Natalie Wolchover

These amazing new optical illusions show just how weird the human brain really is.

An optical illusion that tricks the brain into thinking one's hands have vanished wins the title of "Best Illusion of 2012" in an annual contest.

Millions of Americans belief they have been abducted by aliens. How did this phenomenon take off?

Thousands of dolphins and seabirds, particularly pelicans, have washed ashore in northern Peru in recent weeks. Why?

A new fluid physics study offers tips for how to avoid annoying java spills.

Scientists explain why math would be different, possibly with profound consequences for human intelligence. They think the sixth finger would likely be an extra thumb.

We can see far beyond Earth's horizon.

There are a couple of theories floating around about why the moon looks larger near the horizon. Either way, be sure to check out the effect during the "supermoon" on Saturday.

Ponder these five lunar mysteries while you're gazing at the big and beautiful supermoon this Saturday night.

In short, it would hurt and you would die. Find out the gory details.

Have no fear of the supermoon this Saturday. Earth can handle its slightly-stronger-than-normal gravitational pull.

Finding a specimen from space takes hard work and dedication, but these steps will get you looking in the right direction.

Our brains are generally adept at processing sensory data from everyday life, but in these 10 circumstances, they comically fail.

There's nothing especially heinous about pollen, except that it's everywhere.

There are six criteria that animals must meet in order to be harnessed by humans.

Conditions are pretty grim on an Earth with no atmosphere.

You'd need all the gold in the world.

An admittedly intriguing object has been found in a new NASA image of the sun. Is it a UFO?

In the history of YouTube, there has been one viral video after another. But these five take the cake, by spread faster and farther than all others.

Great headway has recently been made in determining what makes people good at drawing, and how the skill can be learned.

Space law experts strongly disagree when it comes to the legal status of asteroid mining. Who owns mined materials the company that goes and gets them, or all of mankind?

Modern humans' fascination with fire is a consequence of inadequate fire learning during childhood, an evolutionary anthropologist suggests.

A recently discovered box whose discoverers are calling the earliest Christian artifact appears to be a case of finding meaning in random lines.

Scholars argue that a harsh winter may have spurred the accusations that led to the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.