"Scientifically, it's showing us something that is hard, and usually impossible, to see directly."

Hubble glimpses huge "dark rays" streaming out of black hole

Probably Nothing

After a citizen scientist saw what looked like beams of darkness coming out of a black hole, scientists think it's similar to light piercing through clouds.

Hubble Glimpses Huge “Dark Rays” Streaming Out of Black Hole

Scientists took a closer look at Hubble images of a supermassive black hole — and saw what appeared to be long beams of darkness streaming out.

Qualia Immune is a blend of 19 ingredients scientifically formulated to nourish innate and adaptive immunity.

Give your immune system the cutting edge support it deserves

Brands We Love

Neurohacker Collective's Qualia Immune is a nutritional formula designed to provide comprehensive support for your immune system.

Give Your Immune System the Cutting Edge Support It Deserves

Kin Euphorics are the all rage for dining industry insiders, a future-forward way of drinking that you've never tried before, but can, now. Check this out.

These futuristic mood-altering beverages are better than booze

If you're looking for something better than booze, there's Kin Euphorics, the mood-altering non-alcoholic beverages you've been waiting for.

These Futuristic Mood-Altering Beverages Are Better Than Booze

Kin Euphorics are the non-alcoholic beverages we've been waiting for.

Doses can be stored at fridge temperatures, making them far easier to distribute.

Third major COVID vaccine turns out to be super effective

Vaccinated

UK's Oxford University and AstraZeneca have announced their COVID-19 vaccine is up to 90 percent effective according to preliminary study results.

Third Major COVID Vaccine Turns Out to Be Super Effective

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/23/21590985/oxford-university-astrazeneca-vaccine-coronavirus-covid-19-trial-effectiveness">Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine trial shows up to 90 percent effectiveness</a> [The Verge]

More on vaccines: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/pfizer-covid-vaccine-95-percent-effective">New Results: First COVID Vaccine Even Better Than Scientists Thought</a>

This one is way cheaper to produce — at just $4 per dose.

We're making some changes, growing. Here's to you, our community, growing with us.

To our community: On the future of Futurism

News You Can Use

Futurism Readers –  We’ve got some news. Like the rest of the writing on this site, we’re giving you the need-to-know, sharp and succinct: We need your help to survive. Beginning today, the journalism and news-gathering of Futurism.com is going behind a metered paywall. Subscriptions start at less than $1.25 a week. We’ll also be […]

To Our Readers: On the Future of Futurism

You're about to see some changes around here. We hope you'll hang around to see them.

"This feels like you are actually inside a dragon bringing us up to space, so that was quite a feeling."

SpaceX better than Shuttle or Soyuz, says astronaut who flew all three

Expert Opinion

Japanese aerospace agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi explained during a press conference from aboard the space station that "Dragon is the best."

SpaceX Better Than Shuttle or Soyuz, Says Astronaut Who Flew All Three

"The Dragon is the best, short answer."

There's no question: Musk is dreaming big.

Elon Musk: First Mars city will start with glass domes

Mars Rush

Musk elaborated on his vision of establishing a permanent foothold on Mars, claiming that "life in glass domes" will come first — and then terraforming.

Elon Musk: First Mars City Will Start With Glass Domes

"At least a future spacefaring civilization — discovering our ruins — will be impressed humans got that far."

"This decision is not an easy one for NSF to make, but safety of people is our number one priority."

Iconic Arecibo alien-hunting observatory will be demolished

The National Science Foundation has announced that the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is officially being decommissioned and demolished.

Iconic Arecibo Alien-Hunting Observatory Will Be Demolished

BREAKING: The Arecibo SETI observatory will be demolished, in a sad day for the hunt for extraterrestrial life.

Biden's transitional team already has a lot on their plate.

Progressive groups call for elimination of Space Force

What's a Space Force?

According to a memo, progressive groups are planning to pressure president-elect Joe Biden's transition team into eliminating the Space Force.

