It’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere (summer in the Southern Hemisphere), and if you look outside in the evening you’ll see many bright stars. Beginning around now, the evening sky as seen from around the world will look clearer and sharper than it did 6 months ago, assuming no clouds are in the way.
And beware, right now the bright planets Venus, Jupiter and Mars are in the evening sky and shining among the bright stars visible right now. Venus and Jupiter outshine the brightest stars. And Mars is roughly the same brightness as our brightest stars. How can you tell if it’s a planet or a star? Stars twinkle, planets do not.
On December, January and February evenings our evening sky faces away from the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Instead, we look toward our galaxy’s outskirts at this time of the year. There are fewer stars between us and extragalactic space now. We’re also looking toward the spiral arm of the galaxy in which our sun resides – the Orion Arm – and toward some gigantic stars. These huge stars are relatively close to us, within our own galactic neighborhood and local spiral arm, so they look bright.
Comparing the winter and summer sky
Consider the sky at the opposite time of the year. In June, July and August, the evening sky seen from the entire Earth is facing toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
The galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across. Its center is some 25,000 to 28,000 light-years away from us here on Earth. We don’t see into the exact center of the Milky Way, because it’s obscured by galactic dust.
But during those Northern Hemisphere summer months (Southern Hemisphere winter months), as we peer edgewise into the galaxy’s disk, we’re gazing across some 75,000 light-years of star-packed space. (75,000 light-years is the distance between us and the center, plus the distance beyond the center to the other side of the galaxy.)
Thus – on June, July and August evenings – we’re looking toward the combined light of billions upon billions of stars. The combined light of so many distant stars gives the sky a hazy quality.
View larger. | Why are stars so bright in Northern Hemisphere winter (southern summer)? On June, July and August evenings, we look toward the galaxy’s center, as indicated by the red arrows. Then, on December, January and February evenings, we look away from the center, as indicated by the blue arrows. We’re seeing fewer stars now. But we’re looking into our local spiral arm. Artist’s concept via NASA/ JPL/ Caltech/ R. Hurt/ Wikimedia Commons.
The Orion Arm
Our spiral arm of the galaxy is the Orion Arm. It also goes by the name of the Orion Spur, Local Arm, Orion-Cygnus Arm or the Local Spur. It’s not one of the primary spiral arms of the Milky Way, just a “minor” spiral arm. And our local Orion Arm is some 3,500 light-years across. It’s approximately 10,000 light-years in length. So our entire solar system resides within this Orion Arm. We’re located close to the inner rim of this spiral arm, about halfway along its length.
Perhaps you know the bright stars of the prominent constellation Orion the Hunter? This constellation is visible in the evening during Northern Hemisphere winter (Southern Hemisphere summer). The stars of mighty Orion also reside within the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. In fact, scientists named our arm of the galaxy for this constellation.
Our local arm of the Milky Way galaxy is the Orion Arm. Notice Orion’s Belt – the three medium-bright stars (see photo below) – and Orion’s brightest stars Betelgeuse and Rigel. If you visit this page on Wikipedia, you’ll find this image in interactive form.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Sergei Timofeevski shared this image from November 13, 2023. Sergei wrote: “The constellation Orion the Hunter and the star Sirius rising just above the eastern horizon in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.” Thank you, Sergei! Note bright Sirius is on the bottom, and Orion’s Belt pointing to it.
Bottom line: In December, January and February, we are looking away from the thick stars and clouds of the Milky Way’s core toward the Orion spiral arm, where bright stars reside.
It’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere (summer in the Southern Hemisphere), and if you look outside in the evening you’ll see many bright stars. Beginning around now, the evening sky as seen from around the world will look clearer and sharper than it did 6 months ago, assuming no clouds are in the way.
And beware, right now the bright planets Venus, Jupiter and Mars are in the evening sky and shining among the bright stars visible right now. Venus and Jupiter outshine the brightest stars. And Mars is roughly the same brightness as our brightest stars. How can you tell if it’s a planet or a star? Stars twinkle, planets do not.
On December, January and February evenings our evening sky faces away from the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Instead, we look toward our galaxy’s outskirts at this time of the year. There are fewer stars between us and extragalactic space now. We’re also looking toward the spiral arm of the galaxy in which our sun resides – the Orion Arm – and toward some gigantic stars. These huge stars are relatively close to us, within our own galactic neighborhood and local spiral arm, so they look bright.
Comparing the winter and summer sky
Consider the sky at the opposite time of the year. In June, July and August, the evening sky seen from the entire Earth is facing toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
The galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across. Its center is some 25,000 to 28,000 light-years away from us here on Earth. We don’t see into the exact center of the Milky Way, because it’s obscured by galactic dust.
But during those Northern Hemisphere summer months (Southern Hemisphere winter months), as we peer edgewise into the galaxy’s disk, we’re gazing across some 75,000 light-years of star-packed space. (75,000 light-years is the distance between us and the center, plus the distance beyond the center to the other side of the galaxy.)
Thus – on June, July and August evenings – we’re looking toward the combined light of billions upon billions of stars. The combined light of so many distant stars gives the sky a hazy quality.
View larger. | Why are stars so bright in Northern Hemisphere winter (southern summer)? On June, July and August evenings, we look toward the galaxy’s center, as indicated by the red arrows. Then, on December, January and February evenings, we look away from the center, as indicated by the blue arrows. We’re seeing fewer stars now. But we’re looking into our local spiral arm. Artist’s concept via NASA/ JPL/ Caltech/ R. Hurt/ Wikimedia Commons.
The Orion Arm
Our spiral arm of the galaxy is the Orion Arm. It also goes by the name of the Orion Spur, Local Arm, Orion-Cygnus Arm or the Local Spur. It’s not one of the primary spiral arms of the Milky Way, just a “minor” spiral arm. And our local Orion Arm is some 3,500 light-years across. It’s approximately 10,000 light-years in length. So our entire solar system resides within this Orion Arm. We’re located close to the inner rim of this spiral arm, about halfway along its length.
Perhaps you know the bright stars of the prominent constellation Orion the Hunter? This constellation is visible in the evening during Northern Hemisphere winter (Southern Hemisphere summer). The stars of mighty Orion also reside within the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. In fact, scientists named our arm of the galaxy for this constellation.
Our local arm of the Milky Way galaxy is the Orion Arm. Notice Orion’s Belt – the three medium-bright stars (see photo below) – and Orion’s brightest stars Betelgeuse and Rigel. If you visit this page on Wikipedia, you’ll find this image in interactive form.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Sergei Timofeevski shared this image from November 13, 2023. Sergei wrote: “The constellation Orion the Hunter and the star Sirius rising just above the eastern horizon in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.” Thank you, Sergei! Note bright Sirius is on the bottom, and Orion’s Belt pointing to it.
