Scientists have made several groundbreaking discoveries that shed light on Earth’s past, its inhabitants, and even other worlds.
One of the most significant finds is an ice core extracted from the Antarctic ice sheet, which spans over 1.2 million years of climate history. The sample may hold the secrets of why ancient human populations plummeted during a period when the planet’s ice ages became longer and more intense.
Researchers have also turned their attention to the ocean, specifically to a mother orca named Tahlequah, who carried her dead calf for over 1,000 miles in a heartbreaking display of grief. This behavior has raised concerns among scientists about the emotional toll it takes on Tahlequah and its impact on the vulnerable killer whale population.
In a breakthrough that could challenge SpaceX’s dominance in the commercial space industry, Blue Origin is set to launch a rocket called New Glenn, which will mark the first attempt by Jeff Bezos’ company to send a rocket into orbit. The mission will also test the ability of the rocket’s first-stage booster to land safely after launch.
Astronomers have made new discoveries about Pluto, including its unusual moon and how they came together through a rare type of collision called a “kiss and capture.” This could be responsible for the subsurface ocean suspected to exist beneath Pluto’s icy crust.
Finally, a team of researchers in England stumbled upon an incredible 200 dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years. The discovery provides insights into the behaviors of long-necked dinosaurs and massive predators like Megalosaurus.
These discoveries reveal just how much we still have to learn about our planet and its inhabitants. By exploring these findings, scientists can gain a better understanding of Earth’s history, its secrets, and what lies beyond our solar system.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/12/science/antarctica-ice-core-science-newsletter-wt/index.html