yet Lifelike, SpudCell
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How to Make a Time Capsule That Will Last 250 Years
The America250 time capsule will hold dozens of historical treasures. Avoiding dampness and other dangers requires lots of engineering.
For The First Time, Scientists Say They’ve Built a Synthetic Cell From Scratch
Scientists from the University of Minnesota say they have created the first-ever synthetic cell built entirely from scratch, and seen it go through an entire ‘life’ cycle – including reproduction.
Explosive Diarrhea Is Surging Across The US Right Now
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Single Injection Reverses Osteoarthritis in Animals in Just 4 Weeks
It encouraged cartilage to repair itself. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
What’s Up: July 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA
A predawn Moon-and-planets meetup, a returning comet, a great chance to see the Milky Way, and Saturn’s rings at a new angle. Skywatching Highlights Transcript An early morning hangout with the Moon and planets, a comet swings by, prime time for the Milky Way, and Saturn’s rings shine at a new angle.
Trump Administration Delivers Lucrative Win for Its Kratom Allies
In moving to ban a potent synthetic version of kratom, the president’s team paved the way for more sales for makers of rival botanic supplements, who had aggressively lobbied for the change.
Report links Starliner problems to overconfidence and unrealistic schedules
A new report links the problems with Boeing’s Starliner to a combination of overconfidence, unrealistic schedules and lack of insight into the vehicle.
Amazon Is Quietly Adding The Best Sci-Fi Movie Of 2026
It’s hard to believe that Project Hail Mary hit theaters almost four months ago. Although the incredible physical Blu-ray release won’t release until August, Project Hail Mary is switching streaming services in a big way, which will mean more people than ever before will be able to watch this killer movie.
Steven Spielberg sci-fi movies ranked, worst to best
Disclosure Day has arrived in cinemas, and it's got us nostalgic for all Steven Spielberg's best directorial sci-fi movies to date.
Every Tattoo Starts a Lifelong Immune Response. Science Is Still Catching Up
You should be aware of the risks. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Kang? ‘X-Men ’97’ Brings A Multiversal Villain Back To the MCU
The X-Men have their hands full with the original version of Apocalypse, but 'X-Men '97' also teases the rise of another immortal villain: Kang.
NASA’s Chandra Examines Milky Way at Arms’ Length
A new result using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory shows that the outer spiral arms in the Milky Way galaxy may reach wider than previously thought. This finding may lead astronomers to adjust their understanding of our home galaxy’s structure.
Watch Atlas V rocket launch 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites early on July 2
United Launch Alliance (ULA) will launch another batch of Amazon's internet satellites to orbit early Thursday morning (July 2), and you can watch it live.
‘Supergirl’ Proves This One Misguided Comic Book Strategy Has Failed
Supergirl's thrashing by critics and at the box office might partially be the fault of another odd trend.
FCC to vote on satellite licensing overhaul July 22
The FCC is set to vote July 22 on an order to overhaul its satellite application process, creating a “licensing assembly line” to keep up with increasingly large and complex constellation plans.
U.S. to Overhaul Radiation Safety Rules to Spur Nuclear Expansion
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans to end longstanding guidance that radiation exposure be “as low as reasonably achievable.”
42 Years Later, The Most Important Sci-Fi Cyberpunk Story Is Giving Us A Retro Future
On July 1, 1984, two years after Blade Runner, author William Gibson was somehow able to top that cyberpunk aesthetic with his seminal novel Neuromancer. To be clear, Gibson had started writing his world of hackers and augmented people before he saw Blade Runner in 1982, and arguably, the vibe of Neuromancer has influenced various sci-fi subgenres even more than its exact plot.
‘Rocket’s Red Glare’: How NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission celebrated America’s 250th birthday
NASA joined in the semiquincentennial celebrations this year by painting "America 250" on the rocket that launched the Artemis 2 astronauts around the moon.
Experts no longer think life began on Earth. Here's what convinced them
The latest discovery of nucleotides on an asteroid is making scientists rethink the story of where life all began
’House Of The Dragon’ Is Bringing Back A Nasty ‘Game Of Thrones’ Trope
After two irritating twists, Alicent Hightower has become a lightning rod for sexual humiliation in 'House of the Dragon.'
This weird ‘hot Jupiter’ exoplanet has a hotspot in the wrong place, and astronomers aren’t sure how
Astronomers have discovered a curious new exoplanet that challenges assumptions about hot Jupiters, some of the most extreme planets in the universe.
Scientists take another step towards lab-made life
What do you call an organism with no evolutionary ancestors?
The growing number of satellites in orbit could soon make telescopes obsolete. ‘For astronomy, this would obviously be catastrophic’
If the number of satellites in Earth's orbit exceeds 100,000, humanity may lose its ability to study the universe from the planet's surface. Some companies want to put millions into space.
How AI Substitutes Are Replacing Genuine Human Connection
A new study warns that widespread, unmoderated use of AI chatbots among teenagers introduces severe risks of relational displacement and maladaptive relational learning, distorting social development by replacing real-world conflict resolution with frictionless, algorithmic validation.
Here's how much the richest 10% owe the planet for the environmental damage they've caused
The wealthiest 10 per cent of people are disproportionately responsible for environmental damage that’s costing the Earth trillions.
NASA Seeks Volunteers for New Yearlong Simulated Moon, Mars Mission
NASA is recruiting research participants for the agency’s next simulated deep space mission.
July’s planetary lineup is changing — and Venus is the last one standing
Venus dominates the evening sky while Saturn, Mars and Uranus put on a show for early risers.
’The Odyssey’s Final Trailer Confirms A Major Story Change
The Odyssey is a tale based on the oral tradition, which makes adaptations particularly tricky. We don’t really know the exact text of the story as it was delivered as a performance over the course of years, and the process of translating what we do have written down is enough to fuel debates for centuries.
LINK Spacecraft Set for Mission to Boost NASA’s Swift Observatory
A first-of-its-kind mission to raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is poised for launch no earlier than Thursday, July 2, 5:09 a.m.
Fake Verizon fraud call nearly stole his account
A fake Verizon fraud call nearly led to an account takeover when a scammer used text verification and device changes to steal a Texas man's access.
Experts are at war over two black holes that shouldn't exist
These forbidden black holes shouldn’t exist,
NASA’s Webb Studies How Planet Survived Death of its Star
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is giving us new insight into the far-future of solar systems like our own, as the agency continues to reveal the secrets of the universe and our place in it.
NASA will send a soccer ball to the moon —if the US wins the World Cup
NASA will send a soccer ball to the moon if the United States wins the FIFA World Cup, agency chief Jared Isaacman said on Tuesday (June 30).
Scientists Just Found a Planet That Got a Second Life After Its Star Died
Yay? ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4934-4940: In the Land of the Polygons
Written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute Earth planning date: Friday, June 26, 2026 There were two planning cycles over this span of sols. The Monday planning took place with Curiosity situated within a unit that from orbital imagery appeared light-toned, and from earlier rover positions appeared smooth.
SpudCell: Scientists Made a Cell With Most of the Hallmarks of Life. Here’s What to Know
From why it was created to whether it’s alive, here’s what to know about SpudCell, the latest advance in synthetic biology.
Caltech Welcomes Astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana as New President
Ray Jayawardhana begins his tenure today as the 10th president of the California Institute of Technology. His selection as Caltech’s president, and as the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of astronomy, was announced Jan.
Scientists can now study the event horizons of black holes
They make the universe’s most extreme gravitational laboratories
Ocean-monitoring satellite spots wildfire smoke from space | Space photo of the day for July 1, 2026
Wildfires across the globe can be seen all the way from space. And one unexpected tool has come in handy to spot plumes of wildfire smoke: a satellite designed to study Earth's oceans.
Stunning new NASA space telescope images reveal the universe in red, white and blue for America 250
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has released four stunning images of cosmic wonders, depicted in red, white and blue for the America 250 anniversary on July 4.
Ghostly Glow of Nuclear Power Station Was Detected in Water 150 Miles Away
A flash we'd never seen before. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
NASA’s TESS Mission Finds Planetary System in New Way
For the first time, NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) mission has identified a planet orbiting a distant star thanks to ripples in space-time. Unlike the star-hugging transiting planets TESS regularly reveals, the newfound world is a super-Jupiter orbiting far from its host star.