Bottom line: In December, January and February, we are looking away from the thick stars and clouds of the Milky Way’s core toward the Orion spiral arm, where bright stars reside.
View larger. | The shortest day is at the solstice. But many are surprised to learn that the latest sunrises come days or weeks after the solstice. This map shows the number of days between earliest sunset and latest sunrise, for various latitudes. And it shows the dates of these events. When is your latest sunrise? The dates hold true for these latitudes around the globe. Map via Brian Brettschneider (@Climatologist49 on X) or via Brian B.’s Climate Blog. Used with permission.
Latest sunrises
If you get up early, you know that, in late December and early January, your sunrises are still coming very late. In fact, they’re the latest sunrises of the year for people at mid-northern latitudes (say, the latitude of the central U.S.). Overall, our days have been growing longer since the December solstice. But the sunrises have still been coming later and later. That’s due to an unvarying sequence each year – earliest sunset in early December, shortest day at the solstice around December 21, latest sunrise in early January – for the Northern Hemisphere.
In fact, this natural order is what we can expect every year on our tilted Earth, pursuing our elliptical orbit around the sun.
Meanwhile, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you’re in the midst of an equally lovely, but more bittersweet, time of year for sunrises and sunsets. That’s because your earliest summer sunrises happened a few weeks ago. And your latest sunsets are beginning around now, and will extend for the next couple of weeks, assuming you’re at mid-southern latitudes. So your sequence is: earliest sunrise in early December, longest day at the December solstice, latest sunset in early January.
Sundial at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. A sundial can be used to measure the interval from one solar noon to the next. The discrepancy between the clock and the sun gives us the latest sunrises after the winter solstice for mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Clock time and sun time
The December solstice always brings the shortest day to the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day to the Southern Hemisphere. But, clearly, the latest sunrise doesn’t coincide with the day of least daylight. And the latest sunset doesn’t happen on the day of greatest daylight. Why not?
The main reason is that the Earth’s rotational axis is tilted 23.5 degrees out of vertical to the plane of our orbit around the sun. A secondary reason is that the Earth’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle. Due to our eccentric orbit (that’s an orbit shaped like a squashed circle, with the sun slightly off center), Earth travels fastest in January and slowest in July.
So clock time gets a bit out of sync with sun time by about 1/2 minute per day for several weeks around the December solstice.
And because solar noon (midday) comes later by the clock now than on the solstice, so do the times of sunrise and sunset.
By the way, in 2007, the end of daylight-saving time moved from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November. So now, depending on your latitude, the latest sunrises may occur at the end of October or the beginning of November.
The sequence is always the same
The exact date for the latest sunrise or latest sunset varies by latitude. This week, mid-temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are waking up to their latest sunrises, while the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-temperate latitudes are watching their latest sunsets. At latitudes closer to the equator, the latest sunrise or latest sunset has yet to come. Closer to the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, the latest sunrise or latest sunset has already come and gone.
But in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, the sequence is always the same:
Bottom line: Do you notice the time of sunrise and sunset at this time of year? If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, at mid-northern latitudes, your latest sunrises happen around early January. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, mid-latitudes, you are watching the year’s latest sunsets. Enjoy!
View larger. | The shortest day is at the solstice. But many are surprised to learn that the latest sunrises come days or weeks after the solstice. This map shows the number of days between earliest sunset and latest sunrise, for various latitudes. And it shows the dates of these events. When is your latest sunrise? The dates hold true for these latitudes around the globe. Map via Brian Brettschneider (@Climatologist49 on X) or via Brian B.’s Climate Blog. Used with permission.
Latest sunrises
If you get up early, you know that, in late December and early January, your sunrises are still coming very late. In fact, they’re the latest sunrises of the year for people at mid-northern latitudes (say, the latitude of the central U.S.). Overall, our days have been growing longer since the December solstice. But the sunrises have still been coming later and later. That’s due to an unvarying sequence each year – earliest sunset in early December, shortest day at the solstice around December 21, latest sunrise in early January – for the Northern Hemisphere.
In fact, this natural order is what we can expect every year on our tilted Earth, pursuing our elliptical orbit around the sun.
Meanwhile, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you’re in the midst of an equally lovely, but more bittersweet, time of year for sunrises and sunsets. That’s because your earliest summer sunrises happened a few weeks ago. And your latest sunsets are beginning around now, and will extend for the next couple of weeks, assuming you’re at mid-southern latitudes. So your sequence is: earliest sunrise in early December, longest day at the December solstice, latest sunset in early January.
Sundial at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. A sundial can be used to measure the interval from one solar noon to the next. The discrepancy between the clock and the sun gives us the latest sunrises after the winter solstice for mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Clock time and sun time
The December solstice always brings the shortest day to the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day to the Southern Hemisphere. But, clearly, the latest sunrise doesn’t coincide with the day of least daylight. And the latest sunset doesn’t happen on the day of greatest daylight. Why not?
The main reason is that the Earth’s rotational axis is tilted 23.5 degrees out of vertical to the plane of our orbit around the sun. A secondary reason is that the Earth’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle. Due to our eccentric orbit (that’s an orbit shaped like a squashed circle, with the sun slightly off center), Earth travels fastest in January and slowest in July.
So clock time gets a bit out of sync with sun time by about 1/2 minute per day for several weeks around the December solstice.
And because solar noon (midday) comes later by the clock now than on the solstice, so do the times of sunrise and sunset.
By the way, in 2007, the end of daylight-saving time moved from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November. So now, depending on your latitude, the latest sunrises may occur at the end of October or the beginning of November.
The sequence is always the same
The exact date for the latest sunrise or latest sunset varies by latitude. This week, mid-temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are waking up to their latest sunrises, while the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-temperate latitudes are watching their latest sunsets. At latitudes closer to the equator, the latest sunrise or latest sunset has yet to come. Closer to the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, the latest sunrise or latest sunset has already come and gone.
But in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, the sequence is always the same:
Bottom line: Do you notice the time of sunrise and sunset at this time of year? If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, at mid-northern latitudes, your latest sunrises happen around early January. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, mid-latitudes, you are watching the year’s latest sunsets. Enjoy!
The U.S. military took this image on January 2, 2005, of the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami at a village near Sumatra. The deadly tsunami struck after a 9.1-magnitude earthquake on December 26, 2004. Image via Philip A. McDaniel/ United States Navy/ Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
20-year anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami
It was 20 years ago, on December 26, 2004, that the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean became one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The powerful waves claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people. A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, sent tsunami waves surging across the Indian Ocean at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. And waves from the tsunami reached up to 100 feet (30 m) in height.
The earthquake that struck that morning was the third-largest earthquake since modern seismography began in 1900. It was the result of a more than 700-mile rupture on the fault line that separates the Burma plate from the Indian plate. In some places, the seafloor lifted up by 4 to 5 meters.
