1. Oldest material found on Earth is more ancient than our solar system
Billions of years before our sun winked into existence, a dying star flung dust out into space. Now a bit of that stardust, trapped in a meteorite that collided with Earth, was dated as the oldest material yet found on our planet. The dust coalesced with other rocks inside what would become the Murchison meteorite, which lit up skies over Australia in September 1969 as it careened to the surface of our planet.
2. First tyrannosaur embryos discovered
Researchers have identified the remains of tyrannosaurs so young they hadn’t yet broken free from their shells.
3. Mars is humming, and scientists aren’t sure why
In November 2018, a spacecraft arrived on Mars’s frigid, dusty surface to take the planet’s pulse. Known as the InSight lander, the robotic geologist recently beamed some of its early findings back to Earth, exciting and perplexing scientists worldwide. Among these curiosities is a Martian hum—a3. Mars is humming, and scientists aren’t sure why
In November 2018, a spacecraft arrived on Mars’s3. Mars is humming, and scientists aren’t sure why
In November 2018, a spacecraft arrived on Mars’s frigid, dusty surface to take the planet’s pulse. Known as the InSight lander, the robotic geologist recently beamed some of its early findings back to Earth, exciting and perplexing scientists worldwide. Among these curiosities is a Martian hum—a quiet, constant drone that seems to pulse to the beat of “marsquakes” that rattle the planet. frigid, dusty surface to take the planet’s pulse. Known as the InSight lander, the robotic geologist recently beamed some of its early findings back to Earth, exciting and perplexing scientists worldwide. Among these curiosities is a Martian hum—a quiet, constant drone that seems to pulse to the beat of “marsquakes” that rattle the planet. quiet, a constant drone that seems to pulse to the beat of “marsquakes” that rattle the planet.
4. Mystery of the star Betelgeuse’s strange behavior finally solved
Betelgeuse is usually among the brightest stars in the sky, but in December 2019, its intense twinkle mysteriously dimmed. The dramatic change set scientists abuzz: Perhaps Betelgeuse was at the end of its life and could explode in a supernova brighter than the full moon. Yet in August of this year, NASA4. The mystery of the star Betelgeuse’s strange behavior finally solved
Betelgeuse is usually among the brightest stars in the sky, but in December 2019, its intense twinkle mysteriously dimmed. The dramatic change set scientists abuzz: Perhaps Betelgeuse was at the end of its life and could explode in a supernova brighter than the full moon. Yet in August of this year, NASA announced a far less extraordinary explanation for its suddenly shadowed face: The star burped. Announced a far less extraordinary explanation for its suddenly shadowed face: The star burped.
5. Stunning details of an armored dinosaur’s last meal
The brilliantly preserved front half of a 110-million-year-old armored dinosaur—bony plates, scales, and all—surprised and delighted scientists after being accidentally unearthed in 2011 by a heavy equipment operator working in an Alberta oil sands mine. But this year, the spiky creature served up even more excited when an analysis revealed that the animal's last meal was also preserved in its belly.
6. The second-largest Ebola outbreak is finally over
On June 25, the World Health Organization declared the second-largest Ebola outbreak, which infected more than 3,480 and killed nearly 2,300.
7. Found: Oldest Homo erectus skull
Extracted from rocks northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, the skull pieces initially seemed like they came from an ancient baboon. But as Jesse Martin and Angeline Leece, both students of La Trobe University in Australia, assembled the pieces, they realized they held the first braincase of homo Erectus yet found in Southern Africa. What’s more, dated to some two million years old, the skull marks the earliest remains of this ancient human ancestor.
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