Year in Review Life

These scientific feats set new records in 2024

Noteworthy findings include jumbo black hole jets, an ultrapetite frog and more

Illustration of an asteroid hitting Antarctica

Bits of rock in Antarctica suggest an asteroid disintegrated over the icy continent roughly 2.5 million years ago.  

Mark A. Garlick/markgarlick.com 

By Andrea Tamayo

2024 was studded with record-setting scientific discoveries. From tracing the origins of glow-in-the-dark animals to developing the world’s fastest microscope, these superlative feats captured our imagination.

Ancient Airburst

Some 2.5 million years ago, an asteroid combusted in Earth’s atmosphere before it could hit the ground and leave a crater, making the event the oldest