Photo: Caroline Wood / University of Oxford

Many are familiar with the looks and sizes of the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth, but it may be harder to grasp that they once walked the same areas where we live and work today. The biggest dinosaur trackway in the history of the UK was recently unearthed in a quarry, featuring nearly 200 footprints in multiple paths that cross the limestone ground, forming a “dinosaur highway.”

Gary Johnson found the footprints in Oxfordshire while he was driving an excavator. “I was basically clearing the clay, and I hit a hump, and I thought it's just an abnormality in the ground, but then it got to another, 3 meters (10 feet) along, and it was a hump again. And then it went another 3 meters—hump again,” he tells BBC. Aware of previous discoveries in the area, he correctly wondered if they could be dinosaur footprints. “I thought I'm the first person to see them. And it was so surreal—a bit of a tingling moment, really.”

This led to the discovery of five trackways, unearthed by a team of over 100 scientists and volunteers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham. The researchers made casts of the tracks and took thousands of photographs to create 3D models of the site, as well as of individual footprints. Given that a shallow lagoon covered the area, researchers believe dinosaurs left their prints as they stepped in the mud. Still, they aren't entirely sure what led to the preservation of the footprints. One theory posits that there was possibly a storm that deposited sediments on top of the footprints, which kept them from being washed away.

The footprints date back to 166 million years ago, in the Middle Jurassic Period. To the delight of the researchers, they are so well preserved they were able to determine the particular species that left them. “The preservation is so detailed that we can see how the mud was deformed as the dinosaur’s feet squelched in and out,” says Dr. Duncan Murdock, Earth Scientist at Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH), via a statement.

Two different types of dinosaurs are behind these imprints: the Cetiosaurus, a gigantic sauropod with a long neck, and the Megalosaurus, a smaller, carnivore dinosaur with distinctive, large, three-toed feet with claws. One of the most thrilling parts of the discovery is that their paths once crossed, literally. “Scientists have known about and been studying Megalosaurus for longer than any other dinosaur on Earth, and yet these recent discoveries prove there is still new evidence of these animals out there, waiting to be found,” shares Dr. Emma Nicholls, Vertebrate Paleontologist at OUMNH.

So far, five paths have been unearthed–four belonging to the Cetiosaurs and one to the Megalosaurus. The longest trackway is 492 feet long but could extend much farther as researchers continue to look into it. “This is one of the most impressive track sites I've ever seen, in terms of scale, in terms of the size of the tracks,” explains Kirsty Edgar, a micropaleontologist from the University of Birmingham. “You can step back in time and get an idea of what it would have been like, these massive creatures just roaming around, going about their own business.”

Ultimately, the discovery opens new possibilities in the world of paleontology, as it offers a different insight into the lives of these creatures. “You can learn things about how that animal moved. You can learn exactly what the environment that it was living in was like. So tracks give us a whole different set of information that you can't get from the bone fossil record,” concludes Richard Butler, a paleobiologist from the University of Birmingham. “The really lovely thing about a dinosaur footprint, particularly if you have a trackway, is that it is a snapshot in the life of the animal.”

The biggest dinosaur trackway in the history of the UK was recently unearthed in a quarry.

Photo: University of Birmingham

It features nearly 200 footprints in multiple paths that cross the limestone ground, forming a “dinosaur highway.”

Photo: Dr. Luke Meade / University of Birmingham

The footprints date back to 166 million years ago, in the Middle Jurassic Period.

Photo: Emma Nicholls / Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Researchers made casts of the tracks and took thousands of photographs to create 3D models of the site, as well as of individual footprints.

Photo: Emma Nicholls / Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Given the area was covered by a shallow lagoon, researchers believe dinosaurs left their prints as they stepped in the mud.

Photo: Richard Butler

“The really lovely thing about a dinosaur footprint, particularly if you have a trackway, is that it is a snapshot in the life of the animal,” concludes Richard Butler, a paleobiologist from the University of Birmingham.

