Seventy miles outside of Houston, there is a giant concrete facility. Deep beneath this facility lies a network of caverns filled with oil. This is part of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. So, how did this plan come to be and how does it play a role in global economics?
Will we live on Mars someday?
Humans have long looked up in space and thought about how we could live among the stars one day. Right now, life on Mars would require a ton of equipment and shelter to protect us from the harsh environment. But what if we could make Mars more like Earth? How would we even do that? The answer is lasers!
In search of the darkest thing on Earth
What does it mean for something to be the color black? Simply put, it’s when light cannot be reflected by an object. You might be surprised to learn that scientists have been searching for ways to create the blackest black in the world. It turns out super black paints can change the science world.
Why the Ringling Brothers operated a secret spy agency
When you think of the Ringling Brothers, you probably think of trapeze artists, fire breathers and tigers jumping through hoops. Spies probably don’t come to mind. But in fact, there was a time when the company synonymous with the circus ran its own spy agency. The reason they did it is truly shocking.
Tech Refresh: Spot deepfakes, repair warning, best family plans
Wait until January to buy TVs, workout gear, winter clothes and home goods. Here’s why. Plus, TikTok live streams are getting out of control, best Christmas gifts under $50, cheapest family plans, be careful getting your phone or computer repaired and a new way to recognize fake images and videos.
The strange way airports get their call signs
Every airport has its own specific three-letter code. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is PHX, for example, and Denver International Airport is DEN. It turns out that the way these codes are assigned is much more complicated than just abbreviating the city or state. If you fly to Montreal, Canada the call sign is YUL. Why is this and how does the system work?
What would happen if a supernova hit Earth?
Supernovas are the largest explosions in the universe. They happen when a dying star sheds its outer layer in a moment of extreme energy. If they’re so powerful, what would happen if one were to happen close to us? Would we be able to survive?
Does the Earth have other moons?
The Earth may seem lonely in the vastness of space, but it has had one constant companion over the last 4.5 billion years: The moon. But it turns out that the moon we see each night might not be Earth’s only moon. It all depends on your perspective.
The world's tallest egg drop
Many of us did the classic egg drop science experiment in school. This is where you build a contraption to protect an egg from a steep drop. But what if you took that to the next level and created something to protect the egg if it fell from space? That’s precisely what one engineer tried. Did he succeed?
How Amazon’s complicated shipping system really works
Amazon receives about 13 million orders every single day. Just a few days later, those packages arrive on the customer’s doorstep. So how is this shipping process so efficient? It turns out Amazon has an incredibly complex system that may be even more convoluted than you think.
Cooking a chicken by slapping it
There are many cooking methods out there for chicken. You can roast it, fry it, sauté it and many more. What about slapping? Well, one man did just that by creating a contraption that can slap a chicken until it’s fully cooked. But, how does it taste?
Scientists explain exactly what a T-Rex would taste like
Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. Recent scientific advancements suggest we’re getting close to bringing some of them back. So that begs the question, what would they taste like? Well, the answer might not be what you think.
Why fire smoke constantly follows you
If you’ve ever gathered around a campfire, you might have noticed the smoke seems to follow you no matter where you are. No, it’s not your bad luck — there’s actually a scientific reason behind it.
How do oysters make pearls?
Pearls are iridescent spheres made of the same materials as an oyster’s shell. So, why are they so much more beautiful than the shell itself? It all comes down to the life cycle of an oyster.
How humans solved the greatest riddle of navigation
When you look at a globe, you see horizontal and vertical lines crisscrossing the entire sphere. Those are latitude and longitude lines and they have helped us explore the Earth over the last 500 years. In this video, you’ll learn how to find your own latitude and longitude at home without using Google. Cool!
Why is the Vatican's giant telescope located in Arizona?
Here’s a fun fact for your next holiday get together: The Catholic church is a leading force in space exploration. How? The church funds a massive space telescope in the middle of the Arizona desert. Researchers have used it to make countless discoveries and better understand the universe. But why is it in Arizona?
Historic weapons that were complete failures
War has been a constant throughout human history. In some cases, war led to ingenious innovation — and other times, it led to abject failure. In this video, go back in time to see weapons once lauded as the next game-changers. In reality, they were never used in combat or failed once deployed.
Why the US Army's camouflage was a big mistake
Camouflage has been part of military strategy for millennia. It allows soldiers to hide in plain sight and attack without being seen. But a little over 20 years ago, the U.S. changed its military camouflage and everyone realized pretty quickly that it was a big mistake.
Spider eyes are more powerful than you think
Spiders are some of the smallest invertebrates on Earth, but these tiny creatures have a remarkable skill. They can see better than most animals 10 times their size. The trick is that their eyes are tiny little telescopes that allow them to focus on things in extraordinary detail. Some scientists even claim spiders can see the details of the moon. The real question is, why do they need to be able to do this?
What causes sleepwalking?
Most of us know someone or are someone who occasionally gets up in the middle of the night while they are sleeping and walks around the house or does something strange. This is called sleepwalking, and around 4% of US adults have reported this happening to them. But why does this happen, and what can we do to prevent it?