… decreased the length of day, slightly changed the planet’s shape and shifted the North Pole by centimeters. The earthquake that created the huge tsunami also changed the Earth’s rotation.
Animation of the Boxing Day tsunami of December 26, 2004, which crossed the Indian Ocean. Image via NOAA/ Wikimedia (public domain).
A tsunami is one of the most powerful and destructive natural forces. It is a series of extremely long waves (multiple waves tens-to-hundreds of miles between crests) caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean. Tsunamis radiate outward in all directions from the point of origin and can move across entire ocean basins. When they reach the coast, they can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for several hours or days.
The term “tsunami” originates from Japanese, with “tsu” meaning harbor and “nami” meaning wave. These waves can be triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and more. Tsunamis are not caused by the moon or related to tides, so it’s incorrect to call them tidal waves.
Tsunamis on the deep ocean
The distance between waves in a deep-ocean tsunami can be hundreds of miles. But the wave height on the ocean may only be a few feet. It’s not until the waves reach shallow waters near shore that the wavelengths shorten but grow in height. According to NOAA, these destructive waves can reach more than a mile inland.
So, the energy these ocean tsunamis carry is immense. But tsunamis don’t always look like a towering wave approaching. In fact, tsunamis first draw water away from shore, before the water comes back in. And then it might look like a fast-moving flood or wall of water.
This is what the beach looked like at Kata Noi Beach, Phuket, Thailand, during the Boxing Day tsunami on December 26, 2004. Here the water has receded just before the 3rd, and strongest, tsunami wave. Image via Peregrine981/ Wikimedia (GFDL).
What to do if there’s a tsunami warning
Tsunami warning systems rely on earthquake data, ocean buoys and tide gauges. If you are in an area where a potential tsunami could strike when a warning is issued, heed the information relayed through sirens, text messages and emergency broadcasts.
The advice is mostly common sense, but sometimes people don’t act rationally in an emergency. Stay away from beaches, move inland and find higher ground. Follow the directions of officials and evacuation route signs. Be alert for damage from any related earthquake, such as downed power lines. Continue to keep updated on the situation with your mobile device.
Bottom line: The 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean is on December 26, 2024. The tsunami – and associated earthquake – was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
The U.S. military took this image on January 2, 2005, of the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami at a village near Sumatra. The deadly tsunami struck after a 9.1-magnitude earthquake on December 26, 2004. Image via Philip A. McDaniel/ United States Navy/ Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
20-year anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami
It was 20 years ago, on December 26, 2004, that the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean became one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The powerful waves claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people. A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, sent tsunami waves surging across the Indian Ocean at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. And waves from the tsunami reached up to 100 feet (30 m) in height.
The earthquake that struck that morning was the third-largest earthquake since modern seismography began in 1900. It was the result of a more than 700-mile rupture on the fault line that separates the Burma plate from the Indian plate. In some places, the seafloor lifted up by 4 to 5 meters.
… decreased the length of day, slightly changed the planet’s shape and shifted the North Pole by centimeters. The earthquake that created the huge tsunami also changed the Earth’s rotation.
Animation of the Boxing Day tsunami of December 26, 2004, which crossed the Indian Ocean. Image via NOAA/ Wikimedia (public domain).
A tsunami is one of the most powerful and destructive natural forces. It is a series of extremely long waves (multiple waves tens-to-hundreds of miles between crests) caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean. Tsunamis radiate outward in all directions from the point of origin and can move across entire ocean basins. When they reach the coast, they can cause dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents that can last for several hours or days.
The term “tsunami” originates from Japanese, with “tsu” meaning harbor and “nami” meaning wave. These waves can be triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and more. Tsunamis are not caused by the moon or related to tides, so it’s incorrect to call them tidal waves.
Tsunamis on the deep ocean
The distance between waves in a deep-ocean tsunami can be hundreds of miles. But the wave height on the ocean may only be a few feet. It’s not until the waves reach shallow waters near shore that the wavelengths shorten but grow in height. According to NOAA, these destructive waves can reach more than a mile inland.
So, the energy these ocean tsunamis carry is immense. But tsunamis don’t always look like a towering wave approaching. In fact, tsunamis first draw water away from shore, before the water comes back in. And then it might look like a fast-moving flood or wall of water.
This is what the beach looked like at Kata Noi Beach, Phuket, Thailand, during the Boxing Day tsunami on December 26, 2004. Here the water has receded just before the 3rd, and strongest, tsunami wave. Image via Peregrine981/ Wikimedia (GFDL).
What to do if there’s a tsunami warning
Tsunami warning systems rely on earthquake data, ocean buoys and tide gauges. If you are in an area where a potential tsunami could strike when a warning is issued, heed the information relayed through sirens, text messages and emergency broadcasts.
The advice is mostly common sense, but sometimes people don’t act rationally in an emergency. Stay away from beaches, move inland and find higher ground. Follow the directions of officials and evacuation route signs. Be alert for damage from any related earthquake, such as downed power lines. Continue to keep updated on the situation with your mobile device.
Bottom line: The 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean is on December 26, 2024. The tsunami – and associated earthquake – was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen, with Schedar, its brightest star. It’s at the bottom right when you see Cassiopeia as a W. And it’s at the upper left when you see her as an M.
Cassiopeia the Queen, a constellation of bright stars in the northern hemisphere, is a well-loved fixture of fall and winter evening skies.
Also known as Alpha (α) Cassiopeiae, Schedar is its brightest star. And with the help of a star map, this orange-colored star is easy to find and is often used by stargazers to locate the Andromeda galaxy.
By the way, from mid-northern latitudes, Cassiopeia is circumpolar. As a result, it circles endlessly around the north celestial pole, never (or rarely, depending on your latitude) dipping below your horizon. However, the best time to see Cassiopeia is during fall and winter evenings, since that’s when the constellation rides highest in the sky.
Basically, the bright stars of Cassiopeia trace out an M or W, depending on its position in the sky and your perspective. And Schedar, the brightest star in Cassiopeia, is located at the W’s bottom-right tip (or the M’s upper-left tip).
A map of the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. And here, Cassiopeia looks like a W, with Schedar (α Cassiopeiae) pointing toward the Andromeda Galaxy, shown as a red oval at the bottom of the map. Image via IAU/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons.
Science of Schedar
The star Schedar is 228 light-years away and shines steadily at magnitude 2.2. Even though skywatchers a couple of centuries ago suggested that the star varied in brightness, modern astronomers have discerned no fluctuations.
