☕️ Something May Have Visited the Solar System and Rearranged the Planets.

Good morning. Look up this weekend! The Geminid meteor shower will peak: Here's what to expect from the last big meteor shower of the year.

It is possible to see up to 120 meteors per hour under dark conditions when the Geminids peak each year.

Unfortunately for skywatchers this year, the almost full moon could interfere with shooting star-hunting efforts when the Geminid meteor shower peaks overnight on Dec.13 -14. But while the moonlight will wash out the fainter meteors, it'll still be possible to see some of the bigger and brighter meteors, so it's definitely worth a look if you have clear skies.

The Geminid meteor shower is caused by debris from near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon — a peculiar asteroid that exhibits comet-like behavior and completes its orbit around the sun roughly every 1.4 years.

Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

🌌 Scientists Say Something May Have Visited the Solar System and Rearranged the Planets. A new study proposes that a massive interstellar object, possibly up to 50 times the mass of Jupiter, could have disrupted the orbits of the planets in our solar system billions of years ago. This event may explain anomalies in planetary positions that gravitational interactions alone cannot account for. “It’s an intriguing hypothesis that challenges our understanding of solar system dynamics,” says the study’s lead researcher. The findings are not yet peer-reviewed but add to ongoing discussions about cosmic visitors' impact on planetary formation.

☀️ Violent superflares explode from sun-like stars every 100 years. Astronomers have identified superflares on Sunlike stars that release immense energy, potentially disrupting planetary atmospheres and life. These events may occur once every 100 years on average. Dr. Yuta Notsu explained, "Understanding these superflares helps us estimate their potential impact on Earth and guide our space weather predictions."

💡 Unlocking the 4th Dimension: Space-Time Crystals Unleash New Power Over Light. Physicists have discovered a way to manipulate light using space-time crystals, materials that maintain periodic properties in both space and time. This breakthrough could revolutionize optical computing and communications. "The ability to control light so precisely opens entirely new technological pathways," said Dr. Elena Kuznetsova.

⚛️ A Physics Discovery So Strange It’s Changing Quantum Theory. A groundbreaking experiment involving strange quantum metals has revealed properties that defy existing theoretical models. MIT physicists have made significant progress in understanding how electrons can split into fractional charges. Their findings reveal the conditions that create exotic electronic states in graphene and other two-dimensional materials. This new research builds on a recent discovery by another MIT team led by Assistant Professor Long Ju. Ju’s group observed that electrons seem to carry “fractional charges” in pentalayer graphene—a structure made of five stacked graphene layers placed on a similar sheet of boron nitride. These findings challenge the standard framework of quantum mechanics and hint at new states of matter. Dr. Michael Johnson stated, "This discovery has profound implications for quantum theory and materials science."

TECH

🧮 50 Logical Qubits Entangled: Quantinuum Sets a New Quantum Computing Record. Quantinuum has achieved a record by entangling 50 logical qubits, a significant milestone in quantum computing. This development promises enhanced error correction and computational power. Dr. Rajeeb Hazra noted, "This breakthrough demonstrates the scalability of quantum architectures for solving complex problems."

🛰️ Space Force to Test Modular Satellite Technology in Upcoming Mission. The U.S. Space Force will test modular satellite technology as part of its TacRS program, aimed at rapid satellite deployment. This innovation allows plug-and-play payload integration for tactical missions. Col. Bryon McClain stated, "Modular interfaces could transform satellite deployment speed and flexibility."

📱 Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds. A Pew Research study showed half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters said they visit YouTube every day. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. This small decline could be due to pandemic-era restrictions easing up and kids having more time to see friends in person, but it’s not enough to be truly meaningful.

HEALTH

🧬 New Study Finds Alarming Link Between Air Pollution and Dangerous Blood Clots. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to a significantly higher risk of venous thromboembolism, according to a 17-year study of over 6,000 U.S. adults. Participants exposed to higher levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide showed a 121% to 174% increased risk of these potentially fatal blood clots. Dr. Pamela Lutsey of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute stated, “The findings underscore the urgent need to address air pollution as a public health concern.”

