Coating satellites with super-black paint Vantablack could help fight light pollution crisis

Meet the southern cassowary—a massive, flightless bird that looks like it stepped straight out of the dinosaur age. With legs built like tree trunks and dagger-like claws, these creatures aren’t just relics of the past; they’re living, breathing reminders of how wild nature can be. Think of them as the closest thing we’ve got to a modern-day velociraptor, minus the Hollywood hype.

Editor’s Note: Cassowaries might seem like something from a Jurassic Park sequel, but they’re very real—and they’re a fascinating example of how ancient traits survive in today’s world. Their existence helps scientists (and the rest of us) piece together the puzzle of evolution, while also highlighting the importance of protecting unique species that don’t fit neatly into our modern ecosystems. Plus, who doesn’t want to know about a bird that could’ve gone toe-to-toe with a T. rex?

Even for a former Navy SEAL turned doctor turned astronaut, life on the International Space Station can be surprisingly humbling. This week, with a delayed crew arrival cutting back on planned work, the Expedition 73 team had a quieter schedule—just routine science and maintenance. Turns out, space doesn’t care about your résumé; sometimes, you just have to wait.

Editor’s Note: Space missions are meticulously planned, but delays and adjustments are part of the reality. This story is a reminder that even the most elite professionals—like an astronaut with a SEAL and medical background—have to adapt to the unpredictable nature of life off Earth. It’s a relatable human moment in an otherwise high-stakes environment.

Scientists have discovered that two 14,000-year-old "puppies" preserved in Siberian permafrost were actually young wolf sisters. Their last meal? A hearty helping of woolly rhino—an unexpected menu choice that gives us a fascinating peek into Ice Age predator behavior.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky ancient animal story—it’s a clue about how wolves survived in harsh Ice Age environments. The fact that they ate woolly rhino (a massive, tough prey) suggests these wolves were either bold scavengers or skilled hunters, reshaping our understanding of their role in the ecosystem. Plus, it’s a reminder that nature’s leftovers can tell incredible stories if we know how to listen.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has done it again—this time, snapping a rare direct image of an ancient, icy exoplanet cruising on a weird, distant orbit. Scientists are calling it one of the coldest, faintest, and oldest planets ever photographed, adding another jaw-dropping discovery to JWST’s growing list of cosmic wins.

Editor’s Note: Finding a planet this old and chilly isn’t just cool (pun intended)—it’s a big deal for understanding how planetary systems form and evolve over billions of years. The fact that JWST can spot something so faint and far away hints at how much more we’re about to learn about the universe’s hidden corners. Buckle up—this telescope is just getting started.

Turns out, purple isn't quite as "real" as we think—it's more of a brain trick than a true color of the rainbow. Unlike other colors that map neatly to specific wavelengths of light, purple is a perceptual mashup our brains create when they see both red and blue at once. Scientists say it's a "non-spectral" color, meaning you won't find it in a pure beam of light.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a fun fact for art class—it messes with how we understand perception itself. If something as basic as "purple" is a mental construct, it makes you wonder what else our brains might be editing or inventing without us realizing. Kind of trippy when you think about it.