Pikachu visited the ISS and now stars in ESA’s space exhibition
The plush toy spent 67 days in orbit. It is now part of an ESA exhibition introducing visitors to real space exploration.
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WONDER
Wonder
The unusual, the hidden, discoveries and phenomena.
NASA reveals a 222-metre-wide lunar crater left by a rare impact
A new analysis of LRO images examines McGetchin crater. It formed in spring 2024; NASA reported on the research on September 16.
A nest-shaped pterosaur museum opens in China’s Hami
Six oval buildings resemble a clutch of eggs, while the displays explore the region’s Cretaceous flying reptiles.
Scientists identify a Denisovan radius for the first time
Ancient proteins identified five Denisovan specimens from Bianfu Cave in China, including the first known fragment of a radius.
Scientists describe a new toothed toad species in Sichuan
Oreolalax lizipingensis is so far known only from streams near the Liziping reserve. Its status as a distinct species is supported by anatomy, mating calls and DNA.
Scientists describe a new white-flowered balsam species in southern China
Impatiens shanglinensis grows in a forest valley in the Damingshan reserve; three populations totalling around 300 plants are known.
Function of 3,400-year-old monumental building at Hittite Šapinuwa remains unknown
Archaeologists have not determined whether the monumental structure was a temple, an administrative centre, or another type of public building.
Curiosity finds a vast field of honeycomb-like fractures on Mars
The NASA rover photographed polygonal terrain on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp at a scale the mission had never encountered before.
NASA prepares the Roman telescope for a late-August launch
The new space observatory will see a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble’s.
A new car-sized dinosaur species is identified in Zimbabwe
Musango matusadonaensis lived around 210 million years ago and reached about 4.5 metres in length.