Photo: Dr. Luke Meade / University of Birmingham

Source: Britain’s ‘dinosaur highway’; UK's biggest ever dinosaur footprint site unearthed

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READ: Researchers Unearth 200 Massive Dinosaur Footprints in a Quarry in the UK

Photo: polsolee/Depositphotos

Many of us learn the names and order of all the planets in our Solar System from a very young age, though it's uncommon to witness them all at once (or perhaps ever) in the night sky. Most of the time we only get to see one or two at a time—such as Venus, regularly the brightest planet in the sky. However, a rare upcoming event will soon allow us to see seven planets in the sky at the same time for one night only.

On February 28, 2025, Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will all come together in a planetary event for the ages. We'll get to see all planets at the same time thanks to them being on the same side of the Sun simultaneously, something that doesn't occur often, particularly for these many planets at once.

While these events are known as alignments, it has more to do with all planets being together in the night sky rather than them literally aligning. After all, planets always appear on a line in the sky. This is known as the ecliptic, the plane in which all planets orbit around the Sun. The ecliptic also explains why planets seem to be so close to each other in the night sky despite being millions of miles away from one another. They also never form a neat straight line either, as some of their orbits are tilted a little above or below this plane.

That's not the only exciting planetary alignment coming up though. Before that, on January 21, all planets except Mercury will be shining at the same time. Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter will be visible to the naked eye, but you'll need powerful binoculars or a telescope to see Neptune and Uranus. Also, make sure to find yourself in a location free from tall buildings or high mountains, as they may cover the planets that are the lowest in the sky, such as Venus and Saturn, depending on your vantage point.

Even if you were to look up during a random night in January, you'd still encounter a very exciting sight—four planets shining brightly in the sky at the same time. NASA has said that while multi-planet viewing opportunities (like the four planets being viewable at the same time) aren’t super rare, they don’t happen every year, so it’s worth checking them out. That's why, even if you miss out on the larger alignments, you'll still have other opportunities see something amazing.

To stay up to date with more amazing astronomical events, make sure to visit NASA's website.

Soon, all seven planets will appear in the sky at the same time for one night only.

Photo: milangucci/Depositphotos

On February 28, 2025, Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will all be visible simultaneously.

Photo: rtfraser86@gmail.com/Depositphotos

We'll get to see all planets in our Solar System at the same time thanks to them being on the same side of the Sun—something that doesn't occur often, particularly for these many planets.

Photo: milangucci/Depositphotos

Sources: Planetary Alignment: What Is It? When Is the Next Planetary Alignment?; A Rare Alignment of 7 Planets Is About to Take Place in The Sky; What’s Up: January 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA

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You Can See Four Planets Shining Brightly in the Night Sky Every Night in January

JWST Discovers Icy Exoplanet That Looks Like an Eyeball May Have Liquid Ocean

Colorful Infographics Explore the Mysterious World of Exoplanets

Earth Is Temporarily Getting a “Mini-Moon” That Will Orbit Our Planet for the Next Two Months

READ: 7 Planets in Our Solar System Will Appear in the Sky at the Same Time for One Night Only

 

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Una publicación compartida por New York State Museum (@nysmuseum)

Can you imagine doing some work on your backyard only to then come across the remains of a long extinct animal? This happened to a family in Orange County, New York, who discovered a complete mastodon jaw while doing some yard work. This marks the first time in 11 years a finding of this kind has occurred.

The discovery took place after one of the family members spotted two teeth concealed by the fronds of a plant on the property. Upon further investigation, the homeowner unearthed two additional teeth just inches underground. Sensing they had come across something unique, the family took the items to the State University of New York (SUNY) Orange with hopes of learning what they could be. They were later put in touch with the New York State Museum, who sent staff to the site for further investigation.

“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” says the resident who uncovered the prehistoric remains in his backyard. “I'm thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”

Researchers from SUNY Orange and the New York State Museum excavated the area, which resulted in the unearthing of a full, well-preserved mastodon jaw that belonged to an adult animal, as well as a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment. The fossils will undergo carbon dating to help determine the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat during its lifetime.

