Salty Clouds aren’t the only strange thing about this object in space
Summary
NPR’s Shortwave explores three scientific mysteries: salt clouds on the ambiguous exoplanet GJ504b, a potential female-only burial site of Homo naledi in South Africa, and the evolution of laughter in great apes. Hosts Regina Barber and Angela Zeng, with guest Juana Summers, discuss how these findings shed light on planetary formation, ancient human behavior, and the development of human communication.
Topics discussed
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GJ504b: Planet or failed star with salt clouds?
Homo naledi: Evidence of sex-specific burial practices
Great ape laughter and the evolution of human communication
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