Gallery: The Remote Frozen Islands Where Science Is King
Niels Stomps01Miss Piggy Ny-Alesund
A scientist at the AWIPEV Arctic research base in Ny-Alesund checks an orange meteorological balloon nicknamed "Miss Piggy."
Niels Stomps02Walking slowly to the Snowmobile-Niels Stomps
Scientists bundled in white snowsuits as they walk to their snowmobile.
Niels Stomps03Dome23 at Isfjorden, Svalbard
A radar dome owned by NASA in Isfjorden, the second longest fjord in Svalbard.
Niels Stomps04Coal layer of five feet Niels Stomps
A man wearing a hard hat explores the Lunckefjell coal mine in Van Mijenfjord, Svalbard.
Niels Stomps05Mining Building-Svalbard -Niels Stomps
A mining building.
Niels Stomps06Leif Magne Helgesen is the world’s northernmost priest
Leif Magne Helgesen is the priest at Svalbard Church in Longyearben. It's the northernmost church in the world.
Niels Stomps07Eiscat radio telescope
A radio telescope operated by EISCAT (the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association).
Niels Stomps08Global Seed entrance-Niels Stomps
The entrance to the Global Seed Vault near Longyearben.
Niels Stomps09Antenna Field, Svalbard-Niels Stomps
The Sousy Svalbard Radar is an antenna field in Adventdalen, just outside of Longyearben. Its 365 antennas monitor the troposphere and mesosphere.
Niels Stomps102009-FireSnow-Day14-CF076943DEF
Students dig research pits in the snow in Bolterdalen.
Niels Stomps11Drilling for samples 32-niels Stomps
A site where marine biologists drilled for ice samples in Ny-Alesund.
Niels Stomps12Radar dome at Isfjorden, Svalbard-Niels Stomps
A radar dome at Isfjorden, Svalbard.
2009 Niels Stomps13Mesurements Niels Stomps Spistbergen
Snow measurements in Longyearben.
Niels Stomps14Instuments-Niels Stomps
An instrument from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory sits on the Breinosa mountain outside Longyearben.
Niels Stomps15Everyday Digging Niels Stomps
A biologist searches for traces of nitrogen oxides in the snow in Ny Alesund.
What’s Worse Than Romance Scams? Adoption Scams
This week in WIRED Book Club, we recap the final chapters of The Yahoo Boys.
Kate Knibbs
Beatbot’s New Pool Robot Cleans Itself (Mostly)
The AquaSense X brings self-cleaning technology to pool robots for the first time, but is it worth nearly twice the price of Beatbot’s flagship cleaner?
Christopher Null
Skylight’s Touchscreen Calendar Got my Whole Family on the Same Page
The Skylight has become the informational and organizational hub of my household. My touchscreen-native kids have also gained more agency over our family activities.
Jaclyn Greenberg
The Samsung Micro RGB R95H Is a Good, Not Great TV
There’s a new fleet of TVs using new mini and micro RBG display tech, and Samsung’s R95H model isn’t as impressive as it should be.
John Brandon
AI Found a Root Bug in Linux That Everyone Missed for 15 Years
Plus: The Pentagon is training amateurs to become part of its hacker army, a Flock license plate reader error led to cops surrounding a car reviewer, and more.
Dell Cameron
We Make Lovely Home-Cooked Meals for Ourselves. Why Not Do the Same for Our Dogs?
More dog owners have begun cooking for their canine companions in recent years. When my own dog fell ill, I became part of this growing group.
Alicia Kennedy
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon
The probe sent back the first pictures of the asteroid Kamo’oalewa. Next step: landing on the surface and collecting samples to send back to Earth.
Ritsuko Kawai
El Niño Is Already Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries
As the climate phenomenon sends warm water surging across the eastern Pacific, some parts of the fishing industry are suffering—but other regions are seeing a windfall.
Joseph Winters
Exclusive: How Jay-Z Pulled Off a Surprise-Filled Show During New York’s Wildest Summer
Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut Reasonable Doubt. To honor it, he put on a massive concert at Yankee Stadium—complete with performances from Beyoncé, Nas, and Alicia Keys.
Angela Watercutter
OpenAI’s Head of Safety Is Leaving the Company
Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.
Maxwell Zeff
Microsoft Reports a Massive 25 Percent Jump in Emissions
Data centers are driving up the company’s use of electricity—and carbon pollution.
Molly Taft