Mashable

It's the New Moon tonight, so there's not anything for us to see in the sky. This also means its the start of a new lunar cycle.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Oct. 21, the moon phase is New Moon. This means that 0% of the moon will be lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

When you hold the newest Apple tablet in your hand, you immediately know it's unlike any device you've ever tested. That is, unless you already have the M4 model from last year, in which case you already had that experience a year ago.

Like its predecessor, the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is astonishingly light at just 0.98 pounds. It's a mere 5.3mm thin. To put that in perspective, that's even thinner than the newly released iPhone Air that reviewers have been lusting after (we called it the sexiest phone ever made in our recent review). It's even thinner than the iPad Air, which we named the best tablet for most people. While it looks a lot like the previous model, that's a good thing in this reviewer's opinion, and the new silicon gives you even more processing power.

Now, Apple only gave us a few days with this device before its Oct. 22 release, so consider this a review in progress. Check back for a more in-depth M5 iPad Pro review coming soon.

Apple iPad Pro 2025 (11-inch, M5): By the numbers Liquid Glass looks incredible on the OLED display. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The iPad Pro comes in silver and space black in both an 11-inch and 13-inch model, with starting prices of $999 and $1,299. As per usual, you can choose WiFi only or WiFi and cellular, if you want to add a cellular plan to your new device. I've been testing a specced-out version with 1TB of storage and an eSIM card, courtesy of Apple. I'm sharing the specs of the base 11-inch model.

• Display: Ultra-Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED with HDR capabilities)

• Memory: 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

• Dimensions: 9.83” x 6.99” x 0.21”

• Weight: 0.98 pounds (444 grams)

• Ports: Thunderbolt/USB-4

• Brightness: 1,000 nits (1,600 nits with HDR content)

• Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz

• Touch ID: Yes

• Face ID: Yes

And we have to talk about the silicon, of course. While the M5 chip is new, it has the same architecture as the M4 — a 9-core CPU (three performance cores, six efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU.

Pro tip: Go with the midnight black version and invest in a microfiber cloths and cleaning wipes for fingerprint smudges.

The M5 iPad Pro design and Liquid Glass: A victory lap for Apple Thinner than you think. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

To use a racing metaphor, following the debut of iPadOS 26 and Liquid Glass, the M5 iPad Pro is like a victory lap for Apple.

While it has the same overall design as the previous iPad Pro, that's only because the previous design was approaching perfection. You might think I'm overselling it, but hot damn, when you hold this device in your hands, you feel like you're living in the future. We may not have flying cars yet, but this is a beautiful consolation prize. As soon as you can fold it up and put it in your pocket, we'll have reached straight-out-of-science-fiction levels of design.

On top of that, Apple recently introduced iPadOS 26, which brings the translucent, glass-like aesthetic of Liquid Glass to the iPad. In my iPad OS 26 review, I wrote that "iPadOS 26 doesn't just put a futuristic new face on your tablet," but also brings "critical new features like multitasking and windowing that make your iPad more like a laptop." Combine the iPad Pro design with Liquid Glass, and you get something truly special.

Left: iPadOS 26 brings Liquid Glass and windowing to your iPad. Credit: Apple Right: Multitasking is easier in iPadOS 26. Credit: Apple

Peak design is what Apple is known for, and the iPad Pro proves Apple hasn't totally lost its design chops in the post-Jobs era. It's thinner than both the iPad Air and iPhone Air, yet somehow more powerful, too.

So, while everything I've said was also true of the M4 iPad Pro (Mashable's former tech editor Kimberly Gedeon also raved about the design in her M4 iPad Pro review last year), combine all that with the OLED, HDR-capable display and thoughtful accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, and you get a truly premium experience.

Credit: Joe Maldonado

Honestly, I think Apple should put the iPad team in charge of the iPhone, as it would be nice to get a shakeup in the mobile category, where Apple is at risk of falling behind rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi.

The M5 iPad Pro: Performance for those who need it

If you use a tablet for browsing the web, checking emails, playing The Sims, and your daily Wordle, then you don't need the iPad Pro. It's a device for professional artists, filmmakers, creators, and AI power users. The new M5 chip delivers a few key (though iterative) improvements over the M4.

