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An Oxford Rocket Scientist Has Designed A Better Saucepan

The “Flare” Pan is a saucepan designed by University of Oxford engineer Thomas Povey that borrows design aspects from jet and rocket engines to burn hotter and more quickly than a conventional pan would over the same flame. It also looks pretty space age-y, which we can obviously get behind. The story goes that Povey,…

What’s the Best Book You’ve Ever Read About Space Travel?

Last week my co-worker Eric Limer recommended The Martian, a book about an astronaut struggling to survive after being stranded on Mars. It’s been way too long since I read a book about interplanetary exploration, and it’s fantastic to be back. The Martian isn’t just great because of its compelling storyline—it’s great because it deals…

Go Inside the Factory That Makes the World’s Solar Panels

While you’re watching the final game of the World Cup today, keep a keen eye on the advertisements along the sidelines. You’re likely to see the name Yingli Solar: a massive Chinese solar power manufacturer that few soccer fans are likely to know. Climate Desk recently visited Yingli’s sprawling plant, and got a first-hand look…

This Awe-Inspiring Stadium Is Now the Biggest Dome Ever Built

If huge spaces freak you out (looking at you, agoraphobes), look away now. Singapore’s huge new stadium, SportsHub, just clinched the title for the largest free-spanning dome structure ever built—stretching more than 1,010 feet across at its widest point. Designed by Arup, AECOM, and DPArchitects, this sprawling development doesn’t just include a 55,000-seat stadium—there’s also…

It’s So Hot In Yellowstone That a Road Literally Melted

Yellowstone National Park is riddled with constantly changing geothermal hot spots—it’s part of the reason for the park’s famous geysers. But this past Thursday, the area around one section of road got so hot that asphalt literally started melting. The soupy mess of a road forced park officials to close off access to some of…

How Far Do Soccer Players Run During a Match?

After four weeks of well-placed headers and acrobatic kicks and whatever was going on with Ronaldo’s hair, the World Cup finally draws to a close today. But while you’re holding your breath during the Germany-Argentina nail-biter, take a moment to appreciate the most astonishing feat that happens during these 90 minutes: How far these guys…

The First Full Trailer For Doctor Who Season 8 Plunges Us Into Darkness

You’ve seen the teasers, now bask in greatness of the first full trailer for Doctor Who Season 8, featuring our best look yet at Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor. Tons of great action to be had here, obviously. Explosions abound, the synthetic crackle of a Dalek’s voice declares that “life returns,” and a T.…

It’s brown bear salmon-catching season once again, and we all know what that means—Explore’s mesmerizing live cam is back in business. And this year, they’ve even added an underwater one. The world is Good, friends.

Show Us Your Photos of Last Night’s Glorious Supermoon

Last night was the first of what’s about to be the Summer of the Supermoon, which is exhausting for werewolves and absolutely spectacular for everyone else. There’s already quite a few photos popping up, so we’re asking you, dear readers, to show us the most beautiful photos you took of last night’s circular show. Supermoons…

Why the British Don’t Refrigerate Eggs

If you’ve ever been to a supermarket in the UK, you were probably surprised (if not a little grossed out) to see stacks of eggs hanging out with nary a refrigerated one in site. As it turns out, we might actually be the crazy ones. Business Insider did some research on the conundrum, and interestingly…

The Onion‘s Review Of Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes Is Pretty On Point

Warning: Profanity-laced lamentations ahead. For what it’s worth, we actually really enjoyed Dawn, calling it, by and large, superlative. But we understand Rosenthal’s sentiment. We really do. If you do, too, we suggest checking out this list of upcoming genre movies that aren’t sequels, remakes or reboots. [The Onion]

Read The Official Synopsis Of The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies

Warner Bros. has dished out the official synopsis for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Here’s WB’s rundown, translated from the original German release by the good folks over at The One Ring: From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” the third in a trilogy…

New Chrome Plugin Plays Clown Music Every Time You Read About Rob Ford

Toronto mayor and cherub-cheeked comedy goldmine Rob Ford is back in the news this week after a brief stint in rehab, where he may or may not have been using drugs but was definitely belligerent. To celebrate, here’s a Chrome extension that plays clown music at every mention of the crack-smokin’ mayor’s name. The extension,…

Watch The First Footage From Ronia The Robber’s Daughter

Studio Ghibli’s first foray into television will begin this fall with Ronia the Robber’s Daughter, an animated series based on the children’s book of the same name. Here’s the first footage from the series (it looks like an intro sequence), which began airing this weekend. Here’s a translation, courtesy of Anime News Network: Text: Goro…

These Underwater Photos Were Taken By a Desktop Scanner

The desktop scanner is a wonderful thing, but rugged it ain’t. Yet Nathaniel Stern didn’t let that stop him: The Wisconsin-based artist, who is known for his experimental camera designs, created a waterproof version of an off-the-shelf scanner that captured a series of incredible images of sea life. “Everything leaked, everything broke, nothing did what…

What Do You Find Out When You Put An Alligator On A Treadmill?

When you come across a paper on “alligator kinematics,” it’s time to pay attention. Somewhere, at some time, a scientist wanted to find out deep secrets of evolution and decided the best way to do it was putting an alligator on a treadmill. Crocodilians have two ways of getting around on land. There’s a sprawling…

Christopher Walken To Play A Tap Dancing Captain Hook In Peter Pan

Christopher Walken will star as Captain Hook in NBC’s live stage performance of Peter Pan. And he’ll be tap dancing. According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt is expected to announce Walken’s casting at today’s Television Critics Association’s summer press tour. This isn’t the first time NBC has staged a live broadcast…

Every Episode of South Park Is Streaming for Free on Hulu Right Now

Good news for fans of the lovable, animated fourth graders with filthy mouths. Starting today, all 17 seasons of South Park will bestreaming on Hulufor free. And you better get your fill while you can, because come fall—it’s paywall time. The hefty addition is part of a major deal Hulu just struck with South Park’s…

Here’s Our First Look At Lava, Pixar’s Next Animated Short

You’re looking at the first rendered image from Lava, the animated short from Pixar slated to premier next week at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan. The image appeared Friday in the L.A. Times, where Rebecca Keegan describes the origins of the “seven-minute musical love story” of volcanos “Uke” (pictured up top) and “Lele”:…

Dad Builds His Son A Damn Impressive Lego Boba Fett Costume

This Boba Fett Lego costume, created by Dented Helmet member CGS1 for his 6-year-old son, is one of the more technically impressive cosplays we’ve seen in some time. A graphic designer for almost 20 years, CGS1 spared no detail in the creation of the blocky outfit, which is all but indistinguishable from an embiggened Boba…