“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region,” says Dr. Robert Feranec, director of Research & Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. “Fossils are resources that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to not only reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also provide us with better context and understanding of the current world around us.”

This finding is part of a longer story of discoveries of mastodon remains in New York state—150 fossils of these long extinct creatures have been found in the region, with about one-third taking place in Orange County. With this, scientists hope to continue piecing together information of the animals who called this area home during the Ice Age. According to the New York State Museum, these newly found fossils will be exhibited in 2025.

A family in Orange County, New York, discovered a complete mastodon jaw while doing some work in their backyard.

 

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Una publicación compartida por SUNY Orange (@suny_orange)

Source: First Mastodon Discovery in Over 11 Years: Stunning Prehistoric Find Unearthed in Orange County, New York; College is Part of Team Investigating Mastodon Find

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READ: Family Discovers Entire Mastodon Jaw Bones and Teeth While Doing Yard Work at Home

“The Old Man and the Mountain”
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Wildlife photographer, scientist, and world record seeker George Dian Balan has long been fascinated by big tusked elephants. These “big tuskers” have tusks so large that they reach the ground, but are exceedingly difficult to find in nature.

The big tuskers hearken back to the woolly mammoths of epochs past, seeming to come from another time. Through his award-winning wildlife photography and extensive database of Asian and African big tusked elephants, Dian is doing his part to bring attention to these incredible animals.

After publishing his book, The World As It Once Was, Dian has continued his quest to catalog these elephants, but living and dead. This has brought him to discover not one, but two World Records. This includes the record-breaking 3.26-meter-long (about 10.7-feet-long) tusks on display at the Riga Zoo. Thanks to his diligent work, the scientific community has more knowledge about the big tuskers and this, hopefully, will push forward more conservation efforts.

We had the opportunity to speak with Dian about his work and what drives his passion for these “big tuskers.” Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and to learn more about his work, you can follow George Dian Balan on Instagram.

“Quintessential Millionaire”

Where does your love of animals stem from?

I've been fascinated with wildlife ever since I can remember myself.

When I was a very young kid my parents and grandparents bought me hundreds of books in various fields and languages, from history and art to science. The ones that I cherished the most were the wildlife books, so they bought me more of those. My family wanted me to learn foreign languages and to keep me busy reading books.

“The River of Giants”

“Asian Jade Reflections”

What is it about elephants specifically that fascinates you?

I am in love with megafauna, and especially megaherbivores such as big tusked elephants, big horned rhinos, and big antlered giant moose. There is something primeval to them, they are so similar to woolly mammoths, woolly rhinos, and Ice Age giant deer, as they sport tusks, horns, and antlers of pretty much the same size as their Ice Age cousins! Being in the commanding presence of these giants of today feels for me like traveling back in time.

“Great Tusker Coconut Mandala”

“The Time of Mammoths is Now”

When did your relationship with photography begin, and how has it allowed you to further your interest in animals?

Photography can be a very powerful tool. It motivates me.

While about 20 years ago I was a clumsy photographer, I have been receiving awards for wildlife photography for 17 years. The last 10 years have been dedicated to the intensive study and photography of megafauna, with an emphasis on big tusked elephants.

“World Record Raja Reflections”

“World Record Raja Reflections”

Can you share the story of how you found the World Record-breaking Asian elephant tusks?

I have the biggest database in the world regarding big tusked Asian and African elephants.

One of the elephants who fascinated me the most was Raja the Great, featured in my book The World As It Once Was on page 260. He was from the tall, robustly built, high-domed, big-tusked genetic line of Asian elephants—the rarest and most impressive of their species. He passed away in 2013.

I first wrote to the Riga Zoo in 2018 and asked about Raja’s tusks and body measurements, as well as for access to personally measure his preserved skull and tusks. While I received partial measurements, I was not granted the permission to personally examine the specimen.

