New snake species discovered thanks to Instagram post

Oligodon churahensis is the newest snake species after a university student unknowingly posted a picture of it on Instagram in June 2020.

California Coastal Commission OKs plan to poison mice on Farallon Islands

The California Coastal Commission has approved a plan to poison invasive mice threatening rare seabirds on the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Delta Air Lines to charter U.S. Olympians to Beijing

The U.S. Olympic team’s airline partner, Delta Air Lines, will charter a flight from Los Angeles to Beijing to bring about half the American athletes to the Winter Olympics.

Xenobots, world’s first living robots, can reproduce, scientists say

Scientists said xenobots are able to self-replicate and while they currently serve no purpose to the human race it could be the pathway in treating cancer and health issues.

NASA spacecraft ‘touches’ sun for first time ever, flew through star's upper atmosphere

It took a few months to get the data back, but NASA was finally able to confirm its spacecraft officially touched the sun and flew through its atmosphere, known as the corona.

Mountain lion spotted on camera outside San Mateo home

Surveillance cameras outside a home in San Mateo captured a mountain lion in the neighborhood Tuesday morning.

4660 Nereus, asteroid the size of the Eiffel Tower, to fly past Earth

Asteroid 4660 Nereus is expected to come within 2.4 million miles of Earth on Dec. 11, which is close in asteroid terms. Here’s what to know about it.

Crab season delays implemented to protect humpback whales

Recreational Dungeness crab season in Zone 4 -- from Pigeon Point to Lopez Point --is set to open at 9 a.m. Friday, but new restrictions designed to protect migrating humpback whales and other marine life has delayed crabbing in some areas.

Recently-discovered comet visible from Earth for a short time

The comet called Leonard will be visible by earthlings for only a few days next week as it makes its way to the inner solar system.

NASA selects 10 new astronauts ahead of moon, Mars explorations

More than 12,000 applied for the coveted spots. The 10 selected are in their 30s and 40s, and face two years of training before becoming eligible for spaceflight.

Oxford scientist behind COVID-19 vaccine says next pandemic may be worse

Professor Sarah Gilbert, one of the scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, is warning that more money needs to be devoted to research and preparations.

Antarctica observes total eclipse, next one expected in 2039

Saturday’s total eclipse was a rare event in Antarctica, only to have happened one other time in the last century.