The 2024 solar eclipse is a big deal here on Earth – especially if you’re in the path of totality. But are there better places to observe an eclipse? Well, if you leave our planet, things might get better… or worse. MinutePhysics takes us on a journey through our solar system to see what a solar eclipse might look like on other planets, non-planets, and asteroids.

If you love showy smoke-infused cocktails but hate craft bar prices, do it yourself with a Cocktail Smoker Kit from Bark & Barware. The handsome wood gift box contains six wood chip flavors (like cherry, hickory, and maple), a torch (sans butane), four whiskey stones, a metal brush, and tongs.

xckd takes on another ridiculous hypothetical question: “What if you swam in a nuclear storage pool?” While it probably won’t kill you the second you dive into a tank filled with spent nuclear fuel rods, it’s not something we would recommend. Also, we can’t believe somebody actually has that as a job.

Skate shoes are always a safe bet for sneakers that can take a beating. Now we have that durability to go with the comfort and fit of a knit upper, thanks to Vans and skater Anthony “AVE” Van Engelen. The AVE 2.0 has a sock-like upper, TPU reinforcement, a cushioned midsole, and Vans’ trademark sticky waffle outsole. It comes in either cream or black.

Bentley’s latest masterpiece is a unique Bentayga Hybrid hand-painted by Stephen Wiltshire, MBE, an autistic savant architectural artist who can sketch detailed cityscapes after a single viewing. Titled “Belonging Bentayga,” the $200K+ Alpine Green car features 29 people and landmarks to embody the unity and diversity of our world while celebrating neurodivergence and craftsmanship.

Do you like to draw? Lihit Lab’s easy-to-carry, slimline case holds up to 22 pens or pencils. It also has mesh pockets for small accessories like erasers or earbuds and opens up flat for quick access. It measures just 5.5″ × 8.5″ x 0.7″ when closed and comes in orange, indigo, and black. It’s also available in a skinny 14-pen size.

It’s not often we see a truly unique weapon. In this video from maker DiesInEveryFilm, he shows us how he fabricated a custom sling bow from a kid-sized bicycle wheel and steel tubing. It’s held like a pistol and uses elastic tubing like a slingshot but fires full-length arrows. It looks like something that Hawkeye might have in his bag of tricks.

This versatile laptop sleeve transforms into a desktop work pad once you pull out your computer. Its smooth synthetic leather surface makes a great mouse pad, while its side flap has dual wireless charging pads – one for a phone and one for AirPods. It comes in black or dove grey in 13-14″ or 15-16″ sizes.

Despite the name of Akiyuki’s latest LEGO Great Ball Contraption module, it doesn’t involve minifigures grinding on poles for tips. To transport balls from one end to the other, it carries them to an upper ramp using LEGO worm gears and hockey sticks. A ready-to-build kit is available from Build A Moc or you can buy just the instructions from Planet GBC.

Camping in cold weather just got warmer with Super Pacific’s cozy Therma Puff Insulation Kit for its X1 rooftop camper. It’s like a puffy coat built to line the tent for four-season adventures. The kit includes insulated panels for the headwall, side walls, and ceiling (with mounting hardware), plus a storage bag. Made in the USA.

This smooth but potent whiskey from Memphis, Tennessee distillery Blue Note has won back-to-back Double Gold awards in San Francisco’s World Spirits Competition. The easy-to-sip spirit is finished in toasted French oak barrels for a bold caramel flavor with vanilla undertones and a deep amber color.

It’s been over 50 years since Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon. To celebrate the occasion, drummer Nick Mason asked fans to create their own animated music videos for each song on the classic prog rock album. This playlist is gradually revealing all ten winners plus behind-the-scenes interviews with the artists.

This rugged bag from 5.11 Tactical works as a duffel or a backpack. It’s made from hardwearing 1050D nylon with self-healing YKK zippers. It has a large main compartment with a 56L capacity, and outside, you’ll find MOLLE webbing for attaching small bags and other accessories. Available in Kangaroo Brown or Ranger Green.

NileBlue wanted to recreate grapples: apples that taste like grapes. You’d think it would be a complicated process involving genetics and plant breeding, but it turns out to be a hilariously simple task. We’re not going to spoil it, but the video ends up explaining why grapples are not around anymore and why you shouldn’t try making your own.

The out-of-the-box designers at Discommon Goods have solved the problem of watery cocktails. Instead of diluting spirits by stirring over ice, they created a pricey machined aluminum cup to store in the freezer until it’s needed to instantly chill spirits to the perfect serving temperature. It doesn’t make slushies, but we hope that’s next.

We love IFL Watches’ custom colored G-Shock watches. Good thing they expanded the collection using the thin and sporty 43mm GMA-S2100 as their base. The playful rainbow accents on the dial and bezels contrast nicely with the all black case, but there are also see through and other colorways in the CasiOak Mini Collection.

This titanium keychain offers a quick-release feature for separating its two sections. A locking ring holds it together and disconnects with a simple maneuver. It swivels 360º, has a tactile grip body, and the connector shaft doubles as a box cutter and emergency self-defense tool.

“And we said nay, we are but men.” Polyphonic’s April Fools’ video is only partly silly. In it, he explores the references, metaphors, and themes in Tenacious D’s seminal song Tribute. It’s a surprisingly rich dive with lots of interesting trivia. It ends with a pragmatic reflection on chasing perfection versus finding fulfillment in the act of creation itself.

Samsung made a little brother for the Frame TV. Behind the Music Frame’s 8″ x 10″ photo holder is a surprisingly punchy Dolby Atmos speaker. It has two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and two subwoofers. It can stream music from most services including Spotify and Chromecast, as well as via Bluetooth.

Filmmaker Thomas Blanchard was inspired to make this short film after seeing the nuclear reaction effects in the movie Oppenheimer. The images you see here weren’t created with CGI, but with alcohol inks, gold powder, magic candles, an electric screwdriver, paper clips, and a laboratory shaker. Most of the sequences were filmed in his kitchen, other than the fire.

“Get smart the dumb way.” So goes the tag line for Dropout’s upcoming web series, Smartypants. The show sees the comedy network’s rotating cast of members try to educate, convince, or blow each other’s minds on any topic using good ol’ PowerPoint. Learn why vegetables don’t exist, which birthday is happiest, and more starting 4.25.24.

The mighty Dog of Wisdom is back. A year to the day since his last appearance, the all-knowing canine is here to school a chihuahua on the value of a good bone. Then, our favorite animated wiener dog turns up to grant the Dog of Wisdom a wish.

This twisty metal pen has a bolt-action retraction mechanism and a fidget spinner at the end of its barrel to help you make decisions. Flick the smooth-spinning wheel, and it’ll offer up answers: YES, NO, NOW, LATER, SKIP, ASK, or AGAIN. It’s made from 6061 aluminum alloy and accepts Pilot G2 pen refills. Available in a grey or black finish.