Additionally, Schedar is about four times the mass of our sun. But, Schedar is cooler than our sun. That’s because it is a red giant star. Plus, like all giant stars, it rotates slowly on its axis. Thus, Schedar takes approximately 102 days to rotate once, in contrast to about 25 days for our sun. Now that it is in the late stages of stellar evolution, Schedar is about 45 times the sun’s diameter due to the expansion of its outer layers.
The sky lore of Alpha Cassiopeiae
Even though it is brightest star in the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen, Schedar doesn’t have any fantastic stories behind it. But, like all stars, it has its own interesting history. In fact, the star’s name, Schedar, derives from the Arabic word for breast.
Upside-down Cassiopeia, as depicted on Mercator celestial globe in 1551. Image via Harvard Map Collection/ Wikimedia Commons.
By the way, Schedar’s position is: R.A. 00h 40m 30s, Dec. +56° 32′ 14″
Bottom line: Schedar, the brightest star in the prominent northern constellation Cassiopeia, is easily visible most of the year from northern latitudes.
The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen, with Schedar, its brightest star. It’s at the bottom right when you see Cassiopeia as a W. And it’s at the upper left when you see her as an M.
Cassiopeia the Queen, a constellation of bright stars in the northern hemisphere, is a well-loved fixture of fall and winter evening skies.
Also known as Alpha (α) Cassiopeiae, Schedar is its brightest star. And with the help of a star map, this orange-colored star is easy to find and is often used by stargazers to locate the Andromeda galaxy.
By the way, from mid-northern latitudes, Cassiopeia is circumpolar. As a result, it circles endlessly around the north celestial pole, never (or rarely, depending on your latitude) dipping below your horizon. However, the best time to see Cassiopeia is during fall and winter evenings, since that’s when the constellation rides highest in the sky.
Basically, the bright stars of Cassiopeia trace out an M or W, depending on its position in the sky and your perspective. And Schedar, the brightest star in Cassiopeia, is located at the W’s bottom-right tip (or the M’s upper-left tip).
A map of the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. And here, Cassiopeia looks like a W, with Schedar (α Cassiopeiae) pointing toward the Andromeda Galaxy, shown as a red oval at the bottom of the map. Image via IAU/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons.
Science of Schedar
The star Schedar is 228 light-years away and shines steadily at magnitude 2.2. Even though skywatchers a couple of centuries ago suggested that the star varied in brightness, modern astronomers have discerned no fluctuations.
Additionally, Schedar is about four times the mass of our sun. But, Schedar is cooler than our sun. That’s because it is a red giant star. Plus, like all giant stars, it rotates slowly on its axis. Thus, Schedar takes approximately 102 days to rotate once, in contrast to about 25 days for our sun. Now that it is in the late stages of stellar evolution, Schedar is about 45 times the sun’s diameter due to the expansion of its outer layers.
The sky lore of Alpha Cassiopeiae
Even though it is brightest star in the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen, Schedar doesn’t have any fantastic stories behind it. But, like all stars, it has its own interesting history. In fact, the star’s name, Schedar, derives from the Arabic word for breast.
Upside-down Cassiopeia, as depicted on Mercator celestial globe in 1551. Image via Harvard Map Collection/ Wikimedia Commons.
By the way, Schedar’s position is: R.A. 00h 40m 30s, Dec. +56° 32′ 14″
Bottom line: Schedar, the brightest star in the prominent northern constellation Cassiopeia, is easily visible most of the year from northern latitudes.
View larger. | Artist’s illustration of TRAPPIST-1 b as it is about to pass behind its red dwarf star. A new study suggested that TRAPPIST-1 b is either airless but very geologically active, or has a hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. Image via Thomas Müller (HdA/ MPIA/ Max Planck Society).
TRAPPIST-1 b is the innermost rocky exoplanet in the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system. Like the other six planets, it’s about the same size as Earth.
Does TRAPPIST-1 b have an atmosphere? Previous observations by the Webb Space Telescope suggested it does not. A new study of recent Webb data, however, indicates it might have one after all.
The planet could have a hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. Or it might have no atmosphere, but be highly geologically active with volcanoes or even tectonic plates.
Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b might have a hazy atmosphere
TRAPPIST-1 is one of the most intriguing known planetary systems found so far. It has no less than seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star. Scientists are still studying it with the Webb Space Telescope and trying to determine which of the planets might have atmospheres. The two innermost planets, TRAPPIST-1 b and c, were the first scientists looked at. Initial indications were that TRAPPIST-1 b did not have an atmosphere. But on December 16, 2024, a team of researchers said that might not be the case after all.
The researchers published their peer-reviewed results in Nature Astronomy on December 16, 2024. A free preprint version of the paper is also available on arXiv.
Previous studies of data from Webb seemed to show the planet had no atmosphere, or very little at best. That wasn’t too surprising because it orbits so close to its red dwarf star, which emits intense radiation. A similar result was also obtained for TRAPPIST-1 c.
For both planets, the star’s radiation might strip away any atmosphere the planets had. Red dwarf stars are usually very active, more so than our own sun.
Two possibilities for TRAPPIST-1 b
The new study shows how difficult it is to detect and analyze atmospheres on planets that are so far away from us. That is especially true for smaller rocky planets like TRAPPIST-1’s. TRAPPIST-1 is 40 light-years from Earth.
The researchers used the Mid-Infrared Imager (MIRI) instrument on Webb to study TRAPPIST-1 b further. The results suggested two possibilities. Either the planet is highly geologically active with volcanoes or even plate tectonics but no weathering on its surface. Or, it could have a thin, hazy atmosphere, probably composed of carbon dioxide.
Is the planet geologically active?
The first possibility is that TRAPPIST-1 b has a weathered rocky surface but no atmosphere. That seemed to fit with the analysis of previous Webb data. But it doesn’t match up as well with the newer data. Astronomer Jeroen Bouwman at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) said:
The idea of a rocky planet with a heavily weathered surface without an atmosphere is inconsistent with the current measurement. Therefore, we think the planet is covered with relatively unchanged material.
The new results suggest the surface is only about 1,000 years old at most. That’s really young, geologically speaking. That may indicate the planet’s crust is active and subject to extreme changes, such as through volcanism or plate tectonics. It could be like Jupiter’s moon Io. Jupiter’s gravitational pull squeezes and stretches the moon’s interior, generating heat. This powers Io’s hundreds of volcanoes. In fact, Io is the most active volcanic body in the whole solar system.
This explanation for TRAPPIST-1 b is still hypothetical, but it’s plausible.
Or does TRAPPIST-1 b have a hazy atmosphere?
The other potential scenario is also tantalizing. The planet might have a hazy atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Thomas Henning, also at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, explained:
The data also allow for an entirely different solution. Contrary to previous ideas, there are conditions under which the planet could have a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide (CO2).
