A Hydrogen Iceberg from a Failed Star Might Have Passed through Our Solar System

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June 03, 2020

Dear Reader, Our first interstellar visitor, 'Oumuamua, was discovered in our solar system in October 2017. Since then there has been some debate over whether it was a comet or asteroid, but no one is quite sure. Two astronomers, however, now say the object was neither. Instead, they're proposing it may have been a chunk of hydrogen ice floating in space as we sailed by—basically a "hydrogen iceberg." Our lead story has the details. Also in today's science news: a significant melt event is unfolding in Greenland this week. Also, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a thin sheet that preserves vaccines and other biological medicines for long periods without refrigeration.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement @sunyaaa

Space A Hydrogen Iceberg from a Failed Star Might Have Passed through Our Solar System The interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, may represent an entirely new type of astrophysical object, two astronomers say By Jonathan O'Callaghan

Medicine How to Transport Crucial Vaccines without Cooling Unlike vials, flexible films could preserve medicines for long periods, with no refrigeration needed By Harini Barath

EARTH High Temperatures Set Off Major Greenland Ice Melt--Again An Arctic heat wave ushered in the start of the melt season two weeks earlier than average By Chelsea Harvey,E&E News

Behavior & Society Building Kids' Resilience through Play Is More Crucial than Ever It helps with social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills—and with schools closed, it's more important than ever By Esben Stærk

Climate Exposing the World's Biggest Carbon Emitters "Energy accountant" Richard Heede does research needed to hold major polluters accountable for their actions By John Horgan

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FROM THE ARCHIVE Coffee and Soup, in Pill Form, Make Soldiers Sick Originally published in November 1895 | June 2020

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