Apple says the new M5 comes with purpose-built Neural Accelerators, which will help power Apple Intelligence features and any models you're running on device rather than online.

The M5 iPad Pro has a Geekbench score that ranges between 16,200 and 16,400, putting it in the top eight percent of laptops in our testing database. Of course, it's not a laptop, and all the laptops that do outperform it are overpowered gaming laptops that cost two, three, or four times as much. Like the M4 chip, it offers hard-to-believe power efficiency, resulting in a lengthy battery life.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The iPad Pro's Geekbench score also puts its closest competitors in the tablet space to shame. It trounces the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, which scored 13,469, and the iPad Air powered by the M3 chip, which scored a measly 10,498.

iPad OS 26 and Liquid Glass let you use the M5 chip to the fullest. Now that the iPad offers windowing (the ability to resize, drag, minimize, and access control menus for iPad apps and widgets), you can truly multitask on the iPad just like you would on a laptop. That makes it a lot easier to work on the device, though you'll need the $299 Apple Magic Keyboard to make the most of it.

In my initial testing, this tablet's been able to handle large video files and programs like Adobe Premiere Pro without breaking a sweat, which is no surprise based on its Geekbench scores.

The OLED display remains drool-worthy The new iPad Pro has the same OLED display as the M4 iPad Pro, pictured here. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I could sing the praises of the Ultra Retina XDR display all day, but my predecessor Gedeon already did that. But in the same way that the unchanged design still impresses us a year later, the Tandem OLED display has the same effect. Colorful HDR footage looks absolutely gorgeous, and the crispiness of the details is so real that it's almost unreal.

So, sure, it's the same as last year's model, but when it looks this good, there's not much to complain about.

Even casual users will be able to marvel at the resolution, clarity, colors, and deep blacks. But only Pro-level users will be able to truly appreciate the subtleties of the HDR display. High-dynamic range video provides the best possible color, contrast, and subtle details, but if you don't know what HDR video is, if you've never used Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve, or if you aren't trying to grow your YouTube channel, then you may not really need the iPad Pro.

So, who is the iPad Pro for? Hint: It's in the name. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Look, you don't have to be a Pro user to enjoy the iPad Pro. I've been comparing it to the iPad Air, which I recently re-tested for Mashable, and while it's only slightly thinner and a touch lighter, that 0.8mm really does make a difference, as does the OLED display.

So, if you're a tech enthusiast with money to burn and you simply want the newest and coolest products, then by all means, go for it. You truly won't regret it. But for the average user, it's overkill.

That being said, if you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job.

A quick word on the cameras, updated Games app, and other features Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Apple is keen for users to try out the new Games and Arcade experience on iPadOS 26 and the iPad Pro, and I really tried to get into it. But the truth is, the types of games that are fun to play on the iPad — cozy games, simulators, word puzzles, and the like — simply don't need the M5 chip or an OLED display.

Likewise, the iPad Pro has a decent camera on the front and back:

• Primary camera: 12MP Wide camera

• Front camera: 12MP Center Stage selfie camera

It can even record 4K video at 60 frames per second. However, tablets have always been a poor form factor for photography. The only real use case for me is video calling, which the iPad Pro can do very well.

Finally, I should note that I had a smooth experience with the eSIM card, and the ability to use the phone and messages app on your tablet is a nice perk. (Though, my eSIM card came pre-installed, and it's not always painless for the average person to set up an eSIM card.) I could see some advantages to essentially having your tablet act as a second cell phone line, but I think most people will opt for the WiFi-only version. After all, you can always use your iPhone as a hotspot if you're not in WiFi range.

The final word: Is the M5 iPad Pro worth the upgrade? Yes and no. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The new Apple tablet is absolutely worth the investment, at least, according to our initial tests. If we encounter any unexpected problems, we'll share them in a future update to this iPad Pro review.

