These award-winning photos are sure to make you laugh
Thank you for joining us on an adventure of discovery through the wonders of space and science. Thank you for taking the time to read Wonder Theory and share your thoughts – we love seeing what you have to say.
And thank you for being curious. I view curiosity as a gift. We all had it as children, but it seems to be one of the easiest things to lose as we get older. It’s been a pleasure to continue to be curious with all of you every week.
Wild Kingdom
There’s nothing better than adorable animals captured on film in just the right moment.
In addition to giving you a good laugh and something to share with whatever company is staying with you on vacation, the award supports a huge cause.
This year’s competition will donate 10% of its total net sales to Save Wild Orangutans, which works to protect wild orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo. Now that’s a good reason to feel warm and fuzzy.
Dino-mite!
The fossil of one of State Show-Me’s dinosaurs, identified as Parrosaurus missouriensis, was discovered in October.
Specimens of the platypus were unearthed after a multi-year process that began in 2017.
The excavation site could provide even more information about the ancient environment and what exactly lived there millions of years ago.
Another world
It’s the small helicopter that can be, and we’re glad it’s still around. Let’s hear that for the Ingenuity Helicopter, which continues to soar high above Mars and surpass expectations.
We kicked off the Wonder Theory newsletter by sharing the excitement about Ingenuity’s first flight over the red planet in April.
Since then, the helicopter has made 15 more flights, and it is helping the Perseverance rover explore Mars in unprecedented ways.
Dig this
Sometimes, that fascinating find is really just a log in the lake. Another time, it was a 1,200-year-old canoe. That’s what divers have discovered and recreated at Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin.
The people who built the canoes in what is now Dane County were the ancestors of the Ho-Chunk Nation, commonly known as “The Man of the Divine Voice.”
Over the next two years, researchers will work to preserve and protect the canoe before it is put on display.
Go green
Christmas is coming, and for many people, this weekend is all about trees.
Some families prefer to choose a fresh tree that will fill the house with the scent of pine trees, while others enjoy the reliability of a reusable artificial tree.
Never fear: We asked experts to share the pros and cons of each to help you make a decision before picking your perfect tree this year.
Marvel
A little more fun before you go: