Is Mars really red? A physicist explains the planet’s reddish hue and why it looks different to some telescopes

Fireworks might light up the sky for us, but they can be downright terrifying for pets and wildlife—think panicked dogs, disoriented birds, and stressed-out wildlife. On the human side, they’re not always a blast either: noise-sensitive folks, veterans with PTSD, and parents of startled toddlers know the struggle. The article unpacks the less-talked-about downsides of our favorite fiery tradition.

Turns out, the ocean’s tiniest creatures are doing some heavy lifting in the fight against climate change. Scientists discovered that a small, deep-sea animal—likely zooplankton—feasts near the surface, gets plump, then migrates to the ocean depths, effectively locking away carbon that would otherwise warm the planet. It’s like a natural carbon capture system, but with a side of midnight snacking.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky nature fact—it’s a big deal. The oceans already absorb about a quarter of human-emitted CO₂, and if these tiny migrators are helping even more, it could reshape how we understand Earth’s carbon cycle. Plus, it’s a hopeful reminder that nature has its own clever ways of balancing things out. Who knew gluttony could be so eco-friendly?

Former President Trump just signed off on a new bill nicknamed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which includes $85 million to relocate the retired space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., to Space Center Houston in Texas. The move must happen by January 2027, meaning one of NASA’s most iconic spacecraft will soon have a new home.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about shuffling a museum piece—it’s a political and cultural shift. The Discovery is a symbol of American space history, and moving it to Texas (a state with deep ties to NASA’s Johnson Space Center) could spark debates over who "owns" that legacy. Plus, $85 million is a lot for a relocation, so expect some questions about costs versus benefits. For space fans, it’s a big deal—just not everyone will agree on whether it’s a good one.

Anna Ornstein, a renowned psychoanalyst and Holocaust survivor who championed a compassionate approach to therapy, has passed away at 98. Her life was marked by unimaginable trauma, yet she dedicated her career to fostering empathy and the idea that people are capable of growth and healing.

Scientists studying fossils from Earth's worst mass extinction—252 million years ago—found that the collapse of forests worldwide threw the planet's carbon cycle into chaos. Without trees to absorb CO2, Earth basically got stuck in a brutal, million-year-long super-greenhouse state. It's a stark warning about how ecosystems can tip into irreversible heat when key natural balances break down.