But we're also living in the era of iterative improvements, where companies put out new models on an annual basis, even when they probably shouldn't. So I'm going to say something that I'm frankly getting really tired of saying: The new iPad isn't an instant-upgrade if you already have last year's model. You could say the same about virtually any smartwatch, smartphone, fitness tracker, tablet, or laptop released in the past year — and I have. (To offset the cost, look into Apple's trade-in program.)

Still, the design, the display, and the performance are unbeatable in the tablet space.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) $984 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Apple.com Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) $1,279 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Apple.com See It at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch $298 at Walmart
  Shop Now

Correction: A previous version of this review stated that the iPad Pro did not have Face ID, but it does. The article has been updated to reflect that fact.

Donald Trump's response to millions of people protesting against him over the weekend wasn't exactly mature, with the president posting an AI video of himself wearing a crown while raining down poop on protesters from a fighter jet (yes, you read that sentence correctly).

In the Late Show video above Stephen Colbert plays the clip to loud boos from the audience, before sharing his blunt reaction.

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart assesses whether or not Trump qualifies as a 'king'

"There it is: King Trump crapping on America. Which is insane, though I will grant, factually accurate," says Colbert. "This video was vile and violent and only proves the point of the 'No Kings' march even more. What decent democratic leader would ever post a video of themselves sh**ing on peaceful protesters? He is a one-man hate march."

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2024-25 Europa League online for free

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)

• UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi finals with 30-day free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $9.99: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Booster Bundle is $55 at TCGplayer, compared to $64.99 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Destined Rivals Booster Bundle $55 at TCGPlayer
$64.99 Save $9.99   Shop Now

Destined Rivals feels like a distant memory with Mega Evolution out in the wild and Phantasmal Flames preorders going in and out of stock, but it's not a set to be slept on. The Booster Bundle is currently $55 on TCGplayer, a full $9.99 cheaper than Amazon's current price, which equates to a couple of extra booster packs if you find the right deal.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Destined Rivals focuses on Generation Two's protagonist Ethan and Generation One and Two's Team Rocket. It continues the trainer Pokémon theme of Journey Together and is the first Team Rocket focused set in the modern era. It's a big deal and the artwork in this set is ridiculously good. I'm looking at you Ethan's Typhlosion IR.

Most valuable Destined Rivals Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Destined Rivals has some banger chase cards to snatch up, with the highlights including Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR and Ethan's Ho-Oh ex SIR. Buying just these two cards separately in mint condition will run you the best part of $800, but that's only three to four booster boxes on a good day. It soon adds up opening sealed products and there's no guarantee of pulling the chase cards below.

If you want the big ticket Pokémon TCG cards, I'd recommend just buying them to save your cash:

1. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 231/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $495.99
   Market price: $581.93
   Most recent sale: $504.66

2. Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 232/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $289.99
   Market price: $296
   Most recent sale: $291.01

3. Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 230/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $220.03
   Market price: $242.87
   Most recent sale: $221.30

4. Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 229/182

   Near Mint Holofoil: $145.93
   Market price: $153.59
   Most recent sale: $149.84

One of the coolest things about owning a Tesla is the ability to get all sorts of info about your car through a mobile app.

Now, the auto company has taken it to another level with a new Maintenance tab (via Teslarati), that shows you exactly what your car needs replaced, fixed, or adjusted in the near future.

Somewhat hidden in the Tesla iOS app (Android app still doesn't have this option) under Service - Request Service - Maintenance, the new section tells you when your car is due for stuff like tire rotation, cabin air filter replacement, or wiper blades replacement. Even better, the app tells you the cost for each item (if you buy it at an official Tesla repair shop), and if you click on each item, you'll see the estimated life left for each component.

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Some of the items, such as Windshield Camera Area Precision Cleaning, probably aren't something you ever thought of doing, let alone paying 80 bucks for it, but it's still nice to know the current status for each of these parts.

SEE ALSO: The 'affordable' Tesla is here. But is it a good deal?

If you've done maintenance at some place other than Tesla's official repair shops, these won't be accurate. Unfortunately, there's apparently no way to manually input when you've last changed your tires or had your wiper blades replaced (I've done both but none of that shows in the app).

