Entertainment
The Dark Science History Series That Ties Elon Musk's Rocketry To The Occult
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
The only thing stranger than science fiction is science fact. Dark Matters: Twisted But True, a short-lived documentary series hosted by genre legend John Noble, took this to the extreme in 2011.
Every episode documented the real history behind strange scientific experiments and breakthroughs, from the origins of lobotomies to brain transplant experiments, and even how the origins of the rocket were tied to the Occult. After catching a few episodes, you’ll think that science fiction doesn’t go far enough.
The Occult And Cheating Death Are Only Part Of The Series
Dark Matters: Twisted But True stuck to a formula, an introduction by Noble, historical images, and reenactments combined to tell a twisted story, and then the final wrap-up that was, typically, tragic or horrifying and often, both. The Season 3 finale tells the story of John Parsons and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), which developed the first rocket engine. In an effort to boost his research, Parsons started taking the teachings of Aleister Crowley very seriously, converting to Thelema and using sex-magic rituals to empower his experiments. It worked until he pushed too far, losing his standing in the academic community, his marriage, and all of his money.
The first episode included a segment on the Philadelphia Experiment, the alleged disappearance of the USS Eldridge, which has served as the basis for movies and even Stranger Things. It’s a tame story compared to another Season 2 episode focused on Dr. Robert Cornish, a researcher in the 1930’s convinced the dead could come back to life, though his human experiments never worked. The lengths men and women of science went to prove a theory or to push the boundaries of human knowledge sound ripped from the pages of a dime-store novel, but they’re true.
John Noble’s gravitas adds to each segment of Dark Matters: Twisted But True; no matter how ridiculous the experiment is or how insane the researcher has become, his soothing yet oddly unsettling tones elevate each reenactment. Once you start watching, you’ll keep going through the entire series in one night. There’s something oddly hypnotizing about the dark science tales you don’t hear about in school.
On The Verge Of Being Lost Forever
With the rise of true crime docuseries in the last decade, it’s clear that there’s a massive audience out there for real stories that aren’t afraid to show how bizarre early science could get. New standards and closely monitored research make it unlikely that there’s anyone out there experimenting with brain transplants or trying to bring back the dead, but for centuries, science was the wild west. There’s no telling how many bizarre stories are out there.
Dark Matters: Twisted But True aired 19 episodes between 2011 and 2012, and currently, only Season 3 is available for digital purchase. It’s a shame that the series is close to becoming lost media, and more of a shame that there have been no new episodes in the last 14 years. Dark Matters: Extra Twisted, a series of remixed episodes with more scenes, more information, and “deeper insights,” was briefly aired on the Science Channel as well, but it has since vanished into the digital aether. If you can find it, the series is a fun binge despite the disturbing content. If nothing else, John Noble’s portrayal of Fringe’s mad scientist Walter Bishop makes a lot more sense when you realize the long, sordid history of insane researchers who’ve shaped our understanding of the universe.
Entertainment
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on April 26
We’re now in the Waxing Gibbous phase of the lunar cycle. This means most of the Moon’s face is lit up at this point, making it especially bright in the night sky. Read on to see what details you can spot tonight.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Sunday, April 26, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 73% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.
If you’re looking at the Moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Mare Crisium, Copernicus Crater, and Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, the Mare Frigoris, Posidonius Crater, and Apennine Mountains should also come into view. And, finally, with a telescope you’ll see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot, Rupes Altai, and Rupes Recta.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.
What are Moon phases?
NASA says that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it passes through eight stages. Although the same face of the Moon is always turned toward us, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its path, producing the familiar cycle of full, half, and crescent shapes. These variations are referred to as lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:
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).
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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.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts 2026: 40+ ideas for pampering, de-stressing, or making life easier
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. They teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain. So when it comes to showing your appreciation with a Mother’s Day gift, the game plan involves more than a generic mug or the last wilted bouquet from CVS.
There’s something so priceless about a gift that was obviously picked just for her, regardless of its actual price. Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a queen, there are opportunities for truly thoughtful gifts for mom on any budget. Here are our best Mother’s Day gift ideas for 2026:
Entertainment
This backup Mac might become your favorite at just $430
TL;DR: This near-mint MacBook Pro (2020) delivers strong performance, a sharp Retina display, and all-day usability for just $429.97 while stock lasts.
$429.97
$1,999
Save $1,569.03
Not every MacBook needs to be your “handle with care” device. Sometimes, you just want something powerful, reliable, and ready to go — without worrying about every scratch or spill. And this near-mint Apple MacBook Pro fits that bill.
It’s built to handle real work. With a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a fast 512GB SSD, it’s more than capable of juggling everyday multitasking, creative projects, or even some heavier workloads like video editing or coding.
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Apps launch quickly, files move fast, and everything feels responsive.
The 13.3-inch Retina display is still one of the highlights, offering sharp resolution and vibrant color with True Tone for easier viewing throughout the day. Pair that with the Magic Keyboard, the Touch Bar’s easy-access shortcuts, and Touch ID login, and you’ve got a setup that feels both familiar and efficient.
It’s also surprisingly versatile thanks to four Thunderbolt 3 ports, giving you plenty of options for displays, accessories, and fast data transfers. And with up to 10 hours of battery life, it’s easy to take it on the go without constantly thinking about charging.
Mashable Deals
This Grade A refurbished model is in near-mint condition with the possibility of light scratching. Get MacBook Pro performance for just $429.97 (reg. $1,999) while stock lasts.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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