Explore a vast collection of famous science and astronomy magazines free online. Best magazines for scientists, scientific education, laymen, research, technology, inventions, space. Modern and some vintage mags.
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Table of contents
Famous Science Magazines Free Online
American Scientist – Best Science Magazines for Scientists
2023
North Carolina: Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Honor Society
“Sigma Xi: the scientific research honor society, is a society of scientists and engineers, founded in 1886 to recognize scientific achievement. The society fosters interaction among science, technology, and society.”
Cell – Best Science Magazines for Scientists
1970- Present at Website Archives
2014-2015
U.S.: Cell Press
“Cell is a peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing research papers across a broad range of disciplines within the life sciences.” -Wikipedia
Cosmos – Reputable Science Magazine
2022
The Royal Institution of Australia
“Through Cosmos magazine, we aim to be an inspirational resource centre for the wonders and achievements of Australian and the world’s scientific discoveries.”
Discover Magazine – Best Science Magazines for Laymen
2015-2016
U.S.: Kalmbach Publishing
“Science for the curious”.
Discover Society – Science Research Magazine
Discover Society Magazine Website
UK: Social Research Publications
“Discover Society magazine is published by Social Research Publications, a not-for-profit collaboration between sociology and social policy academics and publishers at Policy Press to promote the publication of social research, commentary and policy analysis.” – Website About page. This is a free online “magazine”. All previous articles from 2013 to the present are available.
The Edge Magazine – Science Related Magazines
The Edge Magazine Website
John Brockman
This is a free online magazine. “Edge.org was launched in 1996 as the online version of “The Reality Club” and as a living document on the Web to display the activities of “The Third Culture.” The Reality Club was an informal gathering of intellectuals who met from 1981 to 1996. The motto of the Club was, “To arrive at the edge of the world’s knowledge, seek out the most complex and sophisticated minds, put them in a room together, and have them ask each other the questions they are asking themselves.” The third culture consists of those scientists and other thinkers in the empirical world who, through their work and expository writing, are taking the place of the traditional intellectual in rendering visible the deeper meanings of our lives, redefining who and what we are.” – Website ‘About’ page. The Edge Magazine.
Emerging Infectious Diseases – Science Research Magazine
1995-2015
Atlanta: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
“Peer-Reviewed Journal Tracking and Analyzing Disease Trends”.
Facts.net Magazine – Science Education Magazine
Facts.net Magazine Website
New York
A free online “magazine”. “Since 1997, Facts.net is the biggest online facts collection site, an ever-growing knowledge base for the world’s most random and interesting facts. We have thousands of facts about nearly anything you could think of. With an affinity for research, we’re always looking at what’s happening now, what’s changing, and what’s emerging in the future.” -Website.
Hundreds of illustrated articles, arranged into broad categories such as Lifestyle, History, Nature, World, and Science, with many more subcategories. Almost every conceivable interest is covered.
How It Works – Magazine for Science and Technology
How It Works Magazine Website
2009-2021
UK
“How It Works’ expert explanations, dynamic cutaways and breathtaking images help its eager audience to understand and explore the wonders of the modern world. Making complex topics accessible for readers of all ages, How It Works stands for clarity, authority, intelligence and knowledge.” – How it Works website.
Inspire Magazine – Science Research Magazine
Research Australia Website
2016 – Present
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia: Research Australia
“INSPIRE magazine is a free quarterly publication put together by Research Australia which explores exciting health and medical research projects / initiatives from around Australia.” – Publisher.
Inspirezine – Science Related Magazine
Inspirezine Website
Issues 2018 – Present
Ottawa Canada: Better than Pi
A magazine that merges art and science. Each issue explores a singular topic from both an artistic and scientific viewpoint.
Issues in Science and Technology – Scientific Research Magazines
Issues in Science and Technology Website
1996-2021 Archives
Phoenix, Arizona: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, and Arizona State U.
This quarterly journal … “is a forum for discussion of public policy related to science and technology. Our concerns encompass a broad range of themes and perspectives related to the ways that societies seek to advance knowledge and innovation to achieve social goals. Our audience is everyone involved or interested in this effort.” – Science Daily Website. The archived issues appear to be freely available.
Knowable Magazine – Scientific Research Magazines
Knowable Magazine Website
Palo Alto, California: Annual Reviews
Free online digital magazine. “Knowable Magazine explores the real-world significance of scholarly work through a journalistic lens. We report on the current state of play across a wide variety of fields — from agriculture to high-energy physics; biochemistry to water security; the origins of the universe to psychology. Review articles written by leading scholars from the 50 Annual Reviews journals serve as springboards for stories in Knowable Magazine.” – Knowable website.
National Geographic – Science Education Magazines
National Geographic Magazine Website
Magazines 1888-2024 – With Index
Washington DC: National Geographic
““National Geographic Magazine, the flagship magazine of the National Geographic Society, chronicles exploration and adventure, as well as changes that impact life on Earth. Editorial coverage encompasses people and places of the world, with an emphasis on human involvement in a changing universe. Major topics include culture, nature, geography, ecology, science and technology.” – National Geographic Magazine.
