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Phil Plait

Bad Astronomy

Santa goes viral

The newly described pterosaur Eotephradactylus mcintireae is seen eating an ancient ray-finned fish alongside an early species of turtle and an early frog species, with the skeleton of an armored crocodile relative lying on the ground and a palm-like plant growing in the background. (Image Credit: Brian Engh) 

pterosaur Eotephradactylus mcintireae

Learn more about Eotephradactylus mcintireae, the oldest Late Triassic Pterosaur in North America that was about the size of sea gull.

This Pterosaur Lived Over 200 Million Years Ago in Arizona and Was the Size of a Sea Gull

Kilauea, which is part of the hot spot in Hawaii, was once near a BLOBS before it shifted away millions of years ago. 

(Image Credit: Chelsi de Cuba/Shutterstock) 

Volcano eruption at Kilauea at night

Learn more about BLOBS, mantel plumes 1,500 miles into Earth's mantel that contribute to massive volcanic eruptions on the surface. 

BLOBS 1,500 Miles into Earth's Mantle May Cause Massive Volcanic Eruptions on the Surface

The Seven Sisters (Image Credit: Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock)

The pleiades open star cluster

On July 20, 2025, the Seven Sisters celestial event will be visible across the United States and Canada. 

The Seven Sisters Eclipse Will Temporarily Block Stars From View

A moderately eroded fluvial sinuous ridge (FSR), with lots of small craters in it, that stands out clearly above the surrounding material. To the north east it emerges from a small valley and becomes progressively clearer to the west, until it disappears. There is a clear curve in the FSR, likely a meander. North of the FSR is a round, flat feature that was likely an impact crater which was filled with water or sediment. CTX image: MurrayLab_V01_E020_N-20_Mosaic (Image Credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS/The Murray Lab)

Fluvial sinous ridge on Mars

Researchers examining Noachis Terra in Mars’ southern highlands found evidence of extensive river networks – some hundreds of kilometers long.

Ancient Riverbeds on Mars Suggest the Planet Was Wetter and More Complex Than Previously Thought

Four jadeite tubular beads showing live and dead spider monkeys.
(Image Courtesty of Caracol Archeological Project/University of Houston)


jadeite figures

Learn more about Te K’ab Chaak, the first Maya king from Caracol whose tomb is rewriting the history of Maya-Mesoamerica relations.

1,600-Year-Old Tomb of Maya King Wearing a Jade Death Mask Discovered in Belize

Woolly rhinoceros or Elasmotheriinae, one of the ancient rhino species mentioned in this study.
(Image Credit: aleks1949/Shutterstock) 

Santa goes viral

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