Popular Science

Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. Our digital subscription delivers deeply reported stories that 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.

The High Issue

Such great heights

How is the new era of NASA lunar missions different from the last?

What can you do to get past a fear of heights?

How will future coastal defenses handle rising tides?

Do high-tops elevate athletic performance?

What did it take to complete history’s supertall buildings?

Which sounds elude the human ear?

Will flying cars cause traffic jams in the sky?

Cloudy with a chance of climate crisis • Could reflecting more sunlight help tackle global warming? A cadre of retired physicists and engineers have decided to try.

Open minds • As tripping for our health goes mainstream, these visionaries are making sure no one—especially traditional users—gets left behind.

Fueling up and away • As more rockets than ever blast off, engineers are looking for alternative fuels that leave less gunk in the stratosphere.

Soaring demand • Precise tracking data powers a complex dance of ships and trains at the Port of Los Angeles.

Catching fire • Can high-flying balloons help keep tabs on wildfires? A Denver startup floats the idea.

Trap cosmic rays in a jar • Wait! Before you recycle that peanut butter container, consider making a cloud chamber.