After a change in the management of the Riga Zoo, I re-submitted my request in 2022. It received a favorable answer, so I traveled and took comprehensive in-situ measurements of the skull and the tusks. On that occasion, I noted that the tusk measurements received in 2018 were erroneous, as they only concerned the part of the tusks outside of the huge skull (2.61 meters [8.56 feet] and 1.49 meters [4.89 feet], respectively). By examining cracks in the alveoli, I noticed that the tusks are in their anatomical position, and not only slightly inserted in the sockets, like in the case of most mammoths displayed in natural history museums.

Therefore, I could already note that the left tusk is the new all-time world record by length and I asked for permission to take the tusk out of the skull and properly measure it. The request was promptly granted and together with the team from the Riga Zoo I celebrated my birthday in 2023 by properly measuring this impressive tusk.

Raja’s left tusk is 3.26 meters [10.7 feet] on the outer curvature and it's the new all-time world record Asian elephant tusk by length, surpassing the former record, a tusk measuring 3.01 meters [9.88 feet], belonging to the Royal Thai elephant Chao Phraya Prapubkarn (which I also measured).

Half a year after this discovery, I went on a trip to India to examine some of the biggest tusked Asian elephants alive, held captive in various locations in Kerala. Amongst them is the magnificent Manissery Rajendran. His left tusk has a staggering circumference of 58 centimeters [22.83 inches] at the lip. This is the second new World Record that I discovered. For more than 100 years, the greatest recorded circumference was 56 centimeters, the Rowland Ward World Record Asian elephant tusk (by weight), which belonged to King George VI and was presented to him in 1911 by the Prime Minister of Nepal.

“58 cm World Record”

“Dusting Mammoth”

How does it feel to know you have a direct hand in preserving this sort of history?

My work in preserving these monuments of natural history has several dimensions.

First, visually documenting these giants as it has not been done before.

Second, creating the most extensive database of its kind in the world. It also comprises 3D scans of the top 10 biggest Asian elephant skulls, a project on which I work with a distinguished international team.

Third, I am helping create a genetic database with DNA samples from Asian big tuskers, both alive and who have already passed away. I am working on this project with Colossal, an initiative by Professor George Church from the Harvard genetics lab. By taking DNA samples and breaking the big ivory codes, it is hoped to create a genetic reserve for Asian large ivory carriers. This may also help gather the last pieces in the genetic puzzle of a cold-adapted elephant, a hybrid between Asian elephants and woolly mammoths, which could benefit from vast Arctic spaces in sparsely populated areas.

Fourth, I hope to help create new sanctuaries and protected areas where big tuskers could live and reproduce.

Finally, one day I would love to see my vision reflected in a museum designed by myself, which should also play an active role in saving the big tuskers that are still alive.

“Pecking Order 2”

“Window Into Africa”

What's the biggest issue right now for big tusked elephants and what can we do to help them?

The major challenge faced by African and Asian elephants today is the loss of genetic diversity by the elimination of big tuskers. In fact, only about 40 confirmed big tuskers are left from each species, with perhaps a hundred or so more possibly emerging.

Did you know that the longer the tusks, the healthier the elephant? By analyzing elephant dung in Southern India, Professor Raman Sukumar noted that bull elephants with longer tusks had fewer parasites (nematodes). These observations are confirmed by studies in other species where males possess secondary sexual traits such as long horns and antlers or dark manes.

Therefore, the biggest threats to big tuskers right now are trophy hunting (mostly for the Africans), isolation in captivity without reproductive opportunities (mostly for the Asians), poaching and habitat loss (for both species).

“Sketching a Mammoth”

“Mammoth Sunset”

What do you hope that people take away from your work?

Jacques -Yves Cousteau used to say, “People protect what they love.” I want to make people first aware of the existence of the big tuskers and then fall in love with these giants.

My portfolio of big tusked elephant images comprises more than 30 different images awarded in photography competitions around the world, usually multiple times. This is far more than any other photographer. I innovate a lot, offering fresh perspectives on new characters, and use all possible photographing techniques, including a plethora of remote and camera trap technologies. For instance, I am the first to photograph big tusked elephants from inside a baobab tree.