🥩 Trans Fats Are Worse Than You Think: A New Threat Beyond Cholesterol. Research from the Salk Institute reveals that trans fats may contribute to cardiovascular disease through their incorporation into sphingolipids, independent of cholesterol levels. This study found that trans fats promote arterial plaque formation by altering lipid metabolism, opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions. “This discovery highlights the hidden dangers of trans fats beyond cholesterol,” said Professor Christian Metallo, the study’s lead author.

🍬 Scientists Discover Genetic Key to Reducing Sugar Cravings. Researchers have identified a gene, FGF21, that plays a crucial role in controlling sugar cravings. This gene's activity can be influenced to reduce excessive sugar consumption, offering hope for combating obesity and diabetes. "This could redefine how we address dietary habits on a genetic level," said Dr. Timothy Frayling.

SPACE

🌀 Black Hole Jet Emits Mysterious Object Spotted by Chandra Telescope. A mysterious object traveling at nearly the speed of light has been detected within a black hole jet. This discovery challenges existing theories of black hole physics. "Such phenomena provide critical insights into relativistic jet mechanics," explained Dr. Brad Snios from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

🌌 Astronomers Discover 7 New 'Dark Comets': A New Cosmic Puzzle. Astronomers have identified seven previously unknown "dark comets" that defy traditional cometary classification. These findings may reshape our understanding of solar system bodies. Dr. Daryl Seligman remarked, "Dark comets challenge conventional paradigms about how celestial objects evolve."

🌕 Astronomer Captures Possible Geminid Meteors Smashing Into the Moon. A Japanese astronomer recently captured flashes on the Moon during the Geminid meteor shower, believed to be meteor impacts. These observations offer insights into lunar geology and impact dynamics. "The Moon serves as a natural laboratory for studying the effects of meteoroid collisions," said Daichi Fujii, curator at Hiratsuka City Museum.

CLIMATE

🧊 Plan to Refreeze Arctic Gathers Momentum with Real Ice Prototypes. A plan to combat Arctic melting involves using reflective materials to restore ice cover and mitigate climate impacts. Early tests show promise in reversing warming trends. "This is a bold step toward addressing one of the most visible consequences of climate change," said Dr. Victoria Herrmann, Arctic expert.

☀️ Unprecedented Global Heat Wave “Hotspots” Shatter Climate Models, Kill Tens of Thousands. Recent research shows extreme heat waves across Europe, Canada, and Asia are outpacing climate model predictions, with devastating impacts on human health and ecosystems. “These regions become temporary hothouses,” noted lead author Kai Kornhuber, emphasizing the inadequacy of current models to predict such extremes. The study highlights the pressing need for global climate action.

WORLD

🦀 Boiling Alive: Scientific Proof That Crabs Feel Pain Sparks Calls for Humane Seafood Practices. A study confirms that crabs experience pain when boiled, prompting debates about ethical treatment of seafood. Dr. Robert Elwood stated, "We now have irrefutable evidence that crabs have nociceptors capable of registering pain, demanding ethical changes in seafood practices."

🚜 Farmers Say Intelligent Tractors "Acted Like They Were Demon Possessed" After Signal Out of Space. Farmers in the Midwest are battling mysterious GPS failures, rendering their automated tractors useless during harvest. Experts suggest GPS jamming or interference as the likely cause. Dr. Greg Akers remarked, "This highlights the vulnerability of agriculture's dependence on technology and the need for robust backup systems."

🧪 Amid Cuts to Basic Research, New Zealand Scraps All Support for Social Sciences. New Zealand has redirected research funds from social sciences to projects focused on economic development, sparking criticism. Sociologist Paul Spoonley warned, "This decision overlooks the critical role of social sciences in addressing societal challenges." Māori-led research has been disproportionately affected, raising equity concerns.