In this issue

FIRST CONTACT
AN ALIEN SIGNAL IS DISCOVERED. WHAT HEPPENS NEXT?

Why positive thinking BOOSTS YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

The spacecraft that NASA SMASHED INTO AN ASTEROID

DISCOVERIES

Perseverance has discovered the largest cache of organic material ever found on the Red Planet.

10+ mins

HOW NASA DEFLECTED AN ASTEROID BY CRASHING A SPACECRAFT INTO IT

NASA'S DART spacecraft made impact with its asteroid target on 27 September. Dr Tim Gregory tells us about this first-of-its-kind mission

6 mins

THINKING POSITIVELY CAN BE GOOD FOR YOUR BODY, NOT JUST YOUR BRAIN

Looking for an upside in any given situation can improve everything from the immune system to heart health

3 mins

BABY, YOU CAN DRIVE MY SELF-DRIVING CAR

Human drivers should not be held responsible for accidents caused by autonomous vehicles

3 mins

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE (DARK) MATTER

We've mapped it, but the exact nature of dark matter remains elusive. And for most astronomers that's okay

3 mins

YOUR INNER CHILD: WHAT IS IT, WHAT'S UP WITH IT AND DOES IT NEED HEALING?

Recent online articles have listed the signs that reveal your inner child is wounded, or that your inner child needs healing. But is there any real psychology behind this?

3 mins

SEWAGE: WHY IS RAW WASTE PUMPED INTO OUR SEAS AND CAN WE FIX IT?

The UK's ageing infrastructure is struggling to cope with increased rainfall and a growing population, and this means sewage is being discharged into our seas and rivers. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...

3 mins

GRIEF: WHY DO WE MOURN PUBLIC FIGURES?

Few people knew her personally, and yet many of us felt some sense of loss for the Queen

3 mins

In the right hands, wearables could revolutionise healthcare

We spoke to Prof Amitava Banerjee, a cardiologist and clinical data scientist, to better understand how smartwatches and fitness trackers could change medicine

4 mins

The five best camera gimbals

An essential bit of kit for smoother video and better selfies, says photographer James Abbott

3 mins

Ideas we like...

Our pick of the month's smartest tech

3 mins

NATURE'S REAL-LIFE VAMPIRES

Count Dracula... Lestat de Lioncourt... Laszlo... all these vampires have got oodles of charisma, natty dress sense and an intriguing backstory. But the problem is, they're fictional. We reckon the animal kingdom can do a lot better. Suck on this...

8 mins

FIRST CONTACT

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE EVER DETECT A SIGNAL FROM EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE?

8 mins

THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB MAN

MEN ARE LOSING FRIENDS AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE NEW ONES- AND MISSING OUT ON POWERFUL HEALTH BENEFITS IN THE PROCESS. BUDDY, WHAT'S GOING ON?

9 mins

FUNGI: THE EXPLAINER

THIS DIVERSE KINGDOM INCLUDES YEASTS, MOULDS, MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS

5 mins

Could we become cold, ruthless Cybermen?

We assess the likelihood of humanity turning into cyborgs, like Doctor Who's infamous foe

2 mins

Read all stories from BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus Magazine Description:

BBC Focus Magazine is the magazine of popular science and technology that explains the wonders of the Universe through stunning photography and accessible articles. Contributors include the very best writers and science experts, with columns every issue from renowned science writer Robert Matthews, TV presenter and scientist Helen Czerski, and science fiction author Stephen Baxter. From archaeology to neuroscience, climate change and particle physics, BBC Focus Magazine keeps you up to speed with the cutting-edge science and gadgets that will change our world.