59 Years Later, One Paranoid Sci-Fi Thriller Still Feels Ahead Of Its Time
'The Prisoner' just hit Criterion. Here's why you need to binge it ASAP.
Vantor offers up-to-date imagery with WorldView 3D
SAN FRANCISCO – Vantor, the company previously known as Maxar Intelligence, unveiled WorldView 3D July 1, to provide customers with updated and high-definition imagery.
EchoStar’s satellite TV and wireless subsidiaries file for bankruptcy
EchoStar subsidiaries tied to its satellite TV and abandoned 5G network businesses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, advancing a prepackaged restructuring plan to repay debt early after selling spectrum to SpaceX and AT&T.
Latitude plans to conduct first launch from Oman
French startup Latitude intends to perform the first launch of its small launch vehicle from a spaceport in Oman in late 2027.
In 1776, the solar system only had 6 planets. Now, it has 8. Does it end there?
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the history of the solar system tells its own story of exploration.
In a First For Science, A Satellite Has Identified What It’s Seeing From Space
The standard approach to satellite imagery is to snap huge batches of pictures and beam them back to Earth, where they can be sifted through by human operators and the best available algorithms.
Blue Origin outlines new launch pad approach as it pushes to return New Glenn to flight
A month after a devastating pad explosion, Blue Origin reiterated plans to return New Glenn to flight from a rebuilt launch pad by the end of the year.
The SpaceX IPO tells one story. Here is the more important one
When SpaceX publicly listed, the coverage focused on the rockets, the valuation, and the personalities. That’s understandable.
Sun unleashes powerful X-class solar flare and Earth-bound CME that could spark northern lights for July 4 weekend
The X1.1 eruption briefly disrupted radio communications across the daylight side of Earth, while forecasters now expect the accompanying CME to reach Earth on July 3.
Chonky Elephant Seal Is Wreaking Havoc on an Australian City, And The Footage Is Everything
Neil is back and up to all sorts of trouble. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
NASA audit puts Boeing’s Starliner under an even bigger microscope: When will it fly astronauts again?
A new NASA audit says the agency will need to purchase more astronaut flights to the ISS by 2030 and focuses on issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
Cheating Chickadees Are Seduced by Smarts
Female mountain chickadees are loyal to their mates, unless a smarter suitor comes along.
Mysterious Global ‘Hum’ Has Tormented People For 50 Years – Scientists Think They May Have Found a Cause
'The Hum' has been one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Ovaries Appear to Develop an Incredible Second Role After Menopause
The human body continues to surprise us. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Antarctica’s Blood Falls Hides a Hidden World That’s Never Seen The Sun
Antarctica's Blood Falls are even weirder than they look. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Scientists Find a Razor-Sharp Line of Earthquakes Hidden Beneath Alaska
Huh?? ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
Life in Colonial America Was Plagued by Pain, Sickness, and Itch
Trade the tricorn hats, bonnets and homespun shirts for flip flops, sneakers and soccer jerseys,
A Prehistoric Plague May Have Ravaged Stone Age Europe
Did a major epidemic of plague trigger a prolonged collapse in Europe’s population in late neolithic times – from around 5,600 to 4,000 years ago?
Thank You, Judith Curry
Climatologist Judith Curry is retiring the Climate, Etc.
How Working Memory May Give Rise to Consciousness
You know that feeling when you walk into a room and immediately forget why you came in? Maybe you were there to fetch your keys. On your way to the room, you were thinking about grabbing your keys.
On Nicotine, FDA Embraces Science and Delivers a Public Health Victory
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA’s) latest decision on nicotine pouches marks one of the most important advances in American tobacco policy in years.
How Much Does Obesity Contribute to Dementia?
Excess body weight is known to contribute to a host of diseases, maladies, and physical problems, yet it hasn't been consistently attributed to the scourge of old age: dementia.
NASA awards nearly $600 million in lunar lander missions
NASA has selected three companies to fly four robotic lunar lander missions worth nearly $600 million as part of its lunar base ambitions.
