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If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 11 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 11

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Home stretch?

The hint for the theme is that they aren't always counted in the square footage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to exterior spaces attached to homes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is BonusSpaces.

NYT Strands word list for August 11

• Deck

• Patio

• Veranda

• BonusSpaces

• Sunroom

• Balcony

• Terrace

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for August 11's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 10 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 10 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

British pastry.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SCONE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 11's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 11 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Big boats

• Green: Icon of the game

• Blue: In reference to

• Purple: Sounds like a body part

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Large Boat

• Green: All-time Great

• Blue: Regarding

• Purple: Homophones of Body Features

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #427 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Large Boat: BARGE, CRAFT, SHIP, VESSEL

• All-time Great: BEST, CHAMP, GOAT, LEGEND

• Regarding: ABOUT, CONCERNING, ON, TOWARD

• Homophones of Body Features: HARE, I, MUSSEL, NAVAL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Disney's biennial D23 expo has followed hot on the heels of some surprises at San Diego Comic-Con in July — an event that saw the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How do you one up that announcement? With lots and lots of new ones.

SEE ALSO: Disney+ will actually crack down on password sharing next month

Day one of the weekend event saw the return of several Disney classics like The Incredibles, Toy Story, and Frozen. And between Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, there was something for everyone. That's why we rounded up every announcement, trailer, teaser, remake, and more so you don't have to miss a thing.

SEE ALSO: Disney+ will actually crack down on password sharing next month Moana 2

Kicking off the entertainment showcase was the official trailer for Moana 2. Set three years later, Moana and demigod trickster Maui team up once again to face a new threat to Oceania.

It seems Disney has plans for Moana to be its new flagship Disney Princess, because, on top of the sequel, we're also getting a live-action remake. That has already started production and can be expected in 2026. However, you can catch Moana 2 on November 27, 2024.

Snow White

This one has been in production hell and subject to some intense controversy since filming wrapped up in 2022. However, the release of the live-action remake of Disney's 1937 classic is finally on the horizon.

The teaser trailer gives us our first looks at Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot as Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively, along with its heavily-CGI'd world. This one hits theaters on March 21, 2025.

First look at Stitch in the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch Tweet may have been deleted

Lilo & Stitch is another classic Disney film that no one really asked for a live-action remake of, but we're getting one anyway. Given Disney's visual effects track record when it comes to anthropomorphic animals, our first look at Stitch is exactly what one would expect, which boils down to "yep, that's him alright."

Beyond that initial teaser at D23, it was also announced that this adaptation of the 2002 cult classic will get a Summer 2025 release.

Incredibles 3 announcement Tweet may have been deleted

With Fantastic 4 getting some love as of late, it makes sense that the family film franchise inspired by Marvel's First Family is announced to be making its return. Helmed by long-time writer and director of the series Brad Bird, Incredibles 3 was announced as in production at Pixar.

No further details have been provided outside the announcement. It should be noted that Incredibles 2 was the highest-grossing animated film of all time until Inside Out 2 took the throne.

Toy Story 5 teaser

Speaking of beloved animated Pixar movies that ... maybe should've ended two films ago, fans at D23 got a small teaser for Toy Story 5. According to director Andrew Stanton, Woody, Buzz, and the gang will be fighting to stop their new child from becoming an iPad kid.

“This time around, it’s toy meets tech," Stanton said at D23. "It’s going to be fun, and we can’t wait for you all to see it in the summer of 2026."

Frozen 3 Tweet may have been deleted

Oscar-winning film Frozen is set to get its third movie in the franchise sometime in 2027, according to its creator Britney Lee. There was also a small teaser shown to guests at D23 that showed Elsa and Anna riding a white horse and a brown stag.

Beyond that, it was also announced that after the release of Frozen 3, there are plans for a Frozen 4.

Zootopia 2 Tweet may have been deleted

Oh, look, another sequel. This time, it's for the hit Disney film Zootopia, which saw bunny cop Judy Hopps blackmail fox con artist Nick into helping her solve a crime.

The duo is back again with Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan as a snake named Gary. The casting of Quan was the big news regarding this announcement, but fans of the series can expect this to hit theaters around Thanksgiving of next year.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Skeleton Crew is set during the New Republic era, the years after Return of the Jedi, and based on its plot synopsis, will be about four kids lost in the galaxy trying to make their way home. Jude Law is also set to make his debut in the galaxy far, far away, this time as a force user named Jod Na Nawood.

We also got a first look at what the suburbs look like in the Star Wars universe. Based on the trailer shown at D23, this show is heavily inspired by classic Steven Spielberg films like E.T. and Hook.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premieres on Disney+ on Dec. 3.

Agatha All Along

A new trailer for the WandaVision sequel series Agatha All Along hit the stage at D23, along with a performance of an original song, "The Ballad of the Witches Road."