Previously, the observations of TRAPPIST-1 b seemed to preclude any atmosphere. That’s because the scientists measured the planet’s brightness at different wavelengths. All of those were in the thermal infrared range, between 12.8 and 15 micrometers. The first observation should have detected carbon dioxide if it were present. But it didn’t. The carbon dioxide would be expected to absorb the planet’s infrared radiation. That would cause the planet to dim in brightness as seen by Webb. There might, however, be another explanation for that: haze.
How haze could explain Webb observations
The new study showed carbon dioxide could reverse the usual pattern. Instead of the lower layers of the atmosphere being warmer, haze would heat the upper layers more. The warmer carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere would emit the infrared radiation, which Webb could detect. In other words, instead of the measured infrared radiation meaning no carbon dioxide atmosphere, the radiation would actually be produced by the atmosphere itself. This is similar to what happens on Saturn’s moon Titan. Titan has a thick atmosphere – the only moon that does – with a layer of dense smog-like haze composed of hydrocarbons.
While also plausible, and it does also fit the data, the researchers currently consider this scenario to be less likely than the first. It would be surprising if TRAPPIST-1 b still had a substantial atmosphere. Like most other red dwarfs, its star emits intense radiation that can strip nearby planets of their atmospheres.
View larger. | Depiction of TRAPPIST-1 b during a transit of its red dwarf star. Image via Elsa Ducrot (CEA/ MPIA/ Max Planck Society).
The transit method
It is still difficult to even detect atmospheres on smaller rocky planets like those in the TRAPPIST-1 system. The researchers noted that the two observations cited in the study are not enough. Additional observations will be required to determine if TRAPPIST-1 b actually does have an atmosphere … or not.
Webb observes the seven planets of TRAPPIST-1 as they transit in front of its star, as seen from Earth. This is called the transit method, or transit spectroscopy. As a planet passes in front of its star, it dims the starlight slightly. Scientists can measure that to determine things like the planet’s size and if it has an atmosphere. Sometimes they can also determine what the atmosphere is composed of.
But red dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1 often have large starspots – like our sun’s sunspots – and powerful solar eruptions. Those can make transit observations even more difficult. So astronomers also use thermal infrared light observations, like they did with TRAPPIST-1 b. As with the transit method, the infrared radiation also contains clues about a planet’s surface and atmosphere.
Infrared temperature clues
Astronomers have already made these infrared observations of TRAPPIST-1 b. But the data are still being fully analyzed, and, as noted, further observations will be needed. For example, if astronomers see the temperature of the planet abruptly change at the division between the day side and night side, that would be strong evidence for no atmosphere. That’s because an atmosphere would typically carry heat from the day side to the night side. But with no atmosphere, the day side would remain hot while the night side remained cold.
Bottom line: Does exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b have an atmosphere? A new study said it either has a hazy atmosphere or is geologically active, with volcanoes or plate tectonics.
View larger. | Artist’s illustration of TRAPPIST-1 b as it is about to pass behind its red dwarf star. A new study suggested that TRAPPIST-1 b is either airless but very geologically active, or has a hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. Image via Thomas Müller (HdA/ MPIA/ Max Planck Society).
TRAPPIST-1 b is the innermost rocky exoplanet in the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system. Like the other six planets, it’s about the same size as Earth.
Does TRAPPIST-1 b have an atmosphere? Previous observations by the Webb Space Telescope suggested it does not. A new study of recent Webb data, however, indicates it might have one after all.
The planet could have a hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere. Or it might have no atmosphere, but be highly geologically active with volcanoes or even tectonic plates.
Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b might have a hazy atmosphere
TRAPPIST-1 is one of the most intriguing known planetary systems found so far. It has no less than seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star. Scientists are still studying it with the Webb Space Telescope and trying to determine which of the planets might have atmospheres. The two innermost planets, TRAPPIST-1 b and c, were the first scientists looked at. Initial indications were that TRAPPIST-1 b did not have an atmosphere. But on December 16, 2024, a team of researchers said that might not be the case after all.
The researchers published their peer-reviewed results in Nature Astronomy on December 16, 2024. A free preprint version of the paper is also available on arXiv.
Previous studies of data from Webb seemed to show the planet had no atmosphere, or very little at best. That wasn’t too surprising because it orbits so close to its red dwarf star, which emits intense radiation. A similar result was also obtained for TRAPPIST-1 c.
For both planets, the star’s radiation might strip away any atmosphere the planets had. Red dwarf stars are usually very active, more so than our own sun.
Two possibilities for TRAPPIST-1 b
The new study shows how difficult it is to detect and analyze atmospheres on planets that are so far away from us. That is especially true for smaller rocky planets like TRAPPIST-1’s. TRAPPIST-1 is 40 light-years from Earth.
The researchers used the Mid-Infrared Imager (MIRI) instrument on Webb to study TRAPPIST-1 b further. The results suggested two possibilities. Either the planet is highly geologically active with volcanoes or even plate tectonics but no weathering on its surface. Or, it could have a thin, hazy atmosphere, probably composed of carbon dioxide.
Is the planet geologically active?
The first possibility is that TRAPPIST-1 b has a weathered rocky surface but no atmosphere. That seemed to fit with the analysis of previous Webb data. But it doesn’t match up as well with the newer data. Astronomer Jeroen Bouwman at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) said:
The idea of a rocky planet with a heavily weathered surface without an atmosphere is inconsistent with the current measurement. Therefore, we think the planet is covered with relatively unchanged material.
The new results suggest the surface is only about 1,000 years old at most. That’s really young, geologically speaking. That may indicate the planet’s crust is active and subject to extreme changes, such as through volcanism or plate tectonics. It could be like Jupiter’s moon Io. Jupiter’s gravitational pull squeezes and stretches the moon’s interior, generating heat. This powers Io’s hundreds of volcanoes. In fact, Io is the most active volcanic body in the whole solar system.
This explanation for TRAPPIST-1 b is still hypothetical, but it’s plausible.
Or does TRAPPIST-1 b have a hazy atmosphere?
The other potential scenario is also tantalizing. The planet might have a hazy atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Thomas Henning, also at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, explained:
The data also allow for an entirely different solution. Contrary to previous ideas, there are conditions under which the planet could have a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide (CO2).
Previously, the observations of TRAPPIST-1 b seemed to preclude any atmosphere. That’s because the scientists measured the planet’s brightness at different wavelengths. All of those were in the thermal infrared range, between 12.8 and 15 micrometers. The first observation should have detected carbon dioxide if it were present. But it didn’t. The carbon dioxide would be expected to absorb the planet’s infrared radiation. That would cause the planet to dim in brightness as seen by Webb. There might, however, be another explanation for that: haze.