‘Enola Holmes 3’ Review: Netflix’s Sherlock Holmes Spinoff Comes So Close To YA Perfection
Sherlock’s kid sister spreads her wings in 'Enola Holmes 3' — but gets grounded by an elementary mystery.
The Vera Rubin Telescope Begins Surveying Our Cosmos
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is beginning the widest, deepest survey yet of the southern sky.
Curiosity, Perseverance and Now Promise? NASA May Send a Mars Rover to the Moon
As part of plans to establish a lunar base, the space agency may send to the moon a spare test version of the rover — as well as a soccer ball.
A 2026 Horror Breakout Is Coming Back To Theaters
It’s only been 7 years since the original picture hit the internet, but it feels like the Backrooms as a concept have been with us forever. A defining addition to the library of new-age internet horror (filed under L for Liminal), the concept built off a foundation of uncanny geographical horror present in works like The Shining or The Blair Witch Project. In just the short time it has existed, the Backrooms have already inspired multiple video games and several web-series, along with a collective meta-narrative online.
20 Years Later, Guillermo Del Toro’s Horror Masterpiece Is Getting A Big Upgrade
Last year, director Guillermo del Toro unveiled the film that some have dubbed his magnum opus. Frankenstein is a culmination of the filmmaker’s greatest loves — and some of del Toro’s shakier habits — so the acclaim is apt. But 20 years ago, del Toro delivered the film that’s still widely considered his very best. If nothing else, it certainly put him on the map: though he’d begun to cross into the mainstream with the one-two punch of Blade II and Hellboy, it was Pan’s Labyrinth that made his status as a master storyteller undeniable.
‘PROMISE’ me the moon? NASA wants to send spare nuclear-powered Mars rover to the lunar surface
NASA has announced new lunar landing contracts for its Artemis Moon Base program, as well as a potential new moon rover mission named PROMISE.
‘One Piece’ Season 3 Sneak Peek Reveals A Terrifying Villain
After a string of so-so anime adaptations, Netflix’s live-action One Piece feels like the first one that truly does the source material justice. And while other Netflix originals plod along with a new season every few years or so, One Piece has moved at a clip with only two years between Seasons 1 and 2 — and it looks like Season 3 will close this gap even further.
Rocket Lab aborts launch of Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite at last second
Rocket Lab will launch a Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit tonight (June 30), and you can watch the action live.
Blue Origin starts rebuilding launch pad damaged by New Glenn rocket explosion — and it will look very different when it’s done
Blue Origin has started rebuilding the launch pad damaged by the explosion of its New Glenn rocket last month, but the company is working from a very different blueprint this time around.
‘Just in time for Canada Day’: Spacewalking astronauts repair space station’s huge Canadarm2
Expedition 74 flight engineers Chris Williams and Jessica Meir conducted a seven-hour spacewalk to replace a wrist joint on the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robot arm on June 30, 2026.
‘Dune 3’ Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailer, and More For the Sci-Fi Epic
Here's what we know about the third 'Dune' movie, titled 'Dune: Part Three,' including the cast, plot and release date.
Harvard Professor With Polarizing Alien Theories To Lead New White House UFO Council
Avi Loeb, a cosmologist who studied black holes and served as head of Harvard’s astronomy department until 2020, has been appointed to lead a White House panel studying UFOs.
Inside Chernobyl, a Fungus Has Been Quietly Feasting on Radiation
It's thriving. ScienceAlert stories are written, fact-checked, and edited by humans, never generated by AI. Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
States Sue Trump Administration Over Medicaid Work Requirements
The lawsuit argues that new federal rules went beyond what Congress enacted and broke from guidance that the federal government previewed to states.
NASA’s Chandra Reveals ‘Red, White, Blue’ Universe for US 250th
In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States, NASA has unveiled four cosmic images from its Chandra X-ray Observatory rendered in red, white, and blue that represent the wonders of the universe the agency explores.
