New Neil Armstrong Prize to honor achievements in space

Scientists studying rocks from the Grand Canyon have uncovered fossils that hint at when complex life first thrived in Earth's ancient oceans. These findings suggest a vibrant ecosystem existed much earlier than previously thought, reshaping our understanding of life's evolution.

If you're tired of wrestling with clunky, inefficient garden tools, this roundup is for you. Popular Science has handpicked the top tools for 2025 that’ll save you time and effort—so you can focus on the fun part: actually enjoying your garden.

Editor’s Note: Gardening is supposed to be rewarding, not a chore. With better tools, you spend less time struggling and more time relaxing among your plants—which is the whole point, right? This list is a cheat sheet for upgrading your setup without the trial-and-error hassle.

** Imagine never having to scramble to catch a meteor shower or rocket launch again. This article highlights a handy way to sync your calendar with celestial events—like eclipses, space missions, and even stunning cosmic sightings (like the James Webb Telescope’s snap of galaxy NGC 1512). It’s basically a cosmic reminder system for stargazers and space enthusiasts.

Turns out, your grandpa might have been onto something with his gardening gear. While flashy electric tools dominate store shelves, this piece digs into why classic manual tools—think sturdy trowels and trusty pruning shears—still hold their own. They’re often more precise, durable, and even meditative to use, proving that sometimes low-tech is the smarter (or more satisfying) choice.

Editor’s Note: In a world obsessed with upgrades, this is a refreshing reminder that older doesn’t always mean obsolete. For gardeners, it’s not just nostalgia—these tools can save money, reduce waste, and even make the work more enjoyable. Plus, it’s a subtle nudge to rethink our "newer is better" default setting.

Scientists have uncovered a fascinating link between bizarre space weather—think intense auroras and cosmic radiation—and shifts in human behavior around 41,000 years ago. A quirky research collaboration suggests that our ancestors might have adapted their survival strategies in response to these celestial disruptions, though the exact "how" remains a mystery.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a fun "space did something weird" story—it hints at how deeply cosmic events might shape life on Earth, even in ways we’re only starting to piece together. If ancient humans really did tweak their behavior because of auroras or radiation, it adds a wild new layer to our understanding of human resilience. Plus, it’s a reminder that the universe isn’t just a backdrop; sometimes, it’s an active player in our history.