“Pecking Order”

What's next for you?

I have financed my megafauna-related research and photography by having other jobs. I spent a lot of money on my trips and helping local communities. I would love to make it self-financing, to be able to go full-time on researching and photographing megafauna, helping more local communities, creating at least one sanctuary and materializing a megafauna museum reflecting my vision. I hope to sell limited-edition fine art prints and books to help me in these endeavors. The award winning book The World As It Once Was can be ordered on Amazon and in various other places, and prints directly from me.

George Dian Balan: Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by George Dian Balan.

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READ: Photographer and Scientist Shares Majestic Beauty of “Big Tuskers” [Interview]

Photo: Radoslaw Ziomber via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

It's only the beginning of 2025, but some really exciting astronomical events are already happening for stargazers around the world. For starters, an amazing event is underway—one that can be easily seen with the naked eye. Throughout January, four planets will shine brightly in the night sky, forming a “planet parade” that you surely won't want to miss.

According to NASA, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will appear brightly in the sky the first couple of hours after dark. Venus and Saturn will be visible in the southwest, while Jupiter will be above them and Mars can be found to the east. If you have a telescope at hand, you'll be able to gaze at two more planets, Uranus and Neptune.

Planets always appear on a long a “line” in the sky, known as the ecliptic, which is the plane in which all planets orbit around the Sun. In turn, it's also the reason why planets seem to be so close to each other in the night sky. So the alignment of planets isn't actually what makes this celestial event so special. Instead, the real treat, NASA says, is seeing four or five bright planets at once—something that doesn't happen every year.

One of the most special elements of this event is seeing the conjunction of Venus and Saturn, which again, we owe to the ecliptic and our place in the solar system. These two planets, while millions of miles away from each other in space, will come within a couple of finger width's distance apart in the sky, with their closest encounter being on January 17 and 18 before they grow apart again.

Rounding out the thrilling celestial sight will be an extra bright Mars. The Red Planet will be reaching opposition, meaning that it will be directly opposite the Sun from Earth, forming a straight line and making it seem bigger than usual. This happens once every two years and while NASA says it's not scheduled to be one of the most exciting oppositions, Mars will still be closer than normal, making for a great opportunity to gaze at our neighboring planet. It will also be the only planet visible on January mornings—so you could at least grab a glimpse of that, should you miss the “planet parade” happening after dusk.

To stay up to date with more amazing astronomical events, make sure to visit NASA's website.

Throughout January, four planets will shine brightly in the night sky, forming a “planet parade”—a rare treat that doesn't happen every year.

Photo: F. Char/ESO via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

According to NASA, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will appear brightly in the sky the first couple of hours after dark.

Photo: spo0on via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: What’s Up: January 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA

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READ: You Can See Four Planets Shining Brightly in the Night Sky Every Night in January

Photo: Bárbara Fróes

It’s been established that art and craft activities positively impact mental health. It should come as no surprise, then, that arts and culture events are equally beneficial for physical and mental well-being.

New research conducted by Britain’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) demonstrates that attending or participating in an arts event, even if only occasionally or every few months, alleviates health symptoms such as pain, depression, and medication dependency, among others. Researchers revealed that music had a particularly strong link to an improved quality of life.

The DCMS study focused on 13 different groups of people, all of whom ranged in age from young to old. Evidence ultimately concluded that health and wellbeing improved when pursuing or attending activities related to the arts. A cited example was “Thursday at the Museum” drawing classes, during which participants over 65 years old reported greater life satisfaction after attending weekly for three months.

“Arts engagement has diverse and tangible effects on health,” Prof. Daisy Fancourt, the director of the WHO center and a co-author of the study, told The Guardian, “from supporting cognitive development and protecting against cognitive decline, to reducing symptoms of mental illness and enhancing wellbeing, reducing pain and stress, reducing loneliness, and maintaining physical functioning.”

