How It Works

Welcome to How It Works, the magazine that explains everything you never knew you wanted to know about the world we live in. Loaded with fully illustrated guides and expert knowledge, and with sections dedicated to science, technology, transportation, space, history and the environment, no subject is too big or small for How It Works to explain.

WELCOME • Issue 174

Deep-sea squid

Cosmic clouds

Coronavirus under the lens

Lunar rainbow

Mysterious Sun ‘sparks’ help scientists predict solar flares

WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON DIES AT 118

Ultraviolet radiation played a role in a mass extinction event

Laser blast used to control lightning

BRONZE AGE WISHING WELL DISCOVERED

Iceberg larger than London breaks off Antarctica

AN ANCIENT RUNESTONE MAY CONTAIN THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE OF WRITING

Endangered Alaskan sea otters face wolf threat

‘Pac-Man’ microorganisms gobble down viruses

Scientists uncover the secrets of mysterious ‘bog bodies’

The Pentagon struggles to explain 170-plus UFO reports

A SATELLITE SPOTS GLOWING LAVA INSIDE AN ERUPTING VOLCANO

WISH LIST • The latest tech for ASTRONOMY

HALF-PRICE OFFER • SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND save 50%

EXTREME EARTH • From natural death traps to human-made danger zones, here are some of the most hostile places on our planet

EXTREME NUMBERS

HOW WOLVES BECAME DOGS • Our canine companions have changed physically and mentally over millennia

WHY NETTLES STING • The science behind the sting of these common countryside plants

WHAT ARE RIP CURRENTS? • Understanding these powerful channels can help prevent you from swimming into danger

DISCOVER THE PAST! • www.historyanswers.co.uk

MONSTER VEHICLES • Meet the supersized submarine, mammoth mining vehicle and other record-breaking machines taking to the roads, seas and sky

INSIDE THE ASTEROID BELT • The gap between Mars and Jupiter has no planets, and it’s surprisingly interesting for it

WHAT’S AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE? • Discover the size of the known universe and what might lie beyond

BIOMETRICS EXPLAINED • Get to grips with the technology that can recognise your fingerprints, face and more

GOPRO HERO11 MINI TEARDOWN • Explore the technology of this action-capturing camera

MACHINES OF WAR • Humankind has always excelled at crafting weapons of death, from ancient mechanised monstrosities through to the sleekest warfare tools of today

BIGGEST SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS • Discover the most notable scientific discoveries, technological advancements and medical milestones of the past year

WHY DO WE SLEEP? • The science behind your body’s ability to power down at night

FIGHTING ALLERGIES • How antihistamines work to calm allergic reactions when your body’s immune system overreacts

3 ISSUES FOR $3 • WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE

BRAINDUMP • Amazing answers to your curious questions

THE LIBRARY • The latest book releases for curious minds

BRAIN GYM • Give your brain a puzzle workout

MAKE A LOLLY-STICK CATAPULT • Turn your rubbish into an awesome launching device with this simple guide

INBOX • Speak your mind

WE ASKED YOU • This month on social media, we asked you: What’s the most extreme weather you’ve experienced?

How It Works

FAST FACTS • Amazing trivia that will blow your mind