Mars settlement and more: Global space leaders will tackle big ideas next week at ISDC 2025

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is on sale for just $40—a steep discount for a lifetime license to apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But hurry, the deal ends July 15.

Editor’s Note: For anyone who relies on Office apps but doesn’t want to pay a monthly subscription, this is a rare chance to lock in the full suite at a fraction of the usual cost. It’s a legit workaround for the subscription model, but the clock’s ticking.

New research suggests dolphins might experience echolocation less like "seeing" and more like "touching" their surroundings. Instead of a broad visual scan, they use focused, sweeping sonar beams to "feel" their way through the ocean—almost as if they’re running their fins over objects from a distance.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky dolphin fact—it could change how we understand their perception. If echolocation is more tactile than visual, it might explain why dolphins are so adept at navigating murky waters or detecting fine details in prey. Plus, it’s a humbling reminder that other species experience the world in ways we’re only starting to grasp.

A high-profile climate satellite called MethaneSAT, funded by Jeff Bezos and New Zealand, has gone dark in space after running into technical trouble. The $88 million mission was designed to track methane emissions—a major contributor to global warming—but now appears lost, dealing a blow to efforts to monitor greenhouse gases from orbit.

Editor’s Note: Losing MethaneSAT is more than just an expensive mishap—it’s a setback for climate science. Methane is a supercharged greenhouse gas, and this satellite was supposed to help pinpoint leaks from oil fields, landfills, and other sources. Without it, researchers and regulators have one less tool to hold polluters accountable. The failure also raises questions about the reliability of private-backed space missions, even when they’re tackling urgent problems like climate change.

Astronomers have captured a jaw-dropping image of a rare "double detonation" in a star—a phenomenon where two explosive events happen in quick succession. This isn’t just a cosmic light show; it could help scientists crack the code on "standard candles," the celestial yardsticks used to measure the universe’s expansion.

Editor’s Note: Imagine trying to measure the size of a room with a flickering flashlight—that’s kind of what astronomers deal with when studying the universe. This discovery gives them a clearer flashlight. By understanding how these stars explode, we get closer to solving big mysteries, like why the universe is expanding faster than expected. It’s a small step for a star, but a giant leap for cosmology.

If you're in one of 13 lucky U.S. states—stretching from Alaska all the way to New York—you might catch a rare glimpse of the northern lights tonight. A solar storm is heading our way, which could amp up geomagnetic activity and paint the sky with those mesmerizing auroras.

Editor’s Note: Seeing the northern lights this far south is a special treat—it doesn’t happen often. For skywatchers, it’s a chance to witness one of nature’s most dazzling light shows without hopping on a plane to the Arctic. Plus, it’s a cool reminder of how solar activity millions of miles away can light up our night sky.