"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-03-13T05:29:22Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/03/13/beer-inspired-name-of-possible-life-planets-mclaughlin-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="beer inspired name of possible life planets mclaughlin pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="beer inspired name of possible life planets mclaughlin pkg"
data-video-tags="alcoholic beverages,beer,beverages,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celestial bodies and objects,consumer products,erin mclaughlin,food and drink,kinds of foods and beverages,planets and moons,space and astronomy,exoplanets,science"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-05-10T21:20:40Z"
data-video-section="health"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2016/05/10/nasa-kepler-planet-discoveries-orig-mg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="NASA kepler planet discoveries orig mg"
data-first-publish-slug="NASA kepler planet discoveries orig mg"
data-video-tags="celestial bodies and objects,nasa,planets and moons,space and astronomy,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies,space exploration,business, economy and trade,business and industry sectors,aviation and aerospace industry,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,space + tech"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-02-01T18:19:35Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tech/2017/02/01/nasa-kelly-twins-study-orig-vstop.cnn"
data-branding-key="space-next-chapter"
data-video-slug="NASA Kelly Twins Study Orig Vstop"
data-first-publish-slug="NASA Kelly Twins Study Orig Vstop"
data-video-tags="health and medical,nasa,scott kelly,space and astronomy,space exploration,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-04-26T10:59:13Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2017/04/18/cassini-discoveries-memorable-moments-pvc-nccorig.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="Cassini discoveries memorable moments pvc nccorig"
data-first-publish-slug="Cassini discoveries memorable moments pvc nccorig"
data-video-tags="aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celestial bodies and objects,nasa,planets and moons,saturn,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-02-14T03:03:28Z"
data-video-section="tv"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/02/14/prof-brian-green-gravitational-waves-explained-cnni-mann-intv.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="prof brian green gravitational waves explained cnni mann intv"
data-first-publish-slug="prof brian green gravitational waves explained cnni mann intv"
data-video-tags="college and university professors,education,physics,science,space and astronomy,teachers and teaching"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-02-21T18:37:21Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/02/21/what-is-an-exoplanet-explainer-orig-aa.cnn"
data-branding-key="cnn-films"
data-video-slug="what is an exoplanet explainer orig aa"
data-first-publish-slug="what is an exoplanet explainer orig aa"
data-video-tags="celestial bodies and objects,exoplanets,planets and moons,space and astronomy,technology"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-04-13T18:42:18Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/04/13/nasa-ocean-world-cassini-enceladus-sot.nasa"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="nasa ocean world Cassini Enceladus sot"
data-first-publish-slug="nasa ocean world Cassini Enceladus sot"
data-video-tags="celestial bodies and objects,earth,jupiter,nasa,planets and moons,saturn,space and astronomy,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-08-27T23:15:23Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tech/2016/08/27/proxima-b-orbits-cnni-mann-intv.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="proxima b orbits cnni mann intv"
data-first-publish-slug="proxima b orbits cnni mann intv"
data-video-tags="celestial bodies and objects,planets and moons,space and astronomy"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-09-10T08:53:30Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/09/10/human-ancestor-species-discovered-south-africa-mckenzie-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="human ancestor species discovered south africa mckenzie pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="human ancestor species discovered south africa mckenzie pkg"
data-video-tags="africa,biology,evolution theory,science,south africa,southern africa"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Homo naledi: Scientists find ancient human relative
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-01-13T09:56:00Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/01/13/studies-link-allergies-to-neanderthals-sdg-orig.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="studies link allergies to neanderthals sdg orig"
data-first-publish-slug="studies link allergies to neanderthals sdg orig"
data-video-tags="allergies,animals,anthropology and archeology,diseases and disorders,health and medical,humans and hominids,life forms"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-06-07T21:35:39Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tech/2018/06/07/organic-matter-found-mars-orig-dlewis-vstop.cnn"
data-branding-key="space-next-chapter"
data-video-slug="Organic matter found Mars orig dlewis vstop"
data-first-publish-slug="Organic matter found Mars orig dlewis vstop"
data-video-tags="celestial bodies and objects,extraterrestrial life,mars,nasa,planets and moons,space and astronomy,space exploration,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2012-09-29T00:30:45Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2012/09/28/tsr-myers-water-on-mars.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="tsr myers water on mars"
data-first-publish-slug="tsr myers water on mars"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Tell us what you’d like to see more of in the newsletter at [email protected].
Each generation has the gift of knowing more than the last, but we can never truly know everything – and that’s part of the wonder of being human.
Around every corner, something new awaits – a curiosity or a mind-blowing revelation. Earth remains full of mysteries, no matter how much we discover, from the top of the atmosphere to the ocean depths.
When researchers share findings about ancient life – like the “dragon man” – they help rewrite history. As satellites orbit this planet, we learn more about our corner of the universe. And as astronomers look beyond our solar system, they reveal the very secrets of the cosmos.
Here are the fascinating stories that changed our perspectives this week.
We are family
This illustration depicts a reconstruction of the dragon man in his habitat hundreds of thousands of years ago.
The well-preserved cranium, discovered at the bottom of a well in northeastern China, is between 138,000 and 309,000 years old.
In life, this hominin, called Homo longi, had a mix of primitive features, like a broad nose and low brow, combined with the flat and delicate cheekbones of Homo sapiens. If you were to meet the dragon man, he would have a wide face, deep eyes, big teeth and a brain similar in size to your own.
The discovery of this fossil, along with others announced this week, is rewriting the history of human evolution.
Across the universe
Astronomers have been planet hunting for years in hopes of answering if we’re truly alone, whether there are more planets like Earth, and just how weird planets can get. But stop for a moment and think about what planets may be looking back at us.
In this case, we may be the “aliens,” observed by life on other planets – if it exists out there. And that has some intriguing implications as we develop more sophisticated ways to search for life.
The Southern Ocean is a wild and beautiful body of water at the bottom of the world.
Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images
Everybody’s talking about the new kid, er, ocean in town. We have even discussed here how researchers are studying it via a Polar Pod. But give a warm welcome to what cartographers at National Geographic are calling the world’s fifth ocean.
The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica. At times, this wild body of water has been a contentious one for oceanographers.
However, the name itself isn’t new, and others had been referring to it that way before the decree.
The truth is, Earth has one global ocean. But regions help scientists understand the distinct hallmarks of the vast blue.
And the Southern Ocean is definitely one of a kind.
Mission critical
Some of the most beloved and special environments on Earth are in danger due to our continuing climate crisis.
Scientists worry the Amazon will experience a destructive fire season because the rainforest, along with other parts of Brazil, is facing drought. This water scarcity, combined with deforestation, essentially turns the lush forest into a tinderbox.
In fact, large fires are already active in the Amazon this year.
Mongoose mothers give birth at the same time to take care of pups communally.
Harry Marshall
If you’re the youngest in your family, you know the privileges that can come with being the baby. But some animals, like catlike mongooses, are wired to see things differently – and more fairly.
When mongoose mothers are expecting, many will give birth on the same night. With all those pups – up to 20 in a communal litter – it’s hard to know which ones belong to whom.
Like what you’ve read? Oh, but there’s more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writer Ashley Strickland, who finds wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.