Nature Magazine – Reputable Science Magazine
Nature Website
Nature – 2015 – 2016 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020
Nature – 2010 – 2011 – 2012 – 2013 – 2014
Nature – 2007 – 2008 – 2009
Nature Magazine Collection – 670+ items
London, UK: Springer Nature
“A multidisciplinary publication, Nature features peer-reviewed research from a variety of academic disciplines, mainly in science and technology. It is one of the world’s most-read and most prestigious academic journals.” – Wikipedia
The title line of each issue contains the issue number and date.
The last link – “Nature Magazine Collection” – contains, in addition to many modern magazines, 6-month volumes of Nature from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
New Scientist – Science and Invention Magazine
New Scientist Magazine Website
2022
2014-2015
UK
A popular science magazine from the UK, covering all aspects of science and technology.
New Scientist – The Collection – Science and Invention Magazine
2014-2017
UK: Reed Business Information
“A quarterly co-publication with the New Scientist with thematically oriented issues on the current state of science in various disciplines. As each issue is focused on a particular subject or area, the articles within break down past scientific progress as well as the most up to date research in showcasing the wonders of the natural world as we yet understand them.”
Physics Today – Best Science Magazines for Scientists
Physics Today Website
All Issues 1948-Present
College Park, Maryland: American Center for Physics
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Physics Today is providing complimentary access to its entire 73-year archive to readers who register.”
“Physics Today, the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics, is the most influential and closely followed physics magazine in the world.” Physics Today website.
Popular Science Magazine PDF – Reputable Science and Technology Magazine
Popular Science Magazine Website
Popular Science Magazine Free Download PDF – 1872-2009
Some issues from 2015 & Various Years
U.S.
“Popular Science magazine is one of the nation’s oldest and most influential magazines on trends in the scientific world. It provides a way for you to stay updated on the newest technology, inventions, and theories that affect our world today. Popular Science magazine also has many practical and insightful news stories that every household can use.” – Popular Science.
Science – AAAS Science Magazine Online Free – Science Education Magazines
Science Magazine Website
Current Issue
1880-Present
Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science
“The Science family of journals is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s oldest and largest general science organization. A voice for science and scientists everywhere, AAAS fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” by communicating the value of science to the public, helping governments formulate science policy, promoting advancements in science education and diversity, and helping scientists develop their careers.” – AAAS.
Science Advances – Science Education Magazines
Science Advances Magazine Website
Current Issue
2015-Current Date
Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Open Access journal from AAAS. “The Science family of journals is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s oldest and largest general science organization. A voice for science and scientists everywhere, AAAS fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” by communicating the value of science to the public, helping governments formulate science policy, promoting advancements in science education and diversity, and helping scientists develop their careers.” – AAAS.
Science Daily – Scientific Research Magazine
Science Daily Magazine Website
Rockville, MD: Science Daily
Free online website. “ScienceDaily features breaking news about the latest discoveries in science, health, the environment, technology, and more — from leading universities, scientific journals, and research organizations. Visitors can browse more than 500 individual topics, grouped into 12 main sections (listed under the top navigational menu), covering: the medical sciences and health; physical sciences and technology; biological sciences and the environment; and social sciences, business and education.” – Website ‘About’ page. Science Daily Magazine. Science magazine pdf free download.
Science News – Scientific Research Magazine
Science News Magazine Website
2023
2011-2015
1922-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
Washington, D.C.: Society for Science
“Science News, published by the nonprofit Society for Science, offers concise, comprehensive coverage of the latest in science.” – Publisher.
Science Reporter – Modern Science Magazine
2008-2023
India: National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research
Scientific American Magazine – Famous Science Magazine
Scientific American Magazine Website
Scientific American 2023 (12 issues)
Scientific American – 2015 – 2016 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020
Scientific American – 2010 – 2011 – 2012 – 2013 – 2014
Scientific American – 2005 – 2006 – 2007 – 2008 – 2009
Scientific American – 2000 – 2001 – 2002 – 2003 – 2004
Scientific American – 1995 – 1996 – 1997 – 1998 – 1999
Scientific American – 1990 – 1991 – 1992 – 1993 – 1994
Scientific American Special Online 2002-2006 (22 issues)
Scientific American Special Edition 1997-2023 (74 issues)
Scientific American Magazine PDF – 1846-1922 (Hathitrust)
Scientific American Magazine PDF – 1845-1909 (Internet Archive)
New York: Scientific American
“As the oldest continuously published magazine in the country, Scientific American magazine pdf has been reporting on the latest breakthroughs in all areas of science since 1845. Respected and influential, it is known for making cutting-edge information accessible to the educated reader. From the latest in alternative energy technology to groundbreaking medical advances, the magazine explores and explains innovative developments, including what they mean to you.” – Scientific American Magazine.
