Jupiter's strange Spot and more: Understand the world through 8 images

Researchers discovered human footprints in New Mexico from 21,000 to 23,000 years ago. The footprints show that humans inhabited North America before the Last Glacial Maximum — when migration routes from Asia were blocked by ice.

A fireball was captured on film over North Carolina. More than 100 witnesses reported seeing the fireball throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

Inspiration4 crew member Jared Isaacman shared a video from the first night of the all-civilian mission showing a view of Brazil from the Crew Dragon capsule in orbit.

Scientists created a colorized version of the Covid-19 virus to use in animal models. The easily visible virus could help researchers better understand how Covid-19 spreads and develop better treatments.

Researchers documented a star being devoured by an intermediate black hole using X-rays emitted during the event. Intermediate black holes are relatively small and hard to observe under normal circumstances.

Scientists demonstrated that the phenomenon of “zen stones” — stones sometimes found balanced on ice pedestals — is caused by shade from the stone stopping the ice directly beneath it from sublimating in sunlight.

Astronomers discovered wind speeds on the boundary of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot increased about 8 percent from 2009 to 2020. The change was too small to notice without data from Hubble but adds one more mystery to Jupiter’s poorly understood Spot.

Researchers developed an A.I.-powered face mask that can change the pore size of its filter in response to environmental conditions. The mask could adapt to make breathing easier when higher filtration isn’t needed.