Editor's note: A version of this story appeared in CNN's science newsletter Wonder Theory. To receive it in your inbox, Register for free here.
Dinosaurs are all around us, figuratively and literally speaking.
Most of these diverse creatures became extinct 66 million years ago, but the ancient ancestors of modern birds are ingrained in the fabric of both scientific intrigue and pop culture.
Colorful dinosaurs romp around in animated shows - and their more lifelike counterparts in 'Jurassic Park' offer a menacing 'what if' look at life alongside the enormous reptiles.
Paleontologists discover dozens of previously unknown dinosaur species every year, enriching the picture of what the world was like before humans set foot there.
Scientists don't always get it right the first time when they try to imagine long-extinct creatures by piecing their bones together.
But imagine living in a time - just 200 years ago - when the existence of dinosaurs was not yet widely known.
Dino-mite!
When huge fossilized bones were found protruding from slate quarries in Oxfordshire, England, in the late 17th century, people thought they were once part of a Roman war elephant. The concept of dinosaurs, and even the word dinosaur, was centuries away from reaching the public imagination.
But William Buckland, Oxford University's first professor of geology, changed all that in 1824 when he named the first known dinosaur: Megalosaurus.
The first illustrations of the giant reptile were not entirely accurate, but Buckland's discovery was the startof a new scientific field that is still growing today.
Paleontologists believe that only a fraction of the fossils of dinosaurs that once inhabited the world have been found, meaning thousands or millions of species still await discovery.
Excavated
Authorities have moved the installation of a power plant near Rome after workers uncovered an ancient necropolis.
Archaeologists found 67 skeletons, many covered in gold jewelry, buried surrounded by precious objects in elaborate tombs designed to resemble their homes.
The story continues
"We found several skeletons still wearing their expensive stockings and shoes," said Emanuele Giannini, lead archaeologist at the site. "All this wealth, and the fact that the bones show no sign of stress or physical labor, (leads us to believe) that these were not local farmers, but members of the upper classes of Roman families who came from cities."
Many of the graves were built for those who shared a family bond, and some skeletons were found wrapped around each other.
Defying gravity
The race to the moon has become increasingly fierce in recent years, and now Japan's lunar spacecraft will soon attempt to demonstrate 'precise' landing technology. The SLIM lander, also called the 'Moon Sniper', will land on the moon's surface on January 19.
And after a long wait, some of the most anticipated space missions are preparing to launch in the fall of 2024.
NASA's Europa Clipper will set sail in October to see if Jupiter's icy moon Europa has what it takes to support life in the subsurface ocean.
In November, the Artemis II mission is expected to send four astronauts on a trip around the moon. If the lunar venture is successful, it will pave the way for NASA and its partners to launch Artemis III, allowing humans to return to the moon's surface for the first time since 1972.
The night sky
Prepare to see a sky full of heavenly wonders this year.
In addition to meteor showers and full moons, multiple types of lunar and solar eclipses will be visible from various points around the world.
One of the most anticipated is the total solar eclipse that will cross Mexico, the US and Canada on April 8.
And keep an eye out for the Northern Lights and Southern Lights in unexpected places as the sun's activity increases before it reaches solar maximum later this year.
Curiosities
A 'living skin' protects the Great Wall of China against decay and erosion.
Scientists studied parts of the iconic rammed earth monument. Builders created these sections by compressing natural materials with earth, and they are considered a weak point in the structure.
Instead, researchers found that protective biocrusts, or networks of small, rootless plants and microorganisms, cover soil surfaces. By studying samples, scientists have found that the biocrust-covered parts are three times stronger than rammed earth parts without them.
"They thought this type of vegetation was destroying the Great Wall. Our results show the opposite," said Bo Xiao, professor of soil science at China Agricultural University.
Discoveries
Take a closer look at these compelling lyrics:
- The Navajo Nation objection to landing human remains on the moon led to a last-minute meeting at the White House.
- To meet the need for clean energy, some experts believe it is time to build solar farms in space that beam sunlight to the Earth's surface - but others saythe plan is too far-fetched.
- During expeditions to a remote part of northern Greenland, researchers have discovered fossils of previously unknown predatory worms called "terror beasts" that ruled the seas half a billion years ago.
- Newly edited versions of Voyager 2 images show the true hues of Neptune and Uranus, revealing that the two worlds are more similar in color than previously thought.
Do you like what you read? But there's more. Register here to get the next edition of Wonder Theory in your inbox, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland And Katie Hunt. They find wonder about planets outside our solar system and discoveries from ancient times.For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