Kathryn Hahn will reprise her role as the witch Agatha Harkness and is joined in the show by costars Joe Locke, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and Debra Jo Rupp.

The show will follow Hahn in the aftermath of WandaVision having to face a "magical gauntlet of trials" along the Witches Road as she seeks to gain her powers back.

The first two episodes of Agatha All Along will premiere on Disney+ on September 18.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps snippet

Fans at D23 got an exclusive sneak peek at the initial teaser trailer for Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps starring Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing). This didn't stop fans from recording it and posting it across social media though, and it can easily be found by searching.

The trailer is the same one shown at SDCC last month and is made from lots of test footage and conceptual previsualization reels. Still, what Marvel has on hand now with filming still ongoing is pretty impressive.

Alongside the all-star cast as Marvel's First Family, the film will also star Julia Garner (Ozark) as the Silver Surfer's lover Shalla-Bal, and Ralph Ineson (The Witch, The First Omen) as the world-devouring entity Galactus. Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich will also co-star in undisclosed roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release on July 25, 2025.

Daredevil: Born Again snippet

Alongside Fantastic Four, Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again sequel series also had its exclusive trailer leaked on the internet by phone-happy fans. Feel free to search, because we won't be embedding the trailer for this one here either.

Serving as a continuation of the beloved Netflix Daredevil, Charlie Cox and his co-stars Vincent D'Onofrio (Kingpin), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), and Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson) all return to make their official debuts into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The trailer shown at D23 was jam-packed with surprises such as the return of Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Wilson Bethel's Bullseye. Alongside them was our first look at the costumed vigilante White Tiger.

There's no official trailer yet, but the show is set to release on Disney+ on March 1, 2025.

Avatar 3 is now Avatar: Fire and Ash Tweet may have been deleted

After the smash success of Avatar: The Way of Water, it makes sense that its planned follow-up film will be all about fire. Director James Cameron and stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña took took the stage to reveal the official title to the next film in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash.

While no official details of the sequel were revealed, Cameron did show attendees concept art from the film showing the Ash People of the Na'vi and their otherworldly masks — taking clear inspiration from traditional Native American ghost dances.

The planned release date for Fire and Ash is December 19, 2025, but if you can't wait and want some Na'vi lore to fill the gap, check out Massive Entertainment's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora video game.

Freaky Friday 2 is now Freakier Friday Tweet may have been deleted

While there aren't a lot of details about this film, stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee-Curtis appeared on stage to announce that Freaky Friday 2, the sequel to the 2003 film, will officially be titled Freakier Friday.

According to a Disney press release, the sequel sees the return of mother-daughter duo Tess and Anna Coleman (Curtis and Lohan respectively) as Anna and her daughter prepare to marry into a new family.

Also returning in Freakier Friday from the original cast are Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rosalind Chao.

Freakier Friday is set to release sometime in 2025.

Tron: Ares

Finally to cap off this round-up of D23's entertainment showcase was the reveal and first look at the third film in the Tron franchise, Tron: Ares.

Jeff Bridges once again returns to the series set in the world inside a computer mainframe. Co-starring alongside Bridges are Evan Peters, Greta Lee, and Jared Leto as the titular Ares, a highly sophisticated AI sent to the real world for an undisclosed mission. It was also revealed that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' band Nine Inch Nails will be composing the film's soundtrack.

Tron has become one of the unlikeliest films to get a third film considering the 1982 film and 2010's Tron: Legacy had disappointing box office returns. However, we won't complain about getting more.

Tron: Ares is set to release on October 10, 2025.

The business executive helped turn Google into an internet juggernaut and became one of the most prominent women in Silicon Valley.

UPDATE: Aug. 10, 2024, 12:42 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to add four new Windows laptop picks: The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, the Lenovo Legion 9i, the Lenovo Yoga 9i (gen 9), and the HP Omnibook X.

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from 2-in-1s with new Qualcomm hardware to dual-display stunners and liquid-cooled gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2024. All of these laptops have been rigorously hands-on tested by Mashable staff members or contributors for performance and build quality, and we stand by their value (or at least think they're worth finding on sale).

SEE ALSO: The 9 best laptops of 2024, tested by Mashable staff

Read on to learn more about our favorite models, including four new picks: The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is our new favorite Windows laptop for most people (unseating the HP Spectre x360 14), and the Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9) is our new top 2-in-1 machine. The HP OmniBook X 14 is now the best mid-range Windows laptop we've tried. And finally, the Lenovo Legion 9i (Gen 9) is the gaming laptop we like most — but you should try to find it on sale.

FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

Disney's 'Moana 2' trailer expands on the lore of the original

'Snow White' teaser trailer sees Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler in the spotlight

There are a million ways for a sport to make its debut at the Olympics, but breaking probably had the most interesting one. Breaking or breakdancing made its official Paris Olympics debut on Friday with Japan's Ami Yusa taking the Gold over 16 other B-girls.

However, the B-girl that stole the show wasn't Nicka, the small Lithuanian woman wearing a durag, but 36-year-old Australian university lecturer Rachael Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun. As an academic, he research focuses on, yep, breakdancing.

Tweet may have been deleted

Despite going 0-3 against her opponents and failing to score a single point during the day's event, Raygun has become a viral hit and much-needed source of memes in the backdrop of ridiculous culture war shenanigans on Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter).

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

For her part though, Gunn has committed to being herself despite the virality. In an interview with the Guardian, the breaker told the outlet "I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage."

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 10 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 10

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, August 10, 2024:

AcrossBerkeley school, for short

• The answer is Cal.

Erin Brockovich has one in the movie "Erin Brockovich"

• The answer is Cameo.

"Whoops, I forgot about that"

• The answer is Oh right.

Longtime comic strip with anthropomorphic animals, with "The"

• The answer is Farside.

Disc for disc golf

• The answer is Frisbee.

Narcissist's problem

• The answer is Ego.

On the ___ (running away from capture)

• The answer is Lam.

Stimpy's cartoon pal

• The answer is Ren.

Stammering syllables

• The answer is ERs.

DownFare eaten by scavengers

• The answer is Carrion.

Not quite right

• The answer is Amiss.

Clear to read, as handwriting

• The answer is Legible.

Listing on a credit card statement

• The answer is Charge.

"My goodness!"

• The answer is Oh dear.

Hoped-for outcome of a job interview

• The answer is Offer.

Abounds (with)

• The answer is Teems.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Black holes are misunderstood.

They're almost inconceivably dense objects, which grants them immense gravitational power. (If Earth was hypothetically crushed into a black hole, it would be under an inch across.) Not even light can escape, if it falls in. But black holes aren't incessantly sucking up everything in space like a vacuum cleaner (if so, we'd likely be in one). Things have to pass nearby to be affected. The black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, for example, isn't eating much.

Yet 23 million light-years from us, the colossal black hole at the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 4258 is ravenously eating. The powerful James Webb Space Telescope snapped an image of this galactic event, which you see below.

"At its heart, as in most spiral galaxies, is a supermassive black hole, but this one is particularly active," the European Space Agency, which built the telescope with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Although black holes themselves don't emit light, the blazing hot material around them does. Most stuff in a black hole's orbit gets shredded apart and spins rapidly around the black hole, forming a super-hot, donut-like "accretion disk." As this cosmic dust and gas relentlessly spins around, it shoots light and energy into space. Importantly, some of this cosmic material can also rapidly plummet down into the black hole, where it travels at extreme speeds, heating up and producing glowing light.

That's the vivid glow you see at the center of the spiral galaxy below. And amid the light, you can see innumerable little pinpoints of light, each a distant star.

Clearly, this supermassive black hole is ingesting lots of cosmic cuisine. But once this glowing material passes the final boundary between space and the black hole, called the "event horizon," no more light is emitted. It's passed the point of no return.

The core of galaxy NGC 4258 is generating bright vivid light as material falls into the central supermassive black hole. Credit: ESA Webb / NASA / CSA / J. Glenn Tweet may have been deleted

Also clearly visible in the galaxy, an object also known as "Messier 106," are two sprawling green outflows, which are made of hot gas. "They are likely caused by outflowing material produced by the violent churning of gas around the black hole, creating a phenomenon analogous to a wave crashing up out of the ocean when it hits a rock near the shore," the space agency explained.

The spiraling reddish-orange regions are similar to the dust and star-filled spirals of our own Milky Way galaxy. Out here, our sun and solar system lie far from the galactic center on one of the Milky Way arms. "We live in the suburbs of our galaxy," explains NASA.

The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. But it's also peering at intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and likely will for decades to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. As described above, the telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable in 2021.

Already, astronomers have successfully found intriguing chemical reactions on a planet 700 light-years away, and have started looking at one of the most anticipated places in the cosmos: the rocky, Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST solar system.

Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of stars in the galaxy are not sun clones but smaller orbs of gas and plasma known as red dwarfs, about half the size of Earth's star. 

Astronomers have had their sights set on these stars as tantalizing places to look for habitable worlds for a while now. Not only are they the most populous stars, but their planets are easier to study from a practical standpoint. Current atmosphere-detecting methods work best when planets orbit fairly close to their stars in space. Red dwarf stars' relatively cooler temperatures present an opportunity for worlds to be closer without getting fried. 

Despite red dwarfs' potential, no one knows for sure whether their worlds can have atmospheres, or what chemicals could be within their air. 