Also, in my area I don't see the detailed breakdown of what's happening to my car as the folks in the U.S. seem to get. Hopefully Tesla will update this to work for all owners globally, and make it a little easier to access in the app. Still, the feature is a good reminder that you should take your car to the shop for basic maintenance every now and then.

SAVE $7.95: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is $59.95 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $67.94.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle $59.95 at TCGPlayer
$67.94 Save $7.99   Get Deal

The Pokémon TCG community are still going mad for Prismatic Evolutions, and there's little mystery as to why. Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames preorders are the talk of Pokétown, but this set is yet to produce a chase card that rivals the value of Umbreon ex SIR.

There's also an incredible pull to this Scarlet and Violet holiday set thanks to the inclusion of Eeveelution SIRs. Everyone is here on top of some other great SIRs such as Roaring Moon ex, Ceruledge ex, and Dragapult ex. The Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is $59.95 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $67.94. That's nearly $8 saved on in-demand booster packs.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Prismatic Evolutions is a notoriously brutal set to rip open. Thanks in part to the Pokéball and Masterball Rares, there's a lot bulking out in this set, which means Illustration Rares and Secret Illustration Rares are ridiculously hard to pull from packs.

Most valuable Prismatic Evolutions Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If I don't pull the chase cards I want from my preorder on release, I'll just watch the market and snap up the cards I want instead of pouring money into sealed product. Whilst some just like ripping open packs, I like the peace of mind of looking at the card I've been after in my Pokémon card display. Here's the top chase cards for Prismatic Evolutions and where you can buy them right now:

1. Umbreon ex - 161/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $1,185
   Market price: $1,012.77
   Most recent sale: $399

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $422
   Market price: $29.30
   Most recent sale: $427.78

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $500
   Market price: $455.44
   Most recent sale: $399.99

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $367.93
   Market price: $367.23
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $239
   Market price: $241.90
   Most recent sale: $239.99

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.65
   Market price: $198.12
   Most recent sale: $190

The pet parent contract comes with certain terms and conditions, and that includes a tolerance for omnipresent pet hair. You're also signing off on a lot of stains, paranoia about your pet's activities when you're not home, and the slim (but never zero) chance that you'll come home to an accident on the floor. The best vacuum for pets can help mitigate these problems. How do I know? Because I've spent years testing vacuums, much to my cats' annoyance.

While every pet parent needs a vacuum to quell the pet hair situation, some vacuums can take on even more pet-related responsibilities. There are robot vacuums that can avoid pet waste, robot vacuums with livestream pet cameras, and a robot vacuum that comes with its own portable carpet cleaner — now we just need Roborock to expand the Saros Z70's robotic arm capabilities to pet toy cleanup.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

So, which vacuum would be the most helpful in your household? I'm continuously testing the top robot vacuums and cordless stick vacuums in my two-cat apartment, and I'm ready to name the best vacuums for pet owners as of fall 2025.

How to choose a robot vacuum for pet hair

For a full breakdown of these features, check out my guide to everything you need to know before buying a robot vacuum.

Suction power and brush rolls

I recommend vacuums with at least 6,000 Pa suction power for effective pet hair pickup, though homes with heavy carpeting and more than two pets should consider suction power of at least 12,000 Pa. But the brush roll system is nearly just as important when choosing a vacuum for pet fur. In my testing, vacuums with dual brush rolls are far more effective.

I also recommend keeping a good cordless stick vacuum on hand — stick vacuums are just more powerful than robot vacuums in general. Shark, Dyson, and Dreame all make powerful stick vacuums with enough power to make pet hair disappear.

Automatic emptying

Pet parents should definitely opt for a self-emptying robot vacuum — so much fur being sucked up will lead to a full dustbin faster, and you won't feel like emptying it yourself every day. Even with daily usage, an auto-empty robot vacuum can last between one and three months before you need to empty the dustbin.

Mopping

If hardwood or tile is prevalent in your home, the best robot vacuum and mop combo for pet hair will be able to sanitize the floor while mopping and then wash its own mops to rinse off any lingering hair. Mopping is also much more likely to effectively wipe up other minuscule pet-related debris, like pet dander and kitty litter dust, that are too small to be inhaled by a vacuum's suction power.

