The 17 best popular science books of 2026 so far

• Carbon Brief has launched Project Cosmos, a comprehensive new database of climate science research and a ranking of the 500 most highly cited publications, authors, and institutions. • The tool is designed to track evolving interests in climate science over time and identify critical knowledge gaps to guide future research opportunities.

• The European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid spacecraft has captured the largest and most detailed image ever produced of the heart of the Milky Way galaxy. • The high-resolution photograph features over 60 million stars and identifies 51 known exoplanet systems within the region.

• Startup Katalyst Space is partnering with NASA to attempt a first-of-its-kind rescue mission to save the aging Swift space telescope. • The Arizona-based company developed a 935-pound robotic spacecraft called LINK in just 250 days to facilitate the operation.

• Penn State has been ranked No. 20 in space science according to the U.S. News 2026-27 'Global Universities' rankings. • The university's researchers are recognized for their work in discovering exoplanets, analyzing asteroid samples, and studying the evolution of the cosmos.

• The California Science Center will open the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery in November to house the Endeavour Space Shuttle. • The new facility is designed to preserve a critical chapter of space exploration while showcasing the shuttle as a national engineering marvel.

• The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope has captured the largest and most detailed image to date of the Milky Way’s center, featuring millions of stars. • This high-resolution imagery marks a significant advancement in astronomical observation, paving the way for a new era of planetary discovery.

• The California Science Center in Exposition Park will debut the Space Shuttle Endeavour in its ready-to-launch position this November. • The exhibit is housed in a new 200,000-square-foot addition that nearly doubles the center's total exhibit space.

• SpaceX has conducted the first launch of "Starfall," a new return capsule developed under a veil of secrecy. • Very few technical details have been released by the company, leaving the specific capabilities and design of the vehicle largely unknown.

• NASA plans to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in the coming years, intending to let the massive structure crash into the ocean. • A leading ocean conservation organization has raised serious concerns, arguing that the impact could negatively affect ocean health and marine ecosystems.

• New research suggests that plasma from distant stars may interfere with and transform radio signals sent by alien civilizations. • This phenomenon could cause signals to be distorted or altered, leading scientists on Earth to overlook prime evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

• NASA is conducting a formal review of the progress made toward the "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s" Decadal Survey. • The review focuses on evaluating significant scientific discoveries and technological advancements that have emerged since the publication of the Astro2020 report.