Science Fiction

What we find at the intersection of science fact and science fiction, from utopian metropolises to visitors from other worlds.

Latest in Science Fiction

Original 11-inch Star Trek USS Enterprise model on wooden stand

Science Fiction

Original ‘Star Trek’ USS Enterprise heads to MIT after resurfacing on eBay

USS Enterprise in space on Star Trek

Science Fiction

Physicist proves famous ‘Star Trek’ combat strategy works

Max Brooks photo layered over three images of his book cover for World War Z

Science Fiction

Max Brooks reflects on 20 years of ‘World War Z’

Colorized sperm whale teeth on a model. Sperm whales are the largest of all toothed whales.

Science Fiction

Could a whale really swallow a human? We asked a biologist.

By Jennifer Byrne

Dyson sphere. Alien mega structure around a star.

Science Fiction

Sorry, aliens didn’t build Dyson spheres around these dwarf stars

Man sitting next to C-3PO replica head

Science Fiction

Man 3D prints a chatty C-3PO head powered by AI

Three side by side images of Nichelle Nichols as Uhura from Star Trek

Science Fiction

When ‘Star Trek’ put the first Black astronaut into space

By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Repeating image of skulls with increasing doubling, blurring, ghosting, pixelation, and horizontal glitching

Science Fiction

‘Dune’ tried to warn us against AI

An artist's impression of a theoretical planet orbiting a redder star, which could cause microbes and plants on the planet's surface to reflect very different colours from Earth’s green forests. Gillis Lowry

Science Fiction

The 45 planets most likely to host alien life, according to astronomers

A portrait of two brothers, Nico and Matteo Mucchetti, posing with their homemade, full-sized replica of a purple ride vehicle from Disney's "Big Hero 6" attraction. The younger brother sits inside the purple wooden structure, which is detailed with orange accents and a string of LED lights along the edge, while the older brother leans over the back. They are positioned in a dimly lit room, creating a dramatic spotlight effect on them and their project.

Science Fiction

Teen brothers build a Disney-inspired ride in family basement

By Laura Kiniry

star wars poster

Science Fiction

This is now the most valuable piece of Star Wars memorabilia

A close-up photograph of a young girl's face peering out from under a large, white duvet or blanket. She is lying in bed, holding the blanket close to her chin, and has a frightened expression. The background is dark, emphasizing the light on her face.

Science Fiction

Why you ‘see’ things in the dark, according to an ophthalmologist

By Diana Hubbell

A close-up film still showing the face of an actor portraying Dracula, with bloodshot red eyes, blood dripping from his mouth, and pointed fangs visible. To the left, a woman's pale neck and chin, stained with blood, are visible as she is held by the vampire. The lighting is dark and dramatic.

Science Fiction

The spooky (and sweet) history of fake blood

A light-toned painting shows a body wrapped in a white shroud lying on a bed or stone slab. Above the body, a translucent, ghostly figure with long hair and a white garment floats away, reaching upward with its arms. A framed window on the left side of the room reveals a blue sky and green hills with a mountain in the distance. The style is soft and ethereal, suggesting the departure of a soul.

Science Fiction

The 21 grams experiment that tried to weigh a human soul

Steven Spielberg, director of ‘Jaws,’ films the mechanical shark on set.

Science Fiction

50 years of the ‘Jaws effect’

By Laura Baisas

a movie poster for the film project hail mary

Science Fiction

Watch the first trailer for ‘Project Hail Mary’

By Popular Science Team

George Lucas, Doug Chiang, and John Knoll in a scene from Lucasfilm's LIGHT & MAGIC, Season 2, exclusively on Disney+.

Science Fiction

Q&A: The legendary VFX artist who brought Captain Davy Jones, ‘The Abyss,’ and more to life

By Laura Baisas

Jeff VanderMeer next to book cover for Absolution

Science Fiction

Jeff VanderMeer talks about his new novel and ‘deranged court jester’ Elon Musk

Starship Titanic promo art displaying the ship's in-game bots

Science Fiction

The improbable voyage of Starship Titanic, the 1998 Douglas Adams video game filled with ‘unhinged’ chatbots

Make it snow! Researchers explore sci-fi scenarios of human weather control

Science Fiction

Make it snow! Researchers explore sci-fi scenarios of human weather control

By Mack DeGeurin