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Far Out

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Thermal anomaly discovered below Mars' south pole

Thermal anomaly discovered below Mars' south pole

Researchers have identified a thermal anomaly deep beneath the surface of Mars' southern hemisphere, where temperatures are 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the northern half. This region appears to be partially molten, offering new insights into the planet's interior structure and history.

A Brittle Coating on a 2,200-Year-Old Roman Shipwreck Reveals How Ancient Sailors Kept Their Ships Afloat

A Brittle Coating on a 2,200-Year-Old Roman Shipwreck Reveals How Ancient Sailors Kept Their Ships Afloat

Researchers discovered that ancient Roman shipbuilders used a specialized mixture of pine tar and beeswax to waterproof their vessels, traces of which were found on a 2,200-year-old wreck.

Archaeologists unearth 11,000-year-old statue of a person riding a leopard

Archaeologists unearth 11,000-year-old statue of a person riding a leopard

Archaeologists in southern Turkey have discovered a unique 11,000-year-old statue depicting a person riding on the back of a leopard. The find originates from one of the world's earliest known settlements.

Indigenous nations in present-day Georgia may have enjoyed cacao

Indigenous nations in present-day Georgia may have enjoyed cacao

Ancient trade networks may have brought cacao to Indigenous nations in present-day Georgia. This suggests the chocolate ingredient traveled from the southwest long ago.

Did ocean motion carve Enceladus's tiger stripes?

Did ocean motion carve Enceladus's tiger stripes?

Saturn's moon Enceladus features mysterious parallel cracks at its south pole that spew water vapor into space. Scientists are investigating whether the motion of its subsurface ocean created these deep fissures.

Astronomers Warn of Proposed Space Mirrors Brighter Than the Moon

Astronomers Warn of Proposed Space Mirrors Brighter Than the Moon

A startup called Reflect Orbital has proposed launching sun-reflecting space mirrors that could be 40 times brighter than the full moon. Astronomers warn that these mirrors would significantly disrupt the night sky, creating light pollution worse than that of major cities.

2,000-year-old gold ring discovered in Thai rice field

2,000-year-old gold ring discovered in Thai rice field

Archaeologists excavating a rice field in Thailand unearthed a 2,000-year-old skeleton buried with gold rings, one of which features an ancient Brahmi inscription.

Chance gaze at old Hubble Telescope image leads to discovery that could reveal dark matter's secrets

Chance gaze at old Hubble Telescope image leads to discovery that could reveal dark matter's secrets

A former scientist made a significant astronomical discovery while casually reviewing an old Hubble Space Telescope image during a train commute.

Hunger Stones Resurface in Europe as Rivers Hit Historic Lows

Hunger Stones Resurface in Europe as Rivers Hit Historic Lows

Severe drought in central Europe has caused river levels to drop, revealing ancient 'hunger stones' carved by past generations to warn of dangerously low water levels.

Three forgotten kings could rewrite the history of ancient Assyria

Three forgotten kings could rewrite the history of ancient Assyria

Researchers have identified three previously unknown Assyrian rulers by analyzing ancient statues and inscriptions. These findings suggest that the official Assyrian King List has been missing these figures for over 2,700 years.

Ritual solstice structure 1,000 years older than Stonehenge unearthed in Czech Republic

Ritual solstice structure 1,000 years older than Stonehenge unearthed in Czech Republic

Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have discovered a prehistoric ritual structure oriented to the sun and moon. The site predates Stonehenge by approximately 1,000 years.

This 3,700-Year-Old Olive Tree in Portugal Has Been Growing Since the Bronze Age (and Keeps Making Olives)

This 3,700-Year-Old Olive Tree in Portugal Has Been Growing Since the Bronze Age (and Keeps Making Olives)

A 3,700-year-old olive tree in Portugal continues to produce fruit despite dating back to the Bronze Age. The tree remains a living relic of ancient agricultural history.

Rare sunlight trick transforms Pacific island into a giant silver 'magnifying glass' — Earth from space

Rare sunlight trick transforms Pacific island into a giant silver 'magnifying glass' — Earth from space

A rare optical phenomenon known as sunglint caused the Pacific Ocean surrounding a Solomon Island to reflect light like a giant silver lens. The striking effect was captured in a 2023 photograph taken from space.

On the Deepest Level of Reality, Time and Space Don’t Exist, Physicist Claims

On the Deepest Level of Reality, Time and Space Don’t Exist, Physicist Claims

A controversial new theory suggests that time and space are not fundamental, but rather emerged when the building blocks of the universe crystallized into existence.

Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual offering in Peru

Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual offering in Peru

Archaeologists in Lima have discovered the skeletal remains of an adult buried inside a canal at the ancient Huaca Pucllana pyramid. Researchers believe the individual was placed there as a ritual sacrifice by the Lima culture over 700 years before the Inca Empire.