How haze could explain Webb observations
The new study showed carbon dioxide could reverse the usual pattern. Instead of the lower layers of the atmosphere being warmer, haze would heat the upper layers more. The warmer carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere would emit the infrared radiation, which Webb could detect. In other words, instead of the measured infrared radiation meaning no carbon dioxide atmosphere, the radiation would actually be produced by the atmosphere itself. This is similar to what happens on Saturn’s moon Titan. Titan has a thick atmosphere – the only moon that does – with a layer of dense smog-like haze composed of hydrocarbons.
While also plausible, and it does also fit the data, the researchers currently consider this scenario to be less likely than the first. It would be surprising if TRAPPIST-1 b still had a substantial atmosphere. Like most other red dwarfs, its star emits intense radiation that can strip nearby planets of their atmospheres.
View larger. | Depiction of TRAPPIST-1 b during a transit of its red dwarf star. Image via Elsa Ducrot (CEA/ MPIA/ Max Planck Society).
The transit method
It is still difficult to even detect atmospheres on smaller rocky planets like those in the TRAPPIST-1 system. The researchers noted that the two observations cited in the study are not enough. Additional observations will be required to determine if TRAPPIST-1 b actually does have an atmosphere … or not.
Webb observes the seven planets of TRAPPIST-1 as they transit in front of its star, as seen from Earth. This is called the transit method, or transit spectroscopy. As a planet passes in front of its star, it dims the starlight slightly. Scientists can measure that to determine things like the planet’s size and if it has an atmosphere. Sometimes they can also determine what the atmosphere is composed of.
But red dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1 often have large starspots – like our sun’s sunspots – and powerful solar eruptions. Those can make transit observations even more difficult. So astronomers also use thermal infrared light observations, like they did with TRAPPIST-1 b. As with the transit method, the infrared radiation also contains clues about a planet’s surface and atmosphere.
Infrared temperature clues
Astronomers have already made these infrared observations of TRAPPIST-1 b. But the data are still being fully analyzed, and, as noted, further observations will be needed. For example, if astronomers see the temperature of the planet abruptly change at the division between the day side and night side, that would be strong evidence for no atmosphere. That’s because an atmosphere would typically carry heat from the day side to the night side. But with no atmosphere, the day side would remain hot while the night side remained cold.
Bottom line: Does exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b have an atmosphere? A new study said it either has a hazy atmosphere or is geologically active, with volcanoes or plate tectonics.
Earth has never been more observed, with swarms of spacecraft providing nonstop satellite imagery of our planet. And there’s some amazing imagery to look back on this year! From historic hurricanes to a total solar eclipse, here are 12 breathtaking sights captured by NOAA’s GOES satellites in 2024.
Hurricane Helene – the most destructive storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Its storm surge made neighborhoods in Florida’s Big Bend unrecognizable. And even after the storm weakened and moved inland, heavy rain led to catastrophic flash flooding in the Carolinas. Helene was the deadliest and most destructive tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite followed its every move. In this infrared imagery, the colors represent a combination of factors including moisture levels and sea surface temperatures, illustrating the intensity of the storm as it made landfall.
The Park Fire, California’s 4th Largest Wildfire in recorded history
Northern California is no stranger to wildfires, but this year’s Park Fire burned its mark into the record books. Covering nearly 430,000 acres (174,000 hectares), it became California’s 4th-largest wildfire in recorded history. Starting on July 24, the massive fire lasted for more than 2 months. In this satellite imagery timelapse from GOES-18, you can see the smoke plume develop and the fire expand over 2 days.
An atmospheric river impacting the US West Coast
When forecasting weather for the West Coast of the United States, what’s happening out over the Pacific Ocean is key. One weather phenomenon forecasters watch for is atmospheric rivers, which are narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere. GOES-18 tracked this typical atmospheric river on November 19-21, allowing experts to see where the highest amounts of moisture were in an approaching storm system.
A view of North America’s total solar eclipse
The many millions of people in the path of totality weren’t the only ones watching the total solar eclipse on April 8 this year. The GOES-16 satellite had the best seat in the house, capturing the moon’s shadow in this 2-hour timelapse as it moved across North America. Were you lucky enough to stand in that shadow?
An enormous flare from our star
The GOES satellites aren’t only monitoring Earth … they can also see our star! On October 3, the recently launched GOES-19 spacecraft imaged the largest flare of Solar Cycle 25 so far. It was an X9 flare, with X being the most powerful category of solar flare. GOES-19 captured the powerful blast in ultraviolet light with its Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) instrument. With the sun now officially at the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, we can expect more imagery like this as we move into 2025!
Historic Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico
Suddenly springing to life on October 7, Hurricane Milton quickly became the 5th-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. The destructive storm devastated parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast and caused a tornado outbreak across the state. In this timelapse of infrared satellite imagery from GOES-16, you can watch the storm intensify on its journey through the Gulf of Mexico, across Florida, and back out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Wildfire smoke in Western Canada
The U.S was not the only country in North America dealing with historic wildfires this year. Canada also battled large wildfires this summer, with a prolonged drought after the warmest winter season on record contributing to major fires in British Columbia and Alberta. In this GOES-16 satellite imagery from November 13, we can see the jet stream transport the wildfire smoke into parts of New England.
Lake-effect snow for Thanksgiving weekend
A side of lake-effect snow might not be what you want brought to the table at Thanksgiving … but that’s exactly what a few states in the Great Lakes region got this year. Over Thanksgiving weekend, lake-effect snow bands set up and dropped more than 5 feet of snow in some areas, including parts of western New York. This GOES-16 imagery shows the prolonged snow bands impacting locations from New York to Michigan.
A sister satellite launch from space
In typical sibling fashion, the satellites in the most recent GOES-R series can keep an eye on each other from the moment they blast off into space. On June 25, GOES-19 – the 4th and final GOES-R satellite – was spotted lifting off from Cape Canaveral by its sister satellite, GOES-16. This imagery, which comes from an instrument designed to spot wildfires, shows the fire from the rocket carrying GOES-19 into orbit.
Summer flooding in South Florida
If you live in Florida, you know that the summer months can be very rainy. But sometimes, expanded plumes of tropical moisture contribute to extreme rain events, as seen this past June in South Florida. From June 11-14, storms dropped huge amounts of rain, with totals reaching just over 19 inches (48 centimeters) in Hollywood and almost 14 inches (36 centimeters) in Miami Beach. This GOES-16 satellite imagery shows the storms developing and pummeling Florida with lightning strikes and torrential rain on June 11-12.
A pre-Valentines nor’easter
In the run-up to Valentine’s Day this year, it seems Mother Nature was not in a loving mood. A strong nor’easter developed on February 10 and caused quite a mess from the mid-Atlantic up into New England. With this type of storm, powerful winds howl in from the northeast, bringing with them lots of moisture from the Atlantic. In this timelapse of images from GOES-16, you can see the massive storm system move into the northeast overnight on February 12-13.