By enhancing a participant’s overall well-being, arts and culture initiatives also reduce strain on the healthcare system. The participants of “Thursday at the Museum,” for example, created a financial dividend of £1,310 (about $1,643) per person, given that they felt better through the drawing classes and thus visited their doctors less frequently.

“[This] suggests that not only could further arts investment be valuable for individuals and the health service as part of a preventative health agenda, but also any cuts to arts funding or provision have to be considered a public health risk,” Fancourt continues.

These findings solidify just how relevant arts and cultural engagement is not only to individuals but entire communities. To learn more, check out DCMS’s full report.

A new study solidifies that participating in arts and culture events have positive health benefits.

Photo: Ardian Lumi

Musical participation was linked most strongly with a positive impact on people's quality of life.

Photo: Alev Takil

By engaging with arts and culture, people ultimately experienced better physical and mental health, reducing the strain on the healthcare system.

Photo: Mitchell Luo

Sources: Culture And Heritage Capital: Monetising The Impact Of Culture And Heritage On Health And Wellbeing; Consuming arts and culture is good for health and wellbeing, research finds

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READ: New Research Reveals That Participating in Arts and Culture Events Positively Impacts Physical and Mental Health

The holidays are all about the people you spend them with—not so much about where you are. This perfectly applies to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, who celebrated Christmas and New Year's Eve in orbit. Hoping to share their experience, as well as send some seasonal cheer down to Earth, the crew got together to wish everybody a happy holiday season in a joyful video.

“It's a great time of year up here,” says Expedition 72 commander Sunita “Suni” Williams. She is joined in the video by astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore, Don Pettit, and Nick Hague, and a snowman made out of stowage bags. “We get to spend it with all of our family up on the International Space Station. There's seven of us up here, and so we're going to get to enjoy company together,” the astronaut shares,  referring to the three Roscosmos cosmonauts, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, aboard the ISS.

To get in the holiday spirit, Williams donned reindeer antlers and a red pullover, while Hague, Pettit, and Wilmore wore Santa caps, with Wilmore placing his over a cowboy hat. To round the festive scene, the team posed next to a small artificial Christmas tree before releasing some candy canes and ornaments featuring pictures of their loved ones onto zero gravity.

“In Christmas time, the holiday season, it's about spending time with friends and family and loved ones. This year, we're going to be in orbit away from them,” says Hague, who is expected to return to Earth in March after some delays in the spacecraft set to retrieve him and Williams.

The astronaut then acknowledged the hard work of the ground teams, which work around the clock to keep everything running smoothly. “We're not the only ones that are going to spend time away from our families over the holidays. There's a huge team on the ground that's going to support us in mission controls around the globe,” Hague added. “I want to thank them for the sacrifices that they're making. Together, we work hand-in-hand with the ground every day, and over the holidays we keep this mission going,” he said.

The team later marked the New Year in a way only astronauts aboard the ISS can. “The Expediton 72 crew orbited into 2025 experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets over 250 miles above the Earth,” the ISS notes on Instagram. Hague also reflected on the year with his own post. “Looking back on the year, it’s been pretty spectacular!” he writes. “We have accomplished much as the @iss continues conducting scientific exploration for all humanity as we look ahead to a future full of promise and possibility. Happy 2025!”

The astronauts aboard the International Space Station wished everybody a happy holiday season in a joyful video.

 

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Una publicación compartida por International Space Station (@iss)

The team later marked the New Year in a way only astronauts aboard the ISS can—by experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets over 250 miles above Earth.

 

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Una publicación compartida por International Space Station (@iss)

Astronaut Nick Hague also reflected on the year with his own post. “Looking back on the year, it’s been pretty spectacular!” he writes.

 

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Una publicación compartida por NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (@astrohague)

Source: Space Station Astronauts Deliver a Christmas Message for 2024

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READ: NASA Astronauts Aboard the International Space Station Send Festival Holiday Greeting

Photo: NASA / Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

There are many stories of historical treasures hiding for decades in attics and cupboards around the world, but few match what was found in a closet in Ohio in 2012. A few months after the death of Neil Armstrong, his widow, Carol, came across a white bag in a closet. Upon closer inspection, she found tiny parts that looked like they could have belonged to a spaceship. In the end, it wasn't just any spaceship but a collection of items from the Lunar Module Eagle of the Apollo 11 mission.

