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Visible aurora spotted for the first time on Mars by NASA rover

12 September 2024

If you were standing on Mars as it was hit by a solar flare, you might be able to see an aurora just like on Earth
J773YF Kitchenware on shelves with stainless steel sink in 17th century Kintyre stone cottage

What happens to the stains in my sink when I clean it with bleach?

11 September 2024

One reader wields the power of chemistry to answer this question - but concludes that elbow grease is probably the best approach to cleaning your sink
A view shows banners at Tel Aviv University campus as Sam Altman, CEO of Microsoft-backed OpenAI and ChatGPT creator is due to speak in Tel Aviv, Israel June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC2XC1AOM2OY

A riveting exploration of how AI models like ChatGPT changed the world

11 September 2024

Supremacy, a new book from tech journalist Parmy Olson, takes us inside the rise of machine learning and AI, and examines the people behind it
Dog in a Car Window and enjoy road trip; Shutterstock ID 95883655; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Is life better as a dog? A philosopher investigates

11 September 2024

What is it like to be a dog? And what can we learn from them? Mark Rowlands's take, in his book The Happiness of Dogs, is full of insights, finds Abigail Beall
BrainTwister #37: Digital multiplication

BrainTwister #37: Digital multiplication

11 September 2024

Can you solve this week’s logic puzzle? Plus our quick quiz and the answer to last week’s problem
2H6020J Few pedestrians on the rather busy street in metaverse conceptual reality

This week’s new questions

11 September 2024

Why do animals like rhinoceros and triceratops have horns while deer and elk have antlers? And is there any scientific evidence disproving the notion we are all part of a vast simulation run by an advanced civilisation?
Our fascination with monsters tells us a lot about ourselves

Our fascination with monsters tells us a lot about ourselves

11 September 2024

From serpents to zombie pathogens, there is science behind our love of monsters. It reveals a lot about who we are, says Natalie Lawrence
Hand pouring white wine into a glass from a BIB - cardboard bag in box with open tap standing on a table. Close up image. Copenhagen, Denmark - November 2, 2022. ; Shutterstock ID 2221452919; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

The mathematics behind pouring a glass of wine

11 September 2024

Katie Steckles enlists the help of fluid dynamics researcher Kat Phillips to explain the versatile piece of maths behind dispensing wine from a box
Netflix handout still: Supacell. SUPACELL is about a group of five ordinary people who unexpectedly develop superpowers. They have little in common except for one thing: they are all Black South Londoners. It is down to one man, Michael Lasaki, to bring them all together in order to save the woman he loves.

New Scientist recommends new superhero drama Supacell

11 September 2024

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
2CG262A Old fashioned street clock with Roman numerals without arrows on blue slightly cloudy sky background. Real view of street clock in city. Stopped time

What would happen if time stopped?

11 September 2024

Our readers consider this question from physical and philosophical perspectives, but mainly conclude: nothing

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