Tornadoes break out across the Great Plains
At the end of April, parts of the Great Plains from Texas through Iowa were battered by a line of severe thunderstorms. And these storms spawned more than 100 tornadoes. This water vapor imagery from GOES-16 reveals the moisture-rich storms as they developed from April 25-28. The green spots represent the areas of highest moisture, coinciding with the location of each supercell storm.
Bottom line: Enjoy our 12 favorite pieces of satellite imagery from the past year, from historic hurricanes to a total solar eclipse. Thank you, GOES satellites!
Earth has never been more observed, with swarms of spacecraft providing nonstop satellite imagery of our planet. And there’s some amazing imagery to look back on this year! From historic hurricanes to a total solar eclipse, here are 12 breathtaking sights captured by NOAA’s GOES satellites in 2024.
Hurricane Helene – the most destructive storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Its storm surge made neighborhoods in Florida’s Big Bend unrecognizable. And even after the storm weakened and moved inland, heavy rain led to catastrophic flash flooding in the Carolinas. Helene was the deadliest and most destructive tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite followed its every move. In this infrared imagery, the colors represent a combination of factors including moisture levels and sea surface temperatures, illustrating the intensity of the storm as it made landfall.
The Park Fire, California’s 4th Largest Wildfire in recorded history
Northern California is no stranger to wildfires, but this year’s Park Fire burned its mark into the record books. Covering nearly 430,000 acres (174,000 hectares), it became California’s 4th-largest wildfire in recorded history. Starting on July 24, the massive fire lasted for more than 2 months. In this satellite imagery timelapse from GOES-18, you can see the smoke plume develop and the fire expand over 2 days.
An atmospheric river impacting the US West Coast
When forecasting weather for the West Coast of the United States, what’s happening out over the Pacific Ocean is key. One weather phenomenon forecasters watch for is atmospheric rivers, which are narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere. GOES-18 tracked this typical atmospheric river on November 19-21, allowing experts to see where the highest amounts of moisture were in an approaching storm system.
A view of North America’s total solar eclipse
The many millions of people in the path of totality weren’t the only ones watching the total solar eclipse on April 8 this year. The GOES-16 satellite had the best seat in the house, capturing the moon’s shadow in this 2-hour timelapse as it moved across North America. Were you lucky enough to stand in that shadow?
An enormous flare from our star
The GOES satellites aren’t only monitoring Earth … they can also see our star! On October 3, the recently launched GOES-19 spacecraft imaged the largest flare of Solar Cycle 25 so far. It was an X9 flare, with X being the most powerful category of solar flare. GOES-19 captured the powerful blast in ultraviolet light with its Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) instrument. With the sun now officially at the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, we can expect more imagery like this as we move into 2025!
Historic Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico
Suddenly springing to life on October 7, Hurricane Milton quickly became the 5th-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. The destructive storm devastated parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast and caused a tornado outbreak across the state. In this timelapse of infrared satellite imagery from GOES-16, you can watch the storm intensify on its journey through the Gulf of Mexico, across Florida, and back out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Wildfire smoke in Western Canada
The U.S was not the only country in North America dealing with historic wildfires this year. Canada also battled large wildfires this summer, with a prolonged drought after the warmest winter season on record contributing to major fires in British Columbia and Alberta. In this GOES-16 satellite imagery from November 13, we can see the jet stream transport the wildfire smoke into parts of New England.
Lake-effect snow for Thanksgiving weekend
A side of lake-effect snow might not be what you want brought to the table at Thanksgiving … but that’s exactly what a few states in the Great Lakes region got this year. Over Thanksgiving weekend, lake-effect snow bands set up and dropped more than 5 feet of snow in some areas, including parts of western New York. This GOES-16 imagery shows the prolonged snow bands impacting locations from New York to Michigan.
A sister satellite launch from space
In typical sibling fashion, the satellites in the most recent GOES-R series can keep an eye on each other from the moment they blast off into space. On June 25, GOES-19 – the 4th and final GOES-R satellite – was spotted lifting off from Cape Canaveral by its sister satellite, GOES-16. This imagery, which comes from an instrument designed to spot wildfires, shows the fire from the rocket carrying GOES-19 into orbit.
Summer flooding in South Florida
If you live in Florida, you know that the summer months can be very rainy. But sometimes, expanded plumes of tropical moisture contribute to extreme rain events, as seen this past June in South Florida. From June 11-14, storms dropped huge amounts of rain, with totals reaching just over 19 inches (48 centimeters) in Hollywood and almost 14 inches (36 centimeters) in Miami Beach. This GOES-16 satellite imagery shows the storms developing and pummeling Florida with lightning strikes and torrential rain on June 11-12.
A pre-Valentines nor’easter
In the run-up to Valentine’s Day this year, it seems Mother Nature was not in a loving mood. A strong nor’easter developed on February 10 and caused quite a mess from the mid-Atlantic up into New England. With this type of storm, powerful winds howl in from the northeast, bringing with them lots of moisture from the Atlantic. In this timelapse of images from GOES-16, you can see the massive storm system move into the northeast overnight on February 12-13.
Tornadoes break out across the Great Plains
At the end of April, parts of the Great Plains from Texas through Iowa were battered by a line of severe thunderstorms. And these storms spawned more than 100 tornadoes. This water vapor imagery from GOES-16 reveals the moisture-rich storms as they developed from April 25-28. The green spots represent the areas of highest moisture, coinciding with the location of each supercell storm.
Bottom line: Enjoy our 12 favorite pieces of satellite imagery from the past year, from historic hurricanes to a total solar eclipse. Thank you, GOES satellites!
Bonobos (along with chimpanzees) are the closest surviving relatives to humans. They live solely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Bonobos are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for meat and pets. Unfortunately, poaching has left many bonobos orphans. On December 18, 2024, Durham University in the U.K. said a new study showed orphaned bonobos in a sanctuary in Africa have overcome trauma to develop social skills and empathy.
The researchers published their results on December 18, 2024, in the peer-reviewed journal Royal Society Open Science.
Bonobos have a matriarchal social structure. The Dutch-American primatologist Frans de Waal described bonobos as:
… capable of altruism, compassion, empathy, kindness, patience and sensitivity.
According to the study, bonobos that are separated from their mothers and end up isolated from their peers develop a trauma that can be immediate, but can also last into adulthood:
As with other mammals, early maternal loss in primates can have both immediate as well as lasting detrimental effects that persist into adulthood.
So, apes are social beings that live in groups with their peers and learn from them. In fact, the bond created between mother and infant is especially important.
Apes are social beings that live in groups. They have a special bond with their mothers. Separating a baby from the mother can cause trauma that can last into adulthood. Image via Petra Söhner/ Pixabay.
