DeepSummary
The episode begins with Regina Barber introducing Ari Shapiro and Burleigh McCoy as they prepare to discuss three science stories in the news. The first story is about a newly discovered dinosaur species called Lokiceratops rangiformis, a ceratopsian dinosaur from Montana with unique horn features. The paleontologists explain that the discovery demonstrates the diversity of horned dinosaur species in that region during the Late Cretaceous period.
The second story covers the successful conservation efforts that have brought the Iberian lynx back from the brink of extinction. A wildlife veterinarian explains how improving habitat, reducing human-caused deaths, and reintroducing captive-bred lynxes into the wild have increased the population from around 60 individuals in 2001 to over 2,000 currently. Maintaining the lynx's prey, the European rabbit, was also crucial to their recovery.
The final story discusses an upcoming nova, or a star explosion, expected to be visible from Earth in the Milky Way galaxy this summer. The hosts explain that this particular nova occurs in a binary star system every 80 years or so, and the last time it was visible was in 1946, making it a rare and highly anticipated event for astronomers to study.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- A new horned dinosaur species, Lokiceratops rangiformis, was discovered in Montana, providing insights into the diversity of ceratopsian dinosaurs in that region during the Late Cretaceous period.
- The Iberian lynx has made a remarkable recovery from near-extinction, with its population increasing from around 60 individuals in 2001 to over 2,000 currently, thanks to conservation efforts focused on habitat restoration, reducing human-caused deaths, and reintroducing captive-bred lynxes.
- An upcoming nova, or star explosion, in the binary star system T Coronae Borealis is expected to be visible from Earth this summer, offering a rare opportunity for astronomers to study such an event in the Milky Way galaxy.
- Maintaining the European rabbit population, the main prey of the Iberian lynx, was crucial to the conservation efforts aimed at increasing the lynx population.
- Paleontologists believe that the rapid evolution of ceratopsian dinosaurs in the region where Lokiceratops rangiformis was found allowed new species to emerge within relatively short timeframes of around 200,000 years.
- The nova in T Coronae Borealis is a cyclical event that occurs every 80 years or so, with the last visible occurrence being in 1946, making this a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people.
- The upcoming nova will allow astronomers to make observations that could help further our understanding of novae events in general, as it is occurring relatively close to our solar system at a distance of 3,000 light-years.
- The episode promotes an inclusive and positive perspective on science, encouraging listeners to embrace their innate curiosity and appreciation for scientific discovery.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So it was pretty cool. We were actually gathered around a table, and we're there together, and we had that Eureka moment where, wow, this really is something new.“ by Mark Loewen
- “Probably means members of its own species found that sexy. To not have a nose horn and to have big blades on the back of its grill.“ by Joseph Surtage
- “And the super cool thing here, Ari, is that since the star system is 3000 light years from Earth, when we do see the explosion, it'll have already happened 3000 years ago.“ by Burleigh McCoy
- “Everyone is a scientist at heart.“ by Regina Barber
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Episode Information
Short Wave
NPR
6/28/24
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