Top Scientific Discoveries in 2020
One thing that fascinates me in the science world is that no matter how in awe we are about a former discovery, something new always proves that we have more to uncover. 2020 was a year full of history-making events such as the Coronavirus and a democracy threatening election, but nonetheless science did not take a back seat. I listed a few of the top scientific discoveries in 2020 to give you a glimpse of what is going on around us.
1. A Humming Mars
After making it to the moon, we are now looking to mars, not just to explore it but find out if humans can find a second home on the planet. We can look at mars in numerous different ways. From satellite images to even an entry level telescope. Of course, however, you’ll need to align all of your telescope components, which is also known as collimation, if you want to get a real good look at Mars. In previous years, we learned about Mars with the use of the Mars Rover. Now, in more recent years, the insight lander arrived on Mars in November 2018, and thanks to it, scientists started to receive more information about the planet this year. One of the strangest discoveries is that Mars appears to be in a constant marsquake, which causes a rattle on the planet.
Although the earth has many similar sounds, this one is slightly different as its pitch is way higher. Earth's roars are caused by waves and winds, especially along the seashore, but we are yet to find out where the rattles on Mars come from.
2. The Oldest Material on Earth
I often wonder where earth came from, even with all the theories that try to describe its origin. To add something else to my plate of questionings, the newly discovered material on earth, older than our solar system, was discovered in 2020. Before our sun was born, a dying start spread its dust in the universe, some of which was trapped on a meteorite that later collided with the earth. This dust merged with other rocks in the probable Murchison meteorite.
The meteorite lit up the skies above Australia in September 1969 and landed on the earth. Professional analysis on the meteorite has been going on, with the recent discovery being stardusts dated as far back as 4.6 to 7 billion years. According to scientists, these dust types account for only 5% of what makes up a meteorite, but it still could be a trustable pathway to clarifying earth's history.
3. Tyrannosaurs’ Embryos
Among the many historical animal species that ever existed, dinosaurs take on an interest of their own. This is why a discovery as the new tyrannosaurs is something worth a celebration. The tyrants are so small that they haven't freed themselves from their shells. Researchers discovered them in two different locations, in Albert, Canada, and Montana.
These tyrants are 71 to 75 million years old, proving that such tyrannosaurs started very small, almost three feet long. The size is as tiny as its adult's tooth, explaining why it took this long for scientists to find such little tyrants.
4. Betelgeuse’s Dimming Light Explained
I was surprised when I discovered that, like humans, stars get born and die. This was the theory that most scientists projected on the star Betelgeuse when it dimmed its light in December 2019. The change was a significant scientific concern since the star is among the brightest in the sky. If the theory was right in this case, then the star would have exploded, creating a light brighter than a full moon in the dark sky.
However, in 2020, NASA finally found a more viable reason, explaining that the star burped. It sent out an extremely hot plasma jet, which later cooled, making its dust cover the start from earth's view. The star is back as bright as it was, and I'll have to brace myself for the long-awaited fiery extinction.
5. New Caves Pushing Back Americas Arrival
Many archaeologists place the first human arrival in the Americas close to 13,500 years ago. This is mostly in line with the first ice sheet recede and Asian migration routes. However, the discovery of stone objects inside the Chiquihuite Cave in Mexico hints otherwise. According to the recent findings, humans might have made it to the Americas over 30,000 years ago.
Wrapping it Up
You might not be a fan of history and science, but we all admit that such findings have made us rethink our ancestry or at least clarify it. Therefore, I’m always waiting for the next scientific findings, although we have a lot to work with. I hope we keep receiving more discoveries as the years go by.