Smart mapping

Some rooms or spots on the floor within those rooms get furrier than others. A smart mapping robot vacuum learns the layout of your home and can head to specific zones on command, which you can queue up right from the app. In my opinion, smart mapping is the most worthwhile robot vacuum feature, and should be a baseline even when searching for a cheap model — cleaning performance is a moot point if the vacuum can't get where it needs to go in the first place.

Small obstacle avoidance

Some advanced robot vacuums use cameras and 3D sensors to pinpoint any small roadblocks in the cleaning path in front of them. When successful, these vacuums save themselves from eating most pet toys, cords, laundry, or socks or shoes, avoid ramming into pet bowls, and even dodge pet waste.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7, were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck. I recently tested and was impressed by the Roomba Plus 505 Combo and Plus 405 Combo, which ultimately just weren't the most thorough vacuum cleaners in their price range. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). That's not super helpful for any situations past maybe scaling sliding door tracks, and its cleaning wasn't anything I haven't seen in other flagship robot vacuums.

Vacuums I'm testing soon

The next vacuums slated for at-home testing are the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller (followed by the other new Dreame robot vacuums), Roomba 705 Max Combo, Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai, and Bissell FurFinder. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for pet owners accordingly.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you know some chemistry.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Cards

• Green: Direct action

• Blue: Basketball

• Purple: Remote control

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: Playing Cards

• Green: Takes On

• Blue: NBA Teams

• Purple: Things You Can Control With Remotes

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 #863 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Playing Cards: ACES, JACKS, KINGS, QUEENS

• Takes On: ADDRESSES, DOES, HANDLES, TACKLES

• NBA Teams: BUCKS, BULLS, HORNETS, SPURS

• Things You Can Control With Remotes: DRONES, GARAGE DOORS, TELEVISIONS, WIIS

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're been through a cleanse.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 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.

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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Removing substances.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DETOX

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if like seeing bands perform.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

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.

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Banding together

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that can be found at a concert.

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 Checklist.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 21

• Opener

• Stage

• Merchandise

• Encore

• Headliner

• Checklist

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Happy Tuesday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Number (16): Everything in this space must add to 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this orange space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add to 21. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this green space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 21 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this orange space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this orange space must add to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add to 18. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand baseball statistics.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

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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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Football team names

• Green: Stats

• Blue: Nicknames

• Purple: Share a last name

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

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

• Yellow: An AFC North Player

• Green: Baseball Stats, Abbreviated

• Blue: "Big" Athlete Nicknames

• Purple: ____Ward

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: Sports Edition #393 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An AFC North Player - BENGAL, BROWN, RAVEN, STEELER

• Baseball Stats, Abbreviated- BB, ERA, SO, WHIP

• "Big" Athlete Nicknames - ARISTOTLE, DUMPER, MAC, PAPI

• ____Ward - CAM, CHARLIE, DENZEL, HINES

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025:

AcrossBone that can be "dropped"

• The answer is Jaw.

Late scientist Goodall

• The answer is Jane.

Make critical assumptions about

• The answer is Judge.

Best by a little

• The answer is One Up.

Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.

• The answer is Gods.

DownJust kind of over it

• The answer is Jaded.

Beef cattle breed

• The answer is Angus.

Shed tears

• The answer is Weep.

2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael Cera

• The answer is Juno.

Refresh, as one's memory

• The answer is Jog.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

With "No Kings" protests attracting millions of people across major U.S. cities on the weekend, Jon Stewart takes a moment on The Daily Show to assess how close Donald Trump is to actually qualifying as a king.

Donning a grey old-timey wig ("There's no difference in color," Stewart laments when putting it on) and producing a prop scroll of the Declaration of Independence, the host quickly uses examples of the president sending in "standing armies" and exciting "domestic insurrections amongst us" to assess how much of a king he is.

