Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. To receive it in your inbox, make sure to sign up for free here.
The cosmos is filled with unexpected and astonishing surprises waiting to be discovered.
State-of-the-art observatories such as the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, along with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, are equipped to see the universe in various wavelengths of light. These telescopes unveil new details that are beyond the capacity of the human eye.
The combined capabilities of the powerful telescopes allowed for the unveiling of astonishing celestial mysteries, such as the finding of the oldest black hole ever and the observation of colliding galaxy clusters that twinkle like a Christmas tree.
Meanwhile, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft, on its mission to explore the solar system, revealed new secrets orbiting around a space rock named Dinkinesh in the main asteroid belt.
In addition, a new telescope recently opened our eyes to a fresh perspective of the universe.
The Euclid telescope, designed to create the most detailed 3D map of the “dark side” of the universe, captured striking images of glimmering clusters of galaxies and stars. The wide field of the Euclid telescope allows for the capture of a single image that includes 1,000 galaxies within the Perseus Cluster.
The telescope also shared a highly detailed panoramic view of the Horsehead Nebula in the Orion constellation, a stellar nursery where young planets may be hiding.
In Southern Italy, the Campi Flegrei supervolcano might be reawakening. Intensifying seismic activity has been detected since December 2022, raising concern about the potential for an eruption in the densely populated region.
The Nature Conservancy’s 2023 Global Photo Contest unveiled a world of awe-inspiring and thought-provoking images. From whimsical images of fish digging colorful holes to moments where fall meets winter, the photos captured extraordinary scenes of nature.
A collection of letters intended for the crew of the French warship Galatée 265 years ago, during the Seven Years’ War, provides intriguing insights into the family dynamics of the 18th century.
Researchers recently conducted erosion tests on clay-model yardangs in an effort to unravel the mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Their findings add evidence to the theory that suggests wind played a role in shaping the awe-inspiring sculpture.
For more intriguing reads, including a discovery of Roman coins, plans to send a wooden satellite into space, and the creation of a chimeric monkey by scientists in China, sign up here to receive the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world. Discover more CNN news and newsletters by creating an account at CNN.com.