Scientific American Mind Magazine – Science Education Magazine
2010-2018
New York: Scientific American
“Behavior, Brain Science, Insights”
Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason – Science Related Magazine
Skeptical Inquirer Current Digital Issue
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
“Serves the public and news media, providing access to facts regarding the scientific investigation of claims of the paranormal from a skeptical point-of-view, enabling readers to separate fact from myth in the flood of occultism and pseudoscientific theories presented in today’s culture.” – Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.
Smithsonian Insider – National Science Magazine
Smithsonian Insider Magazine Website
Washington, DC: Smithsonian
Free online magazine. “Every day, Smithsonian experts look through the lenses of art, history, science and culture to examine many of the world’s most intriguing and complex topics. Smithsonian Insider takes you beyond the bricks and mortar of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and 9 research centers, to share with you the astounding and diverse work being conducted by the Smithsonian around the world.” – Website ‘About’ page.
Free Online Astronomy Space Magazines for Adults
Astronomy – Best Science Magazines for Laymen
Astronomy Magazine Website
2013-2023
Waukesha, WI – Kalmbach
A monthly, founded in 1973 in Wisconsin by amateur astronomer Stephen A. Walther. The magazine targets amateur astronomers, and contains columns on sky viewing, reader-submitted astrophotographs, and articles on astronomy and astrophysics for general readers. – Wikipedia.
BBC Sky at Night – Best Science Magazines for Laymen
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
UK: BBC Sky at Night
“The UK’s best selling astronomy magazine.”
NASA Spaceport Magazine – Astronomy Space Magazine
NASA Spaceport Magazine Website
U.S.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
“Spaceport Magazine is a monthly NASA publication that serves Kennedy Space Center employees and the American public. The magazine’s wide topic variety mirrors Kennedy’s diverse spaceport operations. From launch processing to center development and employee stories, Spaceport Magazine covers it all.” – Website.
Perth Observatory Newsletter – Astronomy Space Magazine
Perth Observatory Website
2019 – Present
Kalamunda, WA, Australia: Perth Observatory
“The Perth Observatory is Western Australia’s oldest observatory which is located 35 km east of Perth in Bickley. The Observatory has served WA for over 120 years and remains actively involved in the service of public education through Day Tours for schools and Night Sky Tours for the public.” – Website.
The Planetary Report – Astronomy Space Magazine
1981-2019
California: The Planetary Society
“The Planetary Society is an American internationally-active NGO. It is involved in research, public outreach, and political space advocacy for engineer projects related to astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. Founded 1980.” -Wikipedia
Rocket STEM – Online Science Magazine for Students
Rocket STEM Magazine Website
2013-2015
Pensacola, Florida: RocketSTEM Media Foundation
All issues appear to be available free on the website. “RocketSTEM Media Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization established for the purpose of fostering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education throughout countries of planet Earth via the promotion of the wonders of space exploration. Our first project is the publication of a RocketSTEM magazine with content geared towards teachers, students and parents as well. The publication blends space history – past, present and future – with interviews, astronomy lessons, aerospace and astronomy news, museum features, NASA technology spinoffs, and educational resources; along with explanations of the mathematics and physics of all things to do with space travel.” – Publisher.
Scientific American Space and Physics Magazine – Reputable Science Magazine
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
New York: Scientific American
Sky & Telescope – Best Science Magazines for Adults
2023
2022
2021
Washington, DC: AAS Sky Publishing
“The essential guide to astronomy.”
Sky’s Up Global Astronomy Magazine – Science Education Magazine
Sky’s Up Global Astronomy Magazine Website
Issues 2015 – Present
Springdale, Arizona: AstronomyOutreach
“This magazine is a great resource for teachers, students, parents and anyone interested in learning more about what’s happening in the sky. Each issue features a STEM activity, regular columns by well-known astronomers on topics ranging from stargazing to astrobiology.” – Publisher. Science magazine pdf free download.
Library Research Guide (LibGuide) – Astronomy
This research guide from the librarians at Suffolk County NY Public Libraries has links to a variety of resources related to Astronomy.
Reputable Science Magazines Websites to Explore
Websites of More Reputable Science Magazines
Free online versions of these science magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.
American Scientist
Astronomy Now
Cosmos
Nautilus
Nature Geoscience
Geographical
Physics Today
Quanta Magazine
Science Illustrated
Sky & Telescope
Smithsonian Magazine
Space.com
Wired
American Anthropologist
ESO: European Southern Observatory
BBC Sky at Night
Space News
Biology Open
Chemical & Engineering News
Chemistry World
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Collected History of Science Articles
Articles on the History of Science and Technology
A collection of links here at Century Past to articles in leading magazines and newspapers related to the history of science and technology.
Explore More Free Online Resources
Discover further collections of free online books and other free online materials on these Century Past pages.