Scientists will soon begin to answer those questions with the James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts. A new large-scale program will budget about 500 hours for observing rocky exoplanets orbiting small red stars, specifically to search for atmospheres. 

Though the survey is designated for Webb's fourth research cycle, which starts next July, observations may begin sooner, said Néstor Espinoza, an astronomer heading the program's implementation team. 

"This is one of those high-risk, high-reward programs," he told Mashable. "Imagine that for all of the targets, we detect atmospheres. Then you answer the question, 'Yes, atmospheres are very common around these stars. That means maybe life can emerge.' On the other hand, if you found out that none of them have atmospheres, that would be pretty sad, but also pretty interesting. It would mean that our planetary system is actually really, really special."

SEE ALSO: The strange new worlds scientists have discovered this year Many exoplanet scientists believe if life exists on other worlds, humanity will likely find it first on a rocky world orbiting a red dwarf star. Credit: NASA / JPL / Ames Research Center / Daniel Rutter illustration

Most astronomers agree that detecting atmospheres is crucial in the quest for habitable worlds. NASA has playfully called Earth's own atmosphere its "security blanket": Without it, the type of life flourishing here wouldn't exist. This cocoon holds oxygen in the air and filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, all while keeping our world warm. Furthermore, it creates pressure that allows liquid water to pool on the surface.

Scientists have found signs of atmospheres surrounding many of the 5,700 exoplanets discovered so far, but all of them have been around gas giant planets, like Jupiter, with air mostly made of hydrogen. The hunt for a more terrestrial world swaddled in a protective atmosphere has so far eluded astronomers, though Webb has recently helped scientists find some reasonable bets, such as 55 Cancri e, GJ 486 b, and LHS 1140 b.

Jennifer Lotz, who directs Webb and Hubble's operations at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, recently decided to initiate the rocky exoplanet survey using the director's discretionary time, in the same way revolutionary science campaigns like the Hubble deep field images came to fruition. In addition to Webb's work, the new survey will include about 250 orbits of ultraviolet observations by the Hubble telescope to help characterize the red dwarf stars' activity. 

In addition to Webb, the new survey will include about 250 orbits of ultraviolet observations by the Hubble telescope. Credit: Adrian Mann / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images illustration

Hubble will play a pivotal role in revealing whether one of these terrestrial worlds could even hold onto an atmosphere so close to a star that's constantly bombarding it with radiation.

"It's a beautiful message to put out there," Espinoza said. "People think Webb is the successor to Hubble, but that's not really true. They complement each other. It's kind of the perfect dream team to do this job." 

"It's kind of the perfect dream team to do this job." Secondary eclipse technique

Since Webb opened for business, researchers have frequently used a technique called transmission spectroscopy to study exoplanets. When these worlds cross in front of their host star, starlight gets filtered through their atmospheres. Molecules within the atmosphere absorb certain light wavelengths, or colors, so by splitting the light into its basic parts — like a rainbow — astronomers can detect what light segments are missing to discern the molecular makeup of an atmosphere.

But that method has had its drawbacks. If the starlight were completely uniform, that would be one thing, but red dwarf stars, also known as M dwarfs, can get stellar spots just like the sun, causing variability in the signals. This problem, called stellar contamination, has recently led Webb scientists to embrace another technique, known as secondary eclipse observations. 

Secondary eclipse spectroscopy, shown in the diagram above, eliminates the so-called 'stellar contamination' problem. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / Dani Player / Andi James / Greg Bacon diagram

With secondary eclipses, it's a game of hide-and-seek. Scientists measure the signals of the red dwarf and planet when the planet is at the star's side. Then, when the planet's orbit takes the world behind the star, scientists collect the star's light signal alone. By subtracting the star from the total, the researchers can then isolate the light coming from just the planet. Teams will use a particular wavelength filter that can detect carbon dioxide, thought to be a likely atmospheric ingredient.

Scientists will also take thermal measurements to get an early sense of whether an atmosphere could be present. If the temperature is lower than expected, it's a strong indication that a thick atmosphere is distributing energy from the planet's dayside — the hemisphere facing the star — to the nightside. 

Webb's Survey of Rocky Worlds

The new campaign will allow scientists to survey 10 to 20 rocky worlds, with an emphasis on planets between 200 and 450 Kelvin. For comparison, Earth is 288 Kelvin, or an average 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of the targets will be less than twice the size of Earth. The Space Telescope Science Institute will put out a call for advisers to help determine the target list.

Astronomers discovered the TRAPPIST-1 system, a family of tightly packed planets swarming a red dwarf star, about seven years ago. Credit: Mark Garlick / Science Photo Library / Getty Images illustration

For Kevin Stevenson, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the wishlist would include GJ 486 b, a world he has previously studied, and LTT 1445 A b, one of the nearest strong cases for having air. He believes the Webb campaign will advance humans' understanding of rocky worlds by a decade. 