Netflix Is Turning A Cult Classic Gaming Franchise Into A TV Series
It’s hard to overstate just how much the modern role-playing game owes to Japan. There was a time in the late 2000s and early 2010s when Western gaming journalism derided the JRPG for its overt anime and manga influences, but contemporary RPGs are indebted to Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, Dragon Quest, and other Japanese role-playing franchises that outgrew their initial market to become international juggernauts.
Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez’s New Movie Puts Refreshing Spin On A Sci-Fi Trope
Animation is the perfect medium for science fiction, and not just because it makes special effects a lot easier. Science fiction began in books, and nothing replicates the feeling of imagining strange new worlds like animation. We’ve seen plenty of sci-fi animated movies, from Fantastic Planet to The Wild Robot, but Not Alone, a new movie from Illumination flips the script and makes the sci-fi element a subplot in an even greater story.
Space Force fields mobile satellite-jamming system
The system known as Meadowlands is transitioning to operational use as the military places greater emphasis on electronic warfare
A Day of Flight Testing at NASA Armstrong
Flight testing is a team sport. For nearly 80 years, teams at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, have used flight testing to push the limits of aerodynamics and advance aviation.
La NASA adjudica nuevas misiones científicas para Base Lunar y adelanta nuevas oportunidades
Read this news release in English here. La NASA anunció el martes la selección de tres empresas para llevar a cabo cuatro nuevas misiones a la Luna a finales de 2028 como parte del programa Base Lunar de la agencia.
'Zero-calorie' foods won't help you lose weight. This might
Negative-calorie or zero-calorie foods are controversial despite their popularity on diet websites. The idea is that our bodies use as much (or more) energy to digest a chosen fruit or vegetable as the energy it provides.
NextSTEP-3 B: Moon Base Demonstrations
Notice ID: Coming Soon NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate is seeking innovative ideas from industry partners through a new solicitation appendix under the NextSTEP-3 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement. Appendix B: Moon Base Demonstrations calls for industry-led demonstrations, risk reduction, and special topic activities that enable an enduring human presence on the lunar surface.
NASA Awards More Moon Base Science, Previews New Opportunities
NASA announced Tuesday the selection of three companies to land four new missions on the Moon in late 2028 as part of the agency’s Moon Base Program. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines will deliver NASA science payloads to the lunar surface as the agency builds the first outpost on another celestial world.
OIG Has Issues With Commercial Crew
Keith’s note: The NASA OIG has issued a report on Management of Commercial Crew – and they are concerned with a lot of things. Summary below.
Science, Not Politics, Makes Space Great
Keith’s note: Instead of political stunts let’s focus on the things where American excellence leads humanity. We are the first nation to sail between the stars.
Mars may have once been filled with seas of magma that made the Red Planet habitable
“If Mars could develop this kind of complex crust without plate tectonics, then maybe the conditions needed for habitability can emerge on more planets than we realized.”
Matthew Williams Joins the Commercial Space Federation as Senior Advisor, National Security
June 30, 2026 – Washington, D.C.
Why billionaires could reverse ageing for everyone – but keep refusing to
The ultra-rich keep spending millions to live forever – so why are the real breakthroughs going unfunded?
‘Star Fox’ is an eye-catching reimagining of a timeless sci-fi classic, but we’ve been here before
Nintendo and Velan Studios' high-fidelity remake of Star Fox 64 for Switch 2 is an arcade-y blast from the past without major deviations.
’Supergirl’s Box Office Failure Isn’t As Bad As You May Think
It makes perfect sense that Supergirl is getting compared to 2025’s Superman. Kara Zor-El was created to be a female counterpart to her cousin, and her big movie was directly teased in the final moments of Superman. However, the audience response to the two movies has been very different: in its first weekend, Superman earned $125 million at the domestic box office, while Supergirl only managed to bring in $38 million.
Rubin Observatory begins filming the ‘greatest cosmic movie ever’ beginning a new era of astronomy
"With the launch of the ten-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the Rubin Observatory is opening a new window on the universe."
Peculiar Bat Behavior Revealed in a 400-Year-Old Painting
For more than 400 years, an oil painting titled Air by Flemish master Jan Brueghel the Elder has been hiding a scientific secret about bats and their nighttime feeding behavior – and we’ve only just spotted it.