The astronaut's widow reached out to Allan Needell, the Apollo curator at the National Air and Space Museum, who had visited her a few weeks earlier to make an inventory of the items the Armstrong family intended to donate to the National Collection. “I received an email from Carol Armstrong that she had located in one of Neil's closets a white cloth bag filled with assorted small items that looked like they may have come from a spacecraft,” Needell wrote in a blog post in 2015. “Needless to say, for a curator of a collection of space artifacts, it is hard to imagine anything more exciting.”

The white bag, which made the trip to the Moon, is known as a Temporary Stowage Bag or “McDivitt purse,” after the Apollo 9 astronaut who asked for a bag to put away objects when astronauts didn't have time to go to fixed stowage locations. Armstrong's bag contained the waist tether he used to support his feet during the only rest period he got on the Moon, utility lights and their brackets, equipment netting, a mirror made of metal, an emergency wrench, the optical sight that was mounted above Armstrong's window and, most importantly, the 16mm data acquisition camera (DAC) that recorded the footage of the lander's final approach. All of these were bound for the same fate—being destroyed when the Eagle crashed into the lunar surface after serving its purpose.

Since the crew had to account for any added weight for the return trajectory, Armstrong didn't simply sneak the bag. Mission transcripts record Armstrong telling command module Columbia pilot Michael Collins about it. “You know, that—that one's just a bunch of trash that we want to take back—LM parts, odds and ends, and it won't stay closed by itself. We'll have to figure something out for it.” Later, the bag would be described to mission control as “odds and ends” and “10 pounds of LM miscellaneous equipment.”

While it's unclear how Armstrong retained possession after the mission, he wasn't the only astronaut to keep mementos from his trip to the Moon. Apparently, it's so common that in 2012, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law granting NASA's Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo crew members “full ownership rights” to their space artifacts.

Today, the data acquisition camera is on display at the National Air and Space Museum after Armstrong's widow donated it in 2019, alongside its power cable. Other items are listed as “promised gifts.” Still, the fact that the astronaut saved these items from the dark emptiness of space is enough of a gift for those who have long been fascinated by the historic moon landing.

In 2012, Neil Armstrong's widow found a bag of mementos from Apollo 11 that the astronaut had kept stowed away in a closet at his home.

Photo: NASA / Carol Armstrong / ALSJ

Source: Lunar Surface Flown Apollo 11 Artifacts From the Neil Armstrong Estate

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READ: After His Death, Neil Armstrong’s Widow Found a Bag of Space Artifacts in His Closet

Photo: Олег Мороз

Fireworks won’t be the only thing lighting up the night sky during the new year. The Quadrantid meteor shower will be making a short-lived yet nonetheless dazzling appearance in January 2025, with its peak anticipated on the late evening of January 2 and into the early morning hours of January 3.

According to NASA, the Quadrantids are considered one of the best annual meteor showers, gracing skies with bright fireball meteors each year in early January. Unlike other meteor showers, however, the Quadrantids last only a few hours, but what the shower lacks in duration it makes up for in sheer quantity.

“During its peak, 60 to as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions,” NASA explains.

Luckily, weather and moonlight conditions this year are expected to be favorable. The Moon is slated to be 11% full this coming week, creating a dim sky ideal for stargazing.

Those in the Northern Hemisphere will be even luckier: this is where the Quadrantids are most visible.

“To view the Quadrantids, find an area well away from the city or street lights,” NASA says. “Lie flat on your back with your feet facing northeast and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors.”

The Quadrantids aren’t the only celestial spectacle coming up. On Sunday, January 12, Mars will reach its closest point to Earth since 2022. During this time, Mars will be at its biggest and brightest and, shortly thereafter, will enter its annual opposition. This phase involves Mars, Earth, and the Sun being completely aligned, making the Red Planet all the more prominent and illuminated.