Astronomers Peered at the Early Universe and May Have Discovered a New Kind of Celestial Object: Black Hole Stars

Astronomers Peered at the Early Universe and May Have Discovered a New Kind of Celestial Object: Black Hole Stars

Data from the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed mysterious 'little red dots' in the early universe that may be a new class of object. Researchers hypothesize these could be giant black holes possessing star-like characteristics.

Here's Why These Male Spiders Sacrifice Themselves by Somersaulting Into Females' Fangs While Mating

Here's Why These Male Spiders Sacrifice Themselves by Somersaulting Into Females' Fangs While Mating

A new study reveals that some male spiders perform a fatal somersault directly into the fangs of their mates during reproduction. Researchers suggest this extreme behavior may have a simple genetic basis.

Thousands of Years Ago, Denisovans Might Have Been Huge, Especially Compared to Their Archaic Human Neighbors

Thousands of Years Ago, Denisovans Might Have Been Huge, Especially Compared to Their Archaic Human Neighbors

New research suggests that the extinct Denisovans may have been significantly taller than the Homo erectus populations that lived alongside them in Asia.

Off the Coast of Sicily, Divers Discovered a Roman-Era Shipwreck With Hundreds of Amphorae, Ancient Jars Frequently Used to Hold Wine

Off the Coast of Sicily, Divers Discovered a Roman-Era Shipwreck With Hundreds of Amphorae, Ancient Jars Frequently Used to Hold Wine

Divers have located a Roman-era shipwreck off the coast of Sicily containing hundreds of ancient amphorae. The discovery is expected to provide new information regarding Mediterranean trade routes from over 2,000 years ago.

Why Did the Ancient Romans Bury This Monumental Marble Statue Facedown?

Why Did the Ancient Romans Bury This Monumental Marble Statue Facedown?

Archaeologists in Turkey discovered a 2,500-year-old marble statue of a young man buried facedown in the ground. It appears the Romans repurposed the monumental artwork to serve as a simple paving stone.

DNA analysis reveals two extinct 'ghost' human ancestors

DNA analysis reveals two extinct 'ghost' human ancestors

Researchers have identified genetic traces of two previously unknown hominin lineages within the DNA of modern humans. One of these ancestors is estimated to have diverged from the human family tree 1.8 million years ago.

First a Volcanic Eruption, Now a Crustacean Invasion? See the Giant Lobsters Taking Over the Ancient City of Pompeii

First a Volcanic Eruption, Now a Crustacean Invasion? See the Giant Lobsters Taking Over the Ancient City of Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii is currently hosting a pop art exhibition featuring over 30 giant lobster sculptures created by artist Philip Colbert.

This Marine-Life Mosaic Discovered Near the Colosseum Offers a Surprising Clue—Its Building May Have Housed Firefighters in Ancient Rome

This Marine-Life Mosaic Discovered Near the Colosseum Offers a Surprising Clue—Its Building May Have Housed Firefighters in Ancient Rome

Archaeologists discovered a marine-life mosaic near the Colosseum that suggests the building once served as a station for ancient Roman firefighters. The find provides a rare glimpse into the professional organization of firefighting in the second century C.E.

This organ will play one composition until 2640. It's redefining how slowly music can be played

This organ will play one composition until 2640. It's redefining how slowly music can be played

A small organ in Halberstadt, Germany, is performing a John Cage composition at an extremely slow pace that is scheduled to last 639 years. The project recently reached a historic moment by changing its chord for the first time in years.

Archaeologists Discover Two Thumbnail-Size Bird Sculptures Carved From Mammoth Ivory 40,000 Years Ago

Archaeologists Discover Two Thumbnail-Size Bird Sculptures Carved From Mammoth Ivory 40,000 Years Ago

Archaeologists in Germany's Hohle Fels Cave unearthed two bird figurines carved from mammoth ivory that are 40,000 years old. These sculptures measure less than an inch long and represent some of the oldest figurative art ever found.

Ice Age Humans Mostly Killed Female Woolly Mammoths, Suggests Ancient DNA

Ice Age Humans Mostly Killed Female Woolly Mammoths, Suggests Ancient DNA

An analysis of over 500 mammoth bones indicates that Ice Age humans disproportionately hunted female woolly mammoths. The reasons behind this specific hunting pattern remain unknown to researchers.

A Metal Detectorist Discovered Tiny Tiles in a Farmer's Field. A Spectacular Ancient Roman Mosaic Was Buried Beneath the Surface

A Metal Detectorist Discovered Tiny Tiles in a Farmer's Field. A Spectacular Ancient Roman Mosaic Was Buried Beneath the Surface

A metal detectorist in southwestern England uncovered a rare, polychrome Roman mosaic buried in a farmer's field. The site is believed to have been part of a lavish villa complex.