Popular Science

“Why humans don’t have tails” and “Jell-O creates gigantic jiggling device to measure crowd noise.”

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Why humans don’t have tails

The answer dates to a time when a tail could’ve been a deadly problem.

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From Our Archives

NASA’s three-phase Artemis program (Artemis II and the four astronauts that were aboard the Orion spacecraft mark the second phase) has a very ambitious goal: to create a permanent lunar base by the 2030s. But the idea of creating a base on the moon is far from new. In July 1985, Popular Science published a multi-page spread on that very topic. While experts even then agreed a moon base was possible, the enterprise was still plagued with problems.

The 1985 story cited renowned astronomer Carl Sagan’s fears that “funding a lunar colony would delay any expedition to Mars, which he consider[ed] more important.” On the other hand, proponents of a moon base, such as geologist and U.S. Sen. Dr. Harrison H. (Jack) Schmitt, considered the mission “a stepping stone to Mars.” But perhaps the biggest debate around creating a permanent moon base was the money it would take to get there. As long as NASA has been around, people have always questioned: How much money should the U.S. be spending on space exploration? And how much should be spent here on Earth? 1985 was no different. -Sarah Durn, associate editor

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Three Things

ICYMI: How does your brain know something is real?

The answer might be less complicated than you think.

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This week’s wildest science fact: Jell-O has created a gigantic jiggling device to measure crowd noise

This is not a late April Fool’s joke.

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From Our Community

Last weekend we asked: What’s the most interesting name you’ve ever given to an animal?

PM told us:

After Easter dinner a year ago, some neighbours found a very dirty, very cuddly hamster running around in the grass outside. My daughter was outside with them and rescued her. Because she (the hamster) was so intrepid and adventurous, my daughter decided to name her Amelia, after Amelia Earhart. Of course, given the circumstances, that name became Hamelia.

Hamsters are not long-lived and, unfortunately, Hamelia passed away a week before Easter this year. It was sad to lose her but she had an amazing life with my daughter in the meantime, even coming with us on vacation. Just goes to show that even the smallest of creatures can touch our hearts.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in.