"Look, maybe Trump isn't an all-powerful king, the kind that can do whatever he wants, but he's undeniably king adjascent, king-esque, moving for more. He's the imitation crab of kings right now, the I can't believe it's not king," Stewart concludes. "And the ironic part about Republicans complaining that he is being dubbed a king is that in their minds, he has already surpassed that title anyway."

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

An entourage.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

POSSE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Murky.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SOOTY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An award.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PRIZE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Rain and snow.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLEET

Final Hurdle hint

Took without permission.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

STOLE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $3.01: As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle is $51.99 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $55.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle $51.99 at TCGPlayer
$55 Save $3.01   Get Deal

Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames preorders are taking over the Pokémon TCG community, but I think you should be looking at the last Scarlet and Violet expansion, Black Bolt and White Flare.

At a time where big box stores are selling sealed product over market value, it's worth knowing the secondary market value. TCGplayer isn't only keeping trainers informed, but the listings are putting Amazon to shame with the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle at $51.99 at TCGplayer. That's compared to Amazon's price of $55. It's only a saving of $3.01, but that's money that's better off in your pocket.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Booster Bundles have six packs to rip open, nice and simple. You'll need as many packs to open as you can possibly get away with. This is a massive set, thanks to every Pokémon having a Illustration Rare or Secret Illustration Rare. That means it's going to be tough to pull the chase card you're seeking.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Or you could just pass on the game of chance and just buy the card outright. Yes, the top Black Bolt and White Flare cards are mega expensive, but you'd be surprised to hear that you'll probably save money long term over ripping open sealed product. Here's the top chase cards for Black Bolt and White Flare:

1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $519.99
   Market price: $498.21
   Most recent sale: $399.99

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $422
   Market price: $29.30
   Most recent sale: $427.78

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $500
   Market price: $455.44
   Most recent sale: $399.99

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $367.93
   Market price: $367.23
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $239
   Market price: $241.90
   Most recent sale: $239.99

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.65
   Market price: $198.12
   Most recent sale: $190

SAVE OVER 30%: As of Oct. 21, the Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle is live. Bundle both services together and save over 30% — get Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium for $14.99 per month or Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus for $19.99 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV+ and Peacock Apple TV+ and Peacock   Get Deal

Streaming services continue to see price hikes, making bundle deals look more and more appealing. Bundles are a great way to bring together some of your favorite services for a lower cost than what you'd pay separately, and a new offering from Apple TV+ and Peacock is finally live.

The new Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle is now available, and comes with two different plans: the Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium bundle (which comes to $14.99 per month) or the Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus bundle (which comes to $19.99 per month).

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Oct. 17, 2025)

Compared to paying for each service separately (Apple TV+ is $12.99 per month, Peacock Premium is $10.99 per month, and Peacock Premium Plus is $16.99 per month), you're saving over 30% with both bundles. Below, we've broken down what's included with each plan so you can figure out which one option suits you best.

Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium — $14.99/month

Apple TV+:

• Apple Originals with new releases weekly — no ads

• Live sports

• Download and watch offline

Peacock:

• Must-see TV, including NBC and Bravo series

• Blockbuster movies from Universal Pictures

• Live sports and events

• Includes ads

Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium Plus — $19.99/month

Apple TV+:

• Apple Originals with new releases weekly — no ads

• Live sports

• Download and watch offline

Peacock:

• Must-see TV, including NBC and Bravo series

• Blockbuster movies from Universal Pictures

• Live sports and events

• No ads

• Download and watch offline

If you're curious about what's available to watch on each of these streaming services, check out our breakdowns of the 38 best Apple TV+ shows and the best movies on Peacock to get you started.

Some substances that don't mix on Earth can combine in ultra freezing conditions like those on Saturn's largest moon, breaking one of the best-known rules of chemistry, new research shows.

Titan, a hazy orange world about 880 million miles away in space, shares similarities with early Earth and is the only other place in the solar system with a thick atmosphere, as well as lakes and dunes on its surface. A key reason scientists study the moon is to try to figure out how the first chemical steps toward creating life may have unfolded on our own planet. 