The Lyrids will arrive after the Quadrantids in mid- to late-April 2025. The meteor shower isn’t nearly as explosive or strong, but it typically lasts up to three nights.

To stay updated on upcoming celestial events, check out the American Meteor Society’s calendar.

The Quadrantid meteor shower will be gracing night skies in early January, with its peak expected on the late-night of January 2.

Photo: John Zhou via Unsplash.

The Quadrantids are one of the best annual meteor showers and, at their peak, as many as 60 to as many as 200 meteors can be seen per hour.

Photo: Chong Wei via Unsplash.

There's another celestial spectacle to look forward to as well: Mars will be at its biggest and brightest this January.

Image of Mars in August 2021. (Photo: Kevin Gill via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

Sources: Meteor Shower Calendar 2024-2025; Quadrantids; Mars opposition 2025: How to see the Red Planet at its biggest and brightest

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READ: Dazzling Quadrantid Meteor Shower Will Light Up the Night Sky This New Year

Photo: thaka11/Depositphotos

If you're a dog parent, you know this scene all too well—you're on a walk with your pup and they suddenly stop to sniff something. Those in a rush may find it annoying, but there's much more to it than your dog being easily distracted—it's vital for their wellbeing. Not only does sniffing help your dog learn about their environment, but it also keeps them happy and sharp.

The canine sense of smell is much more powerful than ours. Dogs' noses have up to 300 million scent receptors, an incredible fifty times more than the six million humans possess. On top of that, dogs sniff five to 10 times per second, something we only do once every 1.5 seconds. As such, dogs’ noses are the primary way in which they navigate their environment, making it critical for them to take their time to sniff around.

“Imagine someone taking you to an art gallery, then blindfolding you. You wouldn’t get much out of it, would you? I imagine that’s how it is for dogs that are rushed along on walks without the opportunity to stop and sniff,” professional dog trainer and veterinary technician Staci Lemke tells American Kennel Club. That's why she recommends “sniff-centric walks” where dogs can gather and process information about their surroundings.

Making smell the main element of a walk—rather than exercise or potty time—has some benefits. First, it's great for putting their brain to work and fighting boredom, as they put effort in processing the information they've gathered. This will actually tire them more than a walk where sniffing is kept to a minimum. Also, since smell is one of the main ways dogs acquire knowledge, they are being updated about what's going on around them while sniffing. As their curiosity is eased by checking out everything through smell, they'll feel fulfilled and more relaxed.

Sniff walks are especially important for city dogs without yards and anxious pups who may benefit from making sure an area is safe. As pets are usually subject to their human's schedule and space, Lemke sees a “sniff-centric walk” as a calming opportunity for dogs to unwind. Letting your pet set the rhythm may release mood-boosting dopamine in their brains. “If we can find a safe place where these dogs can let their guard down and explore using their noses, it can greatly reduce the amount of stress in their lives,” says Lemke.

While not all walks have to be dictated by a sniff-loving pooch, they can greatly benefit from them. Should you and your dog give it a try, Lemke recommends fitting them with a harness and long line (rather than a retractable leash) and looking for a location with a lot of grass, trees, and bushes to pique their interest. Ultimately, the most important thing is to remind yourself who the walk is for, and to be patient while your pet examines the area. After all, this is the way they make sense of the world, and by letting them sniff, you're truly letting your dog be a dog.

Does your dog love to stop and sniff around during walks? Experts think you should let them, as it has many benefits for their wellbeing.

Photo: Kallihora/Depositphotos

Not only does sniffing help your dog learn about their environment, but it also calms them and gets their brain working.

Photo: KM-Photography/Depositphotos

You can go on “sniff-centric walks,” where your dog can gather and process information about their surroundings on their own time.

Photo: bepsimage/Depositphotos

Source: Do Dogs Sniff to Get Their ‘Social Media’ Fix?

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READ: Letting Your Dog Sniff on Walks Calms Them and Helps Them Learn About Their Environment