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THIS PLANET’S TANTALIZING SIGN

Monday, September 18, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we identify the most likely planet for alien life, question what happened to cursive writing, figure out why hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever ... and flex our muscles over all this talk about Rome.

An illustration shows what exoplanet K2-18 b could look like based on science data.

ILLUSTRATION BY NASA, CSA, ESA, J. OLMSTED (STSCI), SCIENCE: N. MADHUSUDHAN (CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY)

The mixture of gases measured in this planet (depicted above) suggests it may have a global ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere—and astronomers even spotted a tantalizing, though unconfirmed, sign of life.

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STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

a map runs up stairs outdoors

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOLSKIN, GETTY IMAGES

No time to exercise? Just 5 minutes still has a big impact. (Above, a man runs up stairs.)

Hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever. Here’s why.

Multiple COVID infections can lead to chronic health issues. Here’s what to know.

Who were the Tarim Basin mummies? Even scientists were surprised.

How climate change disrupts fall foliage

Coronavirus cases are rising again. Here’s a refresher on everything you forgot.

Murder. Greed. Conspiracy. What really happened in Osage County?

How the 'wickedest city on Earth' was sunk by an earthquake

How 200 volunteers pulled off one of the most difficult cave rescues ever

What ever happened to cursive writing?

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Summertime bathers wade into waters colored red by salt-loving bacteria and algae.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NEWSHA TAVAKOLIAN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Swim here while you can: For generations, people have flocked to this lake (above) to bathe in its red water, which is colored by salt-loving bacteria and algae. But as the lake continues to shrink in size, so have the number of tourists who visit it. Where is it?

A. Hungary
B. Utah
C. Bangladesh
D. Iran

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Iraq's Mosul Dam has been called the world's "most dangerous" dam.

PHOTOGRAPH BY VICTOR BLUE

Another ‘dam of death’? That’s the moniker for the dam collapse in Libya that killed thousands of people last week. For more than a decade, officials have warned of a similar collapse at a crumbling dam (pictured above) near the Iraqi city of Mosul. At long last, repairs are being made at the dangerous Iraqi site.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT ROME?

Gladiator re-enactors in Rome.

PHOTOGRAPH BY REMI BENALI

What’s all this about Rome? Social media readers have griped that their partners are almost too fascinated with Rome. Nat Geo readers know the topic is more than just gladiators (above, reenactors). We have a few stories below to bulk out on your imperial knowledge.

Rome 101:
—Two gladiators enter, one emerges alive, right? Not quite.
—Legumes were big for the Roman fighters
—How everyday items peel back the curtain on ancient Rome
—The short reign of Elagabalus, Rome’s hard-partying emperor

JUST THE GLADIATORS, PLEASE

Today’s soundtrack: I’m Just Ken, Ryan Gosling

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! It was curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. Want to let us know your thoughts? Send away: [email protected]. Happy trails!

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