Now a team of researchers from NASA and Chalmers University in Sweden has found that on Titan, the cold environment allows molecules to combine in ways scientists hadn't thought were possible. Its main chemicals — methane, ethane, and hydrogen cyanide — can form crystals together. Normally, hydrogen cyanide doesn't mix with methane and ethane, similar to how oil and water separate. 

That discovery opens up new possibilities for how the basic ingredients of life might begin in worlds once thought too hostile for complex chemistry, said Martin Rahm, a chemistry professor at Chalmers. The team's paper, for which Rahm is a coauthor, appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Hydrogen cyanide is found in many places in the universe," he said in a statement. "The findings of our study may help us understand what happens in other cold environments in space." 

SEE ALSO: New space evidence suggests our water could be older than the sun

Titan, a moon that rivals Mercury in size, apparently breaks a basic chemistry rule related to the distribution of electrical charges in molecules. This property is known as polarity. A polar molecule has one end that is slightly negative and another that is slightly positive, whereas a nonpolar molecule has balanced charges. 

In short, nonpolar substances on Earth tend to dissolve nonpolar substances, and polar substances tend to dissolve polar substances — or, as Rahm puts it, "like dissolves like." 

NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured Ligeia Mare, the second-largest known body of liquid on Saturn's moon Titan. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASI / Cornell

The study began when NASA scientists tried to mix hydrogen cyanide, which is highly polar, with nonpolar molecules methane and ethane at nearly -300 degrees Fahrenheit, matching the temperature of Titan. When they looked at the mixtures using laser spectroscopy, a method for studying a material based on how light interacts with it, they saw that the chemicals hadn’t changed, but something else unusual had happened.

A group of scientists at Chalmers who are experts in hydrogen cyanide helped analyze the data, revealing that liquid methane and ethane actually merged with hydrogen cyanide inside a new kind of crystal. This finding is exciting for astrobiologists because hydrogen cyanide is thought to have played a key role in the creation of amino acids and nucleobases, the building blocks of proteins and DNA, Rahm said.

"So our work also contributes insights into chemistry before the emergency of life, and how it might proceed in extreme, inhospitable environments," he said.

Titan is a special moon because its cold atmosphere — filled with nitrogen and methane — may mimic what young Earth was like billions of years ago. It's also the only other world around the sun known to have active weather, though its precipitation isn't water. Titan's lakes and seas are filled instead with methane and ethane, which cycle through Titan's atmosphere, forming clouds and oily rain that reshape the landscape, much like Earth’s water cycle. 

For years, scientists have wondered if these liquids might also allow the crucial chemistry necessary for life to occur — or at least the kind familiar to us. That question drives NASA's $3.35 billion Dragonfly mission, set to launch in July 2028 and reach Titan six years later. Scientists think a deep underground ocean of liquid water may also exist within Titan, possibly capable of supporting life.

The Chalmers team used computer models to simulate thousands of possible molecular combinations. They found that organic compounds could sneak into hydrogen cyanide’s crystal structure and form "co-crystals." Because these could exist at Titan's frigid temperatures and they match NASA's lab results, there's a good chance these chemical mixtures actually occur on Titan, the scientists say. 

"I see it as a nice example of when boundaries are moved in chemistry and a universally accepted rule does not always apply," Rahm said.

TL;DR: Don’t miss lifetime access to all Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with code LEARN through Oct. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

Heading into the cooler months is the perfect time to invest in yourself, and what better way to do that than by learning a new language — or 14? With a lifetime of Babbel by your side, you get unlimited access to all 14 of its expertly crafted language courses for $159 with the coupon LEARN, a special offer through StackSocial.

That’s a lifetime of personal and professional growth at a fraction of the regular $299 cost. It’s an offer designed to help you unlock global opportunities, connect with different cultures, and sharpen your brain — all on your terms.

SEE ALSO: Lifetime Babbel access gets you 14 languages, no monthly fees required

Babbel is the number-one-selling platform, trusted by millions of users worldwide. Developed by over 100 expert linguists and backed by researchers from top universities, Babbel takes a proven approach to language acquisition.

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Don’t miss this terrific price on a lifetime of Babbel for just $159 with coupon LEARN, offered exclusively through StackSocial through Oct. 30.

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