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Wow, a beautiful yet terrifying volcanic eruption happening at Kilauea, Hawaii right now.

In addition, we have some great articles about four new exoplanets discovered, a rare sighting of four deadly hunters, and heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship.

Space

Our Smallest Neighbors

Astronomers have confirmed the existence of four exoplanets orbiting Barnard’s Star, the closest single star to Earth, following decades of false leads. These small, rocky worlds—previously undetectable with older instruments—were identified using the radial velocity method, which tracks the subtle "wobbles" in a star’s movement caused by an orbiting planet’s gravitational pull. Barnard’s Star, a red dwarf just six light-years away, has been a prime target for exoplanet searches for over 50 years, but traditional methods, like detecting dips in starlight, failed due to the planets’ tiny size.

“It’s a really exciting find—Barnard’s Star is our cosmic neighbor, and yet we know so little about it,” said lead study author Ritvik Basant, a doctoral student at the University of Chicago. The newly discovered planets, classified as sub-Earths, range from 19% to 34% of Earth’s mass and have incredibly tight orbits, all within the distance of Mercury’s orbit around the Sun. The closest completes a full orbit in just three days, while the farthest takes seven. They were detected using the MAROON-X instrument on Hawaii’s Gemini North telescope, which offers the precision needed to spot such small planetary signals.

Although these planets are likely barren, exposed to intense radiation and stripped of any atmosphere or water, their discovery provides valuable insights into planetary formation. Sub-Earths like these may have a broader range of compositions than larger exoplanets, offering fresh perspectives on the diversity of planets in our galaxy. The findings, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, mark a significant step forward in understanding the hidden worlds orbiting nearby stars.

Good News

An Unlikely Friendship

For the past 14 years, a unique spring tradition in Türkiye has captivated hearts across the nation. At Uluabat Lake near Eskikaraağaç Village, fisherman Adem Yılmaz patiently waits each year for the return of Yaren, a white stork that migrates thousands of miles to reunite with him. This year, concern grew when Yaren didn’t arrive on time. “Yaren usually arrives at the beginning of the month. When it didn’t show up, I worried something had happened,” Yılmaz shared. “I spent a week in sorrow, thinking it might have faced danger. But thankfully, Yaren came back this morning and ate the fish I had brought.”

Yaren’s return marks the completion of a remarkable 2,500-mile journey from sub-Saharan Africa, passing through the Balkans and Greece before arriving in Türkiye. The stork’s arrival is not just a personal moment for Yılmaz but also a symbol of the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation. Eskikaraağaç, a member of the European Stork Villages Network, has become a focal point for stork preservation efforts. The reunion drew the attention of wildlife photographer Alper Tuydes and government officials alike, eager to witness and document this extraordinary bond.

“Spring has come, longing is over… That heart-warming reunion happened again on its 14th anniversary,” wrote Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı on social media platform X. The tradition has become a cherished reminder of the resilience of nature and the surprising friendships that can form between humans and animals. As Türkiye Today noted, Yaren’s annual visit is a testament to the enduring connection between species and the beauty of shared trust.

Environment

A Rare Sighting

In the remote mountains of northern Pakistan, a rare sighting of four snow leopards has thrilled conservationists. These elusive cats, typically solitary, were filmed together—an encouraging sign for Pakistan’s ongoing snow leopard conservation efforts. The sighting was captured by photographer Sakhawat Ali, a gamekeeper at Central Karakoram National Park, who had been tracking leopard paw prints for 15 days before spotting a female with three cubs. “As a wildlife lover, I was extremely happy,” Ali said. “I quickly moved closer and filmed them from about 150 meters away.”

Ali, who lives in Hushe village, observed the snow leopards blending seamlessly into the rugged, snowy terrain. The presence of a mother with three healthy cubs suggests not only a stable population but also a thriving ecosystem capable of supporting their prey, including Siberian ibex, argali, and deer species. Despite this positive sign, snow leopards remain classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, Pakistan and 11 other snow leopard range countries have made significant progress in protecting the species over the past two decades.

Ali’s footage was widely celebrated, even among local villagers who sometimes lose livestock to these predators. Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife for Gilgit-Baltistan, highlighted that 80% of the region’s communities participate in monitoring snow leopard populations. Snow leopards inhabit 12 countries, including Pakistan, China, India, and Russia, all of which collaborate through the Global Snow Leopard Forum—an international initiative uniting governments and NGOs to safeguard this rare and magnificent species.

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I wake you up yet steal your rest, I'm dark as night but not distressed. I start off bitter, then turn sweet, A daily ritual none can beat. What am I? — coffee, Cheri M. got this right first! 🌞 

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