"This survey program will be the next major step towards answering the question, 'Are we alone?'" Stevenson said in an email. "Without an atmosphere, it’s hard to see how life, at least as we know it, can survive on a planet." 

"This survey program will be the next major step towards answering the question, 'Are we alone?'"

If most M-dwarf-orbiting planets turn out not to have an atmosphere, then a future instrument, the Habitable Worlds Observatory, becomes all the more important in the search for life beyond this solar system, he said. The Hubble-esque telescope is expected to focus on terrestrial worlds orbiting sun-like stars. 

But a breakthrough could have a huge impact on how Webb and other flagship observatories are used going forward, said Sarah Moran, an exoplanet scientist at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

"If the program is able to conclusively determine that one of these rocky worlds around an M dwarf star has an atmosphere, it could really set the stage not only for the rest of JWST's science operating lifetime," she said in an email, "but also maybe that of the next great observatory."

Somewhere in the galaxy, an advanced alien civilization might harness energy from its star.

And NASA wants to know if it could detect this activity.

The space agency has some powerful telescopes — and it's building more. As scientists increasingly peer at other rocky, Earth-like worlds, they evaluated whether it's possible to pick up signs of widespread solar farms on such distant planets. After all, an extraterrestrial society will need power, and a sun-like star provides nearly inexhaustible energy for billions of years. Human civilization, for example, has advanced from largely burning wood to using coal, and now increasingly uses modernized energy sources like solar power.

"We propose it's a natural technological evolution that an advanced civilization could make," Ravi Kopparapu, a NASA planetary scientist who led the research published in the Astrophysical Journal, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Solar panels — made from silicon, which is abundant in the universe — are highly reflective. This makes vast solar arrays a potentially attractive target for NASA, which seeks to identify if life, whether microbial or complex, might exist on planets beyond our solar system (called exoplanets).

The researchers asked whether a large space telescope, like the developing Habitable Worlds Observatory, would be able to detect such solar farms on a world as far as some 30 light-years away (which is many trillions of miles but still relatively close-by — the Milky Way is around 100,000 light-years across). Dubbed the "super-Hubble," the Habitable Worlds Observatory would pack a mirror some six meters (nearly 20 feet) across; the legendary Hubble telescope has a mirror 2.4 meters (7.8 feet) across.

On Earth, the researchers estimate humanity could meet all its energy needs (with energy storage, of course) by covering around two and a half percent of the surface with solar panels. And if the population hypothetically ballooned to 30 billion, this would mean nine percent of land cover. But how much of the surface of a distant exoplanet might need to be blanketed in these reflective arrays to be detectable? The team ran simulations of how a "super-Hubble" could view these far-off solar panel technosignatures, and found a whopping 23 percent of an Earth-like world's surface would need coverage.

"That's huge," Kopparapu said.

And it's perhaps an unlikely scenario from our species' point of view — though as noted below, perhaps not so for another species. What's more, another civilization simply might not need to generate copious amounts of energy, making sprawling energy-creating solar farms or structures unnecessary. Another civilization could have highly efficient technologies, or a low population. This would make widespread solar panel coverage unlikely.

"A civilization may not need as much energy as we think," Kopparapu said.

A conceptual graphic of what the Habitable Worlds Observatory may look like as it peers into the cosmos. Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio An artist's conception of an exoplanet harboring a technologically advanced civilization. Credit: NASA / Jay Freidlander

Yet it's conceivable that an intelligent species on a rocky desert world like Mars may choose to cover a significant swath of its landmass with solar panels. It could view that as the best renewable energy option, especially on a world that might lack much hydroelectric generation. Or it could have reasons we can't imagine.

"We can't judge what a civilization's motives are," Kopparapu noted.

"We can't judge what a civilization's motives are."

Beyond solar panels, some scientists have for decades mused about the possibility of megastructures that surround a star, harnessing immense amounts of stellar energy. Of course, these behemoth energy harvesters, called Dyson Spheres, might not be the most pragmatic approach for the technologically advanced.

"Surely a society that can place enormous structures in space would be able to access nuclear fusion or other space-efficient methods of generating power," Vincent Kofman, a NASA research scientist who also worked on this technosignature study, noted in an agency statement. (Humanity is on the hunt to make nuclear fusion energy — though realizing this technology is a long, long way off.)

A conception of the TRAPPIST-1 solar system, which contains seven rocky worlds, located some 40 light-years from Earth. Some could be habitable. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Future telescopes, like the Habitable Worlds Observatory, will sleuth for a number of possible signs of life — and research like this informs scientists of what they might look for. They'll look for signs of pollution, atmospheric ingredients produced by life, and perhaps other forms of technology. Though it currently appears that detecting solar panels is implausible, it can't be ruled out. In the search for potential civilizations — which may be quite rare in any galaxy or maybe not exist — almost anything is possible.