What are the results of the study?
The researchers studied rescued bonobos living at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. It is the only sanctuary in the world just for bonobos.
… living in an accredited African ape sanctuary to examine how rearing background, sex and age predict social tendencies including affiliation, consolation and aggression risk.
In the study, the researchers looked at the behavior of orphaned bonobos and their relationships with other bonobos that did have mothers. And they did this over the course of 10 years. The purpose was to discover whether the orphans would adapt and learn from their peers. The researchers were particularly interested in the social and emotional development of the orphaned bonobos who had not had a role model.
In the sanctuary, the researchers looked at behaviors such as social skills, aggression and empathy. The study showed the orphaned bonobos did have reduced social skills, but they still demonstrated a degree of typical behaviors for their species, gender and age. The paper said:
Our study highlights the potential that ape sanctuaries like this can have by demonstrating that orphans exhibit decreased affiliative tendencies yet show social functioning ranging within patterns of their mother-reared peers.
A team of researchers studied rescued bonobos living at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Africa over the course of 10 years. The orphans were able to overcome the trauma of being separated from their peers, and develop social skills and empathy. In this image, a young bonobo offers comforting contact to another after a conflict. Image via Zanna Clay/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
What does the future hold for these animals?
Researchers have shown that bonobos are indeed able to overcome trauma and develop social skills typical of those who do have mothers. They also highlight the importance of these studies and rehabilitation centers when it comes to caring for the apes before returning them to the wild. Lead author Stephanie Kordon of Durham University said:
The Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary does vital work in protecting this vulnerable species. While the orphans’ social development is not equivalent to that of their mother-reared counterparts, they overlap in the development and behaviors they display.
Kordon added:
By better understanding the healthy social development of bonobos, we aim to help the important rehabilitation and conservation efforts of this unique species.
Rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries are important to protect this endangered species that solely lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. In this image, a young bonobo carries another on her back, offering comfort and reassurance. Image via Stephanie Kordon/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
More about bonobos
Initially, bonobos were thought to be a subspecies of chimpanzee. In fact, they were known as pygmy chimpanzees, because they’re somewhat smaller than chimpanzees. However, scientists now recognize bonobos as a distinct species. According to a publication in the journal Nature:
It is known that whereas DNA sequences in humans diverged from those in bonobos and chimpanzees 5 to 7 million years ago, DNA sequences in bonobos diverged from those in chimpanzees around 2 million years ago. Bonobos are thus closely related to chimpanzees.
Bonobos and chimpanzees are the closest surviving relatives to humans. This image shows 2 bonobos in friendly social contact. Bonobos are capable of altruism, compassion, empathy, kindness, patience and sensitivity. Image via Stephanie Kordon/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
Bottom line: According to a new study, orphaned bonobos can overcome trauma and develop the social skills and empathy typical of the members of that species, gender and age.
Bonobos (along with chimpanzees) are the closest surviving relatives to humans. They live solely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Bonobos are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for meat and pets. Unfortunately, poaching has left many bonobos orphans. On December 18, 2024, Durham University in the U.K. said a new study showed orphaned bonobos in a sanctuary in Africa have overcome trauma to develop social skills and empathy.
The researchers published their results on December 18, 2024, in the peer-reviewed journal Royal Society Open Science.
Bonobos have a matriarchal social structure. The Dutch-American primatologist Frans de Waal described bonobos as:
… capable of altruism, compassion, empathy, kindness, patience and sensitivity.
According to the study, bonobos that are separated from their mothers and end up isolated from their peers develop a trauma that can be immediate, but can also last into adulthood:
As with other mammals, early maternal loss in primates can have both immediate as well as lasting detrimental effects that persist into adulthood.
So, apes are social beings that live in groups with their peers and learn from them. In fact, the bond created between mother and infant is especially important.
Apes are social beings that live in groups. They have a special bond with their mothers. Separating a baby from the mother can cause trauma that can last into adulthood. Image via Petra Söhner/ Pixabay.
What are the results of the study?
The researchers studied rescued bonobos living at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. It is the only sanctuary in the world just for bonobos.
… living in an accredited African ape sanctuary to examine how rearing background, sex and age predict social tendencies including affiliation, consolation and aggression risk.
In the study, the researchers looked at the behavior of orphaned bonobos and their relationships with other bonobos that did have mothers. And they did this over the course of 10 years. The purpose was to discover whether the orphans would adapt and learn from their peers. The researchers were particularly interested in the social and emotional development of the orphaned bonobos who had not had a role model.
In the sanctuary, the researchers looked at behaviors such as social skills, aggression and empathy. The study showed the orphaned bonobos did have reduced social skills, but they still demonstrated a degree of typical behaviors for their species, gender and age. The paper said:
Our study highlights the potential that ape sanctuaries like this can have by demonstrating that orphans exhibit decreased affiliative tendencies yet show social functioning ranging within patterns of their mother-reared peers.
A team of researchers studied rescued bonobos living at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Africa over the course of 10 years. The orphans were able to overcome the trauma of being separated from their peers, and develop social skills and empathy. In this image, a young bonobo offers comforting contact to another after a conflict. Image via Zanna Clay/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
What does the future hold for these animals?
Researchers have shown that bonobos are indeed able to overcome trauma and develop social skills typical of those who do have mothers. They also highlight the importance of these studies and rehabilitation centers when it comes to caring for the apes before returning them to the wild. Lead author Stephanie Kordon of Durham University said:
The Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary does vital work in protecting this vulnerable species. While the orphans’ social development is not equivalent to that of their mother-reared counterparts, they overlap in the development and behaviors they display.
Kordon added:
By better understanding the healthy social development of bonobos, we aim to help the important rehabilitation and conservation efforts of this unique species.
Rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries are important to protect this endangered species that solely lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. In this image, a young bonobo carries another on her back, offering comfort and reassurance. Image via Stephanie Kordon/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
More about bonobos
Initially, bonobos were thought to be a subspecies of chimpanzee. In fact, they were known as pygmy chimpanzees, because they’re somewhat smaller than chimpanzees. However, scientists now recognize bonobos as a distinct species. According to a publication in the journal Nature:
It is known that whereas DNA sequences in humans diverged from those in bonobos and chimpanzees 5 to 7 million years ago, DNA sequences in bonobos diverged from those in chimpanzees around 2 million years ago. Bonobos are thus closely related to chimpanzees.
Bonobos and chimpanzees are the closest surviving relatives to humans. This image shows 2 bonobos in friendly social contact. Bonobos are capable of altruism, compassion, empathy, kindness, patience and sensitivity. Image via Stephanie Kordon/ Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary/ Durham University.
Bottom line: According to a new study, orphaned bonobos can overcome trauma and develop the social skills and empathy typical of the members of that species, gender and age.
