Welcome back to our regular science news roundup with our friends from NPR’s Short Wave podcast, Regina Barber and Berly McCoy. This week, we have three exciting science stories that caught our attention.
First up, we have the discovery of a new species of dinosaur named Lokiceratops rangiformis. This dinosaur has horns on its head that resemble those on the helmet of the Norse god Loki. It was found in northern Montana and is a part of a diverse group of ceratops species that were rapidly evolving during the late Cretaceous period.
Moving on to a wildlife success story, we have the Iberian lynx, a medium-sized wild cat that was once critically endangered. Thanks to conservation efforts, the lynx population has rebounded from about 60 mature cats to over 2,000. This success story highlights the importance of restoring habitat and protecting prey species like the European white rabbit.
Lastly, we have an impending star explosion in a star system called T Coronae Borealis, which is 3,000 light years away from Earth. This event, known as a nova, is expected to be visible to the naked eye this summer and is a rare occurrence that happens once every 80 years. Astronomers are excited to study this event and gain insights into novae.
These three stories showcase the diversity and wonder of the natural world, from the ancient past of dinosaurs to the present-day conservation efforts and the mysteries of the cosmos. Stay tuned for more fascinating science news from NPR’s Short Wave podcast.