Who knows what the large, powerful instruments will detect, many light-years away.

"They might even find city lights," Kopparapu said.

Over the last few years, I’ve tried a lot of skincare products. While I loved the viral Solawave red light therapy wand, I pride myself in having a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to skincare products and devices, but the NuFACE Trinity+ had me excited (and nervous) to put this celeb-favorite to the test. I’ve dabbled in microcurrent devices in the past, but trying something is a lot different than sticking with something over the long term. 

And when the thing you’re trying is almost $400? I was obviously skeptical. 

How does the NuFACE work? 

The NuFACE Trinity+ is an FDA-cleared facial toning device that uses microcurrent technology to help “lift, contour, and tighten” the face, giving a more toned and contoured look — at least according to NuFace’s website. The device works by emitting a low-level electrical wave that’s supposed to mimic the body’s bio-electrical field to help smooth and strengthen facial muscles, stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even promote lymphatic drainage. 

And according to research, it actually works pretty well. Not only do fans of the NuFACE show jaw-dropping before and after results on TikTok, but one study found that microcurrent technology used for 20 minutes for 30 consecutive sessions was actually effective at reducing wrinkles around the forehead area.

With three different levels of intensity, the Trinity+ also features a “boost” button that increases the intensity of the microcurrent whenever you want to give an area some extra love. The device also adds Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to connect to the NuFACE app and unlock exclusive tutorials, custom reminders, and a “selfie tracker” to monitor results. The sturdy plastic device is also customizable, allowing users to pop off the metal top and replace it with additional attachments like NuFace’s red light therapy attachment or the lip and eye area attachment. 

The NuFACE Trinity+ comes with the microcurrent attachment, but others are available as a separate purchase. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Using the NuFACE for the first time 

Not gonna lie, waiting for the NuFACE Trinity+ to charge felt like torture. I’d been eager to try the device after first seeing it on Instagram back in 2019, and I wanted it to be worth the hype. Once it was ready, I watched a few tutorials on the NuFace website and jumped right in.

NuFACE recommends cleaning your face first with an oil-free cleanser, drying your skin thoroughly, then applying either their Aqua Gel or Silk Crème Activator in a thick, “mask-like” layer to the area you’re going to treat. After that, it’s time to turn on the device, set it to your desired intensity, and place it against your skin before gliding it upward with light to medium pressure.

I started with NuFACE’s five-minute facial tutorial, which recommended starting with your neck and gradually moving the device upward in separate strokes before repeating the process over the desired area three times. All in all, it took me a little longer than five minutes to complete, and — aside from a slight tingling sensation in certain areas — it was pretty much painless.

I kinda hated the NuFACE at first

While I noticed a slight improvement in the tightness of my skin, especially below my cheeks, I didn’t notice a massive difference after my first NuFACE treatment. My face did feel a little sore afterward, especially around my cheeks and jawline, and everything just felt a little off for the next hour or so. I kept using the device daily — NuFACE recommends using it five days a week for the first two months, then switching to two to three days for maintenance — but the odd sensations convinced me to stop using the device after a few days.

A couple of weeks later, I decided to give the NuFACE one more try. I’d read some reviews from users who didn’t use the NuFACE on their necks (something the company recommends if you have any thyroid issues), and — while I haven’t had any thyroid problems in the past — I wanted to see if it made a difference, and it absolutely did. 

SEE ALSO: TheraFace PRO is the ultimate 'it girl' skincare tool

I cautiously restarted my routine, ready to toss the NuFACE if it caused any more issues, and started noticing slight improvements to my skin’s elasticity the longer I used it. Everything felt a little more taut, my face looked more defined, and — while my cheekbones still felt a bit sore after using the device — a quick trip to Google gave me a surprising answer. As it turns out, research shows that microcurrent technology can be used to help reduce sinus pain, and the FDA had even approved the use of another microcurrent device for the treatment of sinus congestion — something I’d struggled with for years. Obviously, I’m not a doctor, nor can I conclusively say that the NuFACE produced the same results as an FDA-approved device. However, my lack of sinus headaches was definitely a nice perk, regardless of whether they were eliminated by the NuFACE or placebo effect.

The NuFACE won me over

Here’s the thing, I actually like the NuFACE. I’ve had the device for a few months now, and I have definitely noticed an improvement in my face when I’m using it. I’m a little less puffy, my cheeks are more defined, and I like the idea of giving my facial muscles a mini workout a few times a week. 

That being said, I’m on the fence about whether or not it’s worth the $395 price tag. On the upside, it worked. A single charge lasted for a surprisingly long time, it was easy to use, and I felt like it did more to lift and tighten my face compared to other microcurrent devices I’d tried in the past. 

On the other hand, I had some issues. I didn’t love using either of the activator products, and I quickly found out that aloe vera was a much more affordable alternative. Plus, the NuFACE companion app didn’t feel super useful, and I struggled with the Bluetooth connectivity feature on the NuFACE Trinity+ so much that I stopped using the app entirely. And while I eventually sorted out my initial problems with the device, I haven’t really kept up with using the device long-term. I’ll break it out for a few days when I’m feeling puffy or insecure, and it does make a difference, but — like going to the gym — your results fade without consistency. 

Is the NuFACE worth it?

For some people, the NuFACE might be worth the investment, especially if you’re a diehard skincare aficionado who has mastered the art of sticking to a routine or you’re tired of splurging on microcurrent facials. However, if you’re more into casual skincare, it might not be the right device for you. Based on my experience, I’d also recommend talking to your doctor or dermatologist before trying the NuFace if you have any sinus or thyroid issues because, unlike the phrase goes, beauty should not be pain.

And if you’re on the fence like I was, you can always opt for the NuFACE Mini instead. It’s smaller, cheaper, and lacks the option to swap out different attachments. And, considering the additional attachments are $160 each, that’s not the worst idea for beauty fans on a budget. 

All in all, I like the NuFACE Trinity+, and I’ll probably keep using it occasionally. I can definitely see why it’s a holy grail product for some people, and — while I don’t think it’s one of mine — it might be one of yours.

NuFACE Trinity+ $395.00 at Dermstore
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TL;DR: Learn how to use ChatGPT, Gemini, DALL-E, and more AI tools with this $24.97 (reg. $790) online learning bundle on sale.

You deserve a personal assistant, but unless you’re Elon Musk, you probably can’t afford one. AI might just be the next best thing. It can help you write a good resume, brainstorm ideas for your blog, or generate logos for your business, all for next to nothing or free.

Not sure how to use AI or where to start? These online courses are an excellent place to begin, and they’re on sale for $24.97 (reg. $790) for a limited time.

Transform your workflow with new tips and tricks

You might start by learning ChatGPT, one of the most widely used AI chatbots on the web. GPT-3.5 is the free version you can access online, like through your web browser. You’ll interact with it just like you would Google. Try asking it for help with your resume (though it can’t get you a coffee). 

The course shows you techniques for using the chatbot, like how to phrase your prompt to get the best responses. You’ll quickly learn that AI tools have limitations; for example, no matter how often you ask Gemini (Google’s AI) not to do something, it may do it anyway (we’re speaking from experience here). 

Generating logos with AI

Your instructor, Eduonix Learning Solutions, also covers generating AI images and logos with DALL-E. Instead of having to hire a designer or try your hand at creating your own, you could see what AI comes up with for your business. You might be surprised with how much you like its creation.

With tools for both writing and graphics, you could get assistance for creating whole articles, social media posts, or presentations. However, the key word here is assistance — everything AI-generated should go past a human editor.

Make your dream AI personal assistant come to life with this ChatGPT, Gemini, and DALL-E training bundle, only on sale for $24.97 (reg. $790) for a little while longer.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions The 2024 Complete ChatGPT & Gemini AI Advanced E-Degree $24.97 at The Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: If you need high-quality scans anywhere, anytime, get SwiftScan VIP. A lifetime subscription to this iOS and Android compatible OCR scanner is only $59.99. 

The back-to-school season is coming up fast, but there's still plenty of time to prepare. If you're still cleaning the papers out of your desk, help this year go differently by getting a scanner that makes short work of digitizing your notes, documents, and even pages from books. 

SwiftScan is a simple scanner for iOS or Android devices that produces high-quality scans in seconds. Normally, a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP would be $199, but you can get one on sale for $59.99. 

How is SwiftScan different from other scanners?

In the grand colosseum of scanners and scanner apps, SwiftScan may come out on top for a few reasons. First, if you're comparing SwiftScan to a desktop scanner, the app is a great find on price alone. Sure, it can't print your scans like a physical scanner could, but it also doesn't take any desk space and doesn't require expensive ink to access half its functions. 

When it comes to scanning capabilities, the app captures premium quality scans starting at 200 dpi, and it even automatically enhances scan quality with color filters and auto-optimization. Trembly hands? There's blur reduction. Once you've scanned your documents, you can save them as a PDF or JPEG. The app also lets you do multi-page scans. Combine that with the OCR capabilities, and you can turn a few pages of your textbook into a scan you can search. You can even annotate your documents, add signatures, redact text, or reorder pages. 