Progressive Groups Call For Elimination of Space Force

A memo called the service an "unnecessary bureaucracy that costs $16 billion in 2021."

Ever wanna work with someone remotely? Been in a creative rut? Spotify just built your way through. This thing's rad.

Collaborate With Anyone, Anywhere With This Online Recording Studio From Spotify

Audio collaboration is now easier than ever thanks to Soundtrap for Spotify. It lets you work with anyone, anywhere, in a virtual recording studio.

Collaborate With Anyone, Anywhere with This Online Recording Studio from Spotify

Soundtrap puts a world of audio collaboration at your fingertips.

It's a lot easier to build a gigantic telescope on the Moon out of liquid than coated glass.

Astronomers propose giant "liquid mirror" telescope on the Moon

Big Moon Vat Energy

A team of astronomers have brought a wild concept back from the grave: a liquid-mirror telescope, 100 meters in diameter, built on the surface of the Moon.

Astronomers Propose Giant “Liquid Mirror” Telescope on the Moon

A swirling vat of reflective liquid on the Moon's surface could allow us to study the moments following the Big Bang.

Scientists: The human brain has odd similarities to the entire universe

Woooaaah

The observable universe and the neuronal networks of the human brain are astonishingly alike according to a new paper by an astrophysicist and neurosurgeon.

Scientists: The Human Brain Has Odd Similarities to the Entire Universe

An astrophysicist and a neurosurgeon teamed up on the ultimate galaxy brain theory.

The Raspberry Pi is a great place to begin learning how to build your own connected devices. And this bundle, 97% off the usual price, will teach you how.

Learn how the Internet of Things works with these Raspberry Pi classes

Raspberry Pi-rade

In 1965, Gordon Moore, who co-founded Intel, observed that in his experience, the number of transistors you can fit into a given space would double about every two years. This quickly was dubbed Moore’s Law, and it’s arguably had one of the greatest impacts on the world. One of those was the availability of cheap, […]

Learn How the Internet of Things Works with These Raspberry Pi Classes

Build your own smart mirror, smart trash can, and more with this training. 

Japan reserved 500 million vaccines. But distributing them in time will be difficult.

Japan is still trying to hold the Olympics in 2021

Eight-Month Dash

Japanese officials and the International Olympic Committee are trying to keep the 2021 games on track during the pandemic, but it may prove too challenging.

Japan Is Still Trying to Hold the Olympics in 2021

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/japan-tokyo-olympics-covid-plan">How Japan is scrambling to save the Tokyo Olympics</a> [Wired]

More on the Tokyo Olympics: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/japan-hack-devices-olympics">Japan Plans to Hack 200 Million Devices to Prepare for Olympics</a>

Developments

The Japanese government has already reserved 500 million vaccines.

Pharmaceutical accidentally gave wrong dose in COVID vaccine trial

Happy Accident

UK’s Oxford University and European pharmaceutical AstraZeneca found their COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective because of a dosing error.

Pharmaceutical Accidentally Gave Wrong Dose in COVID Vaccine Trial

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-dosing/dosing-error-turns-into-lucky-punch-for-astrazeneca-and-oxford-idUSKBN28327Q">Dosing error turns into lucky punch for AstraZeneca and Oxford</a> [Reuters]

More on the vaccine: <a href="https://futurism.com/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-effective">Third Major COVID Vaccine Turns Out to Be Super Effective</a>

Oops.

Cold, hard data shows that counties that adopted Kansas' mask mandate fared significantly better than those that ignored it.