Don't worry. All those documents don't need to take up your phone's limited memory. SwiftScan integrates with cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox, so you can save or scare your scans seamlessly. Kicking it old school? This scanner can even send a fax. 

Save 70 percent

Get a scanner that doesn't take up any extra room in your office or dorm. 

Get a Lifetime Subscription to SwiftScan VIP for $59.99. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $59.99 at The Mashable Shop
$199.99 Save $140.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get the KeySmart® AirFlex 5-key organizer with an AirTag slot for $14.99 to keep your keys tidy and trackable.

Misplaced keys are a sometimes daily hassle, but this product offers a simple solution. With room for five keys and a dedicated slot for your Apple AirTag, this sleek organizer keeps everything neat and easily accessible. Whether you're heading to the gym or exploring the city, your keys stay secure and trackable. For a limited time, you can get the KeySmart® Air 5-Key and Apple AirTag Organizer on sale for $14.99 (reg. $19).

The KeySmart AirFlex has a minimalistic design that's crafted from durable materials and won't weigh you down. It's made of soft-touch silicone and is water-resistant (so you don't have to worry about your AirTag getting wet in the rain). You can also use it with MultiTool or SafeBlade.

Ideal for the on-the-go urbanite, this organizer brings order to your chaotic key collection. When you're running around from place to place, the KeySmart AirFlex is the perfect companion to keep you on track.

This clever organizer combines function and style to make your daily routine smoother! 

Score the KeySmart® AirFlex 5-key organizer with an AirTag slot on sale for 25% off at $14.99 for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® Air 5-Key & Apple AirTag Organizer $14.99 at The Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Get 1TB of lifetime cloud storage with FolderFort for $69.99 and secure your family's digital memories.

Keeping track of all your photos, videos, and important documents can be a real headache, between your phone, computer, and your other devices.

That’s where FolderFort comes in with its 1TB Storage Pro Plan, offering lifetime access to a massive amount of secure cloud storage for $69.99, great for individuals and families who need a reliable place to store their growing digital collections.

With 1TB of storage, you can hold about 200,000 photos, millions of text documents, or hundreds of hours of video. This means you’ll have plenty of space to keep all your precious memories and important files in one secure location, unlike many other restrictive cloud storage subscriptions like Google Drive or Dropbox. Whether it's family photos, videos, or work documents, FolderFort makes sure they’re protected and easily accessible.

With encryption and BackBlaze security features, your data is safe and sound. Plus, the user-friendly interface and cross-platform accessibility make it easy for everyone in your family to access and share files, no matter what device they’re using.

And if your storage needs grow — like when your sister has a baby or your cousin gets a new dog — FolderFort offers scalable options to upgrade your plan anytime. You’ll always have the space you need for your ever-expanding digital life.

Until September 3, get a lifetime subscription to 1TB of FolderFort Cloud Storage on sale for $69.99 (reg. $251).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 1TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $69.99 at The Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Beginners can fly comfortably with the 4K Dual-Camera Drone with built-in obstacle avoidance and adaptive LEDs to help you fly at night, on sale now for $64.97 (reg. $119.99). 

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 4K Dual-Camera Drone for Beginners with Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance $64.97 at The Mashable Shop
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Whether you're getting into nature photography or just want to explore the trails from above, your first impulse when drone shopping may be to go for the biggest, fanciest model with all the bells and whistles. While that might get you an awesome machine, you might end up sharing it with a tree. 

When you're just learning how to fly quadcopters, it's a good idea to go for a simple, reliable drone that can help you learn while also giving you the opportunity for some seriously cool pictures and videos. The 4K Dual-Camera Drone is a beginner-friendly quadcopter with intelligent obstacle avoidance, and it's also on sale for $64.97 — a 45% discount. 

Save on a beginner-friendly drone

This drone goes easy on beginners while still offering a lot to experienced flyers. Look ahead to the horizon or stare straight down from 200m in the air. This 4K Dual-Camera Drone is equipped with an HD 4K front camera that supports a 90-degree remote control angle and a 120-degree wide-angle bottom camera, so you have quite a few viewing options from above. Both cameras stream directly to your phone while it's connected to the drone controller. You can even fly at night and spot your drone in the dark with the built-in LED lights that adjust according to their environment. 

Take advantage of Intelligent functions like 360-degree flip, fixed-point flight, and gravity control to take your flight beyond simple maneuvers. Inexperienced pilots, take some comfort that the three-way obstacle avoidance system helps keep you from an untimely landing. Speaking of landings, there's even a one-key start and stop feature that makes the most stressful parts of the flight a breeze. 

Prepare for takeoff

No flight school is required to enjoy your time in the sky with this beginner-friendly 4K camera drone. Get the 4K Dual-Camera Quadcopter Drone for Beginners for only $64.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.