New research: Yes, mask mandates help fight COVID-19 spread

Mask Up 

A new CDC report confirms what ought to be common knowledge: widespread mask-wearing helps slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

New Research: Yes, Mask Mandates Help Fight COVID-19 Spread

READ MORE: <a class="c-link" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/23/937173060/mask-mandates-work-to-slow-spread-of-coronavirus-kansas-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/23/937173060/mask-mandates-work-to-slow-spread-of-coronavirus-kansas-study-finds" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Mask Mandates Work To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus, Kansas Study Finds</a> [NPR]

More on masks: <a class="c-link" href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/new-research-masks-extremely-effective-stopping-virus-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://futurism.com/neoscope/new-research-masks-extremely-effective-stopping-virus-spread" data-sk="tooltip_parent">New Research: Masks Extremely Effective at Stopping Virus Spread</a>

Studies

"This adds to the growing body of evidence that says large, widespread masking helps to slow the spread of COVID."

"Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody."

Dr. Fauci says that Santa Claus is immune to COVID

Coming to Town

"Santa is exempt from this because Santa, of all the good qualities, has a lot of good innate immunity," infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said.

Dr. Fauci Says That Santa Claus Is Immune to COVID

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/20/covid-19-and-christmas-santa-immune-coronavirus-fauci-says/3777871001/">Fauci says Santa Claus has &#8216;innate immunity&#8217;, won&#8217;t be spreading COVID-19 to anyone this Christmas</a> [USA Today]

More on Santa: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/how-kids-meeting-santa-age-coronavirus">Here&#8217;s How Kids Are Meeting Santa in the Age of the Coronavirus</a>

"The good news is that mask compliance there is pretty good, and the elves are committed to social distancing."

"He was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, turn around, turn around!'"

Scientists discover mysterious metal "monolith" in Utah wilderness

Da Heck

A team of biologists have discovered a bizarre metal monolith in the wilderness in Utah — and they have no idea where it came from.

Scientists Discover Mysterious Metal “Monolith” in Utah Wilderness

Alien artifact, or guerilla art installation?

Apparently, military electronics can give away their location.

The Army is developing a way to spoof soldiers' electromagnetic signatures

Airplane Mode

The Army is developing a system that can hide or replicate the electromagnetic signals given off by a soldier's gear to make them harder to track.

The Army Is Developing a Way to Spoof Soldiers’ Electromagnetic Signatures

It's a new cat-and-mouse game over technological tracking.

The last successful lunar return mission occurred in 1976 when the Soviet Union's Luna 24 returned 170 grams of lunar soil.

China successfully launches lunar sample return mission

Scooping Moon Rocks

China has successfully launched its sample return mission to the Moon as part of the country's Chang'e-5 mission at 3:31 pm Eastern time.

China Successfully Launches Lunar Sample Return Mission

It's the first mission of its kind since the mid 1970s.

The technology could one day power glucose or even brain activity monitors without the need of batteries.

Scientists create electronic gadget powered by quantum tunneling

No Batteries

A team of researchers have created a sensor that can function for an entire year with a single tiny jumpstart of power by using quantum tunneling.

Scientists Create Electronic Gadget Powered by Quantum Tunneling

A tiny jumpstart of energy allows it to run for an entire year.

NASA tests experimental interstellar propulsion system

Flying Too Close to the Sun

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory are testing if we can harness the heat of the Sun to travel to interstellar space.

NASA Tests Experimental Interstellar Propulsion System

"What this is showing is that solar thermal propulsion is not just a fantasy."

Scientists are still tracking down the source of the coronavirus.

The first known COVID patient was identified exactly one year ago

Grim Anniversary

It's been exactly a year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in China, according to a March report by the South China Morning Post.

The First Known COVID Patient Was Identified Exactly One Year Ago

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3074991/coronavirus-chinas-first-confirmed-covid-19-case-traced-back">Coronavirus: China’s first confirmed Covid-19 case traced back to November 17</a> [South China Morning Post]

More on the virus: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/china-covid-vaccines-black-market">In China, COVID Vaccines Are Already Selling on the Black Market</a>

Who was patient zero?

"As humanity expands beyond the limits of a single planet, it is particularly appropriate that we carry our rituals, celebrations and memorials along with us."

Upcoming mission will fly human remains to the Moon

Among The Stars

In July, a NASA launch will send vials of human cremains and DNA samples to their final resting place on the surface of the Moon.