New photos of hidden planets unveiled by blocking out their stars

Happy Fourth of July. It’s been a week of remarkable discoveries and everyday heroism. Stargazers can look forward to a rare double meteor shower lighting up the July sky, while a newly identified T. rex relative, hidden in a museum drawer for half a century, is rewriting the dinosaur family tree.

We hope you have a fantastic long weekend and look forward to catching up with you next Monday.

—Stephanie S

KINDNESS

Airport Heroes Find Missing Diamond After Wife’s Heart-Stopping Baggage Claim Drama

A couple’s trip to New York took a stressful turn when a woman lost her diamond ring at the airport baggage claim. The ring slipped off her finger while she was helping with luggage, and despite searching, she couldn’t find it.

Airport workers quickly stepped in to help. They reviewed security footage and scoured the area, determined to reunite the woman with her precious ring.

After a careful search, the team found the diamond ring wedged in a conveyor belt. Their dedication and teamwork paid off, bringing relief and joy to the couple.

This heartwarming story serves as a poignant reminder of the kindness and dedication of everyday heroes who go above and beyond for travelers.

ASTRONOMY

James Webb Telescope Unveils Stunning Photos of Hidden Planets by Blocking Out Their Stars

The James Webb Space Telescope has used a new coronagraph technique to block out a star’s light and directly image a possible exoplanet orbiting TWA 7, a red dwarf 111 light years away.

This marks a breakthrough, as most exoplanets have only been detected indirectly. The candidate planet is about the size of Saturn and sits in a gap in the star’s debris disk.

If confirmed, this would be the first direct image of a planet shaping its disk.

SPACE

Double Meteor Showers to Light Up the U.S. Sky on One Spectacular July Night

In another sky-related story, two meteor showers will light up the night sky on July 30-31, with the α-Capricornids and Southern δ-Aquariids peaking together. Stargazers in the Southern U.S. and farther south will have the best view, with up to 30 shooting stars per hour.

The event coincides with a waxing crescent Moon, ensuring dark skies for optimal viewing. Look for the constellations Capricorn and Aquarius to spot the radiant points.

Head outside for this rare celestial show and enjoy a memorable night under the stars.

NATURE

Forgotten Fossil Found in Museum Drawer for 50 Years Reveals Surprising New T. rex Relative

A new T. rex relative, Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, was discovered after sitting mislabeled in a Mongolian museum drawer for 50 years. This small, fleet-footed dinosaur helps fill gaps in the tyrannosaur family tree and shows how species moved between Asia and North America.

The find highlights how many museum collections may hold more hidden surprises, waiting to rewrite what we know about dinosaur evolution.

Another recent case involved a “mystery runner” dinosaur in London, also misidentified for years.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 4, 1938

Bill Withers Was Born

The soulful voice behind “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Just the Two of Us,” Bill Withers was born 86 years ago today in Slab Fork, West Virginia. A Navy vet who stuttered as a child, Withers didn’t pursue music until his 30s, working factory jobs by day while recording demos at night.

He released just a handful of albums, but his emotionally honest songwriting and warm baritone made him a soul legend. Withers earned three Grammys and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, writing songs that still echo across generations.

Other notable July 4 events:

1776: The U.S. Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.

1845: Henry David Thoreau began his two-year experiment in simple living at Walden Pond.

1939: Lou Gehrig gave his iconic “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech at Yankee Stadium.

2004: Greece shocked the world by winning the UEFA Euro Championship.

GOOD NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

What made us 😄 this week

👶 UK: Premature twins given no chance of survival are now thriving thanks to a revolutionary co-sleeping cot that kept them together.

🐾 USA: The dog tag of a fallen World War II soldier was returned to his family 80 years after his death.

🦘 Australia: After a kangaroo crash left two French tourists stranded, the small town of Nannup embraced them with 23 days of unforgettable kindness.

🪨 Germany: Archaeologists have carefully reconstructed a 5,500-year-old Neolithic monument, lifting 13 tons of stone to restore the ancient Küsterberg burial site.

👮‍♂️ UK: A police officer known as the 'Memory Cop' has utilized his extraordinary face-recognition skills to assist in the capture of 3,000 suspected criminals.

WORDS TO INSPIRE

Having a place to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.

— Donna Hedges

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Good news is such a vibe

Each day offers breakthroughs and inspiring stories that show the world’s incredible potential. Here are five reasons why there’s never been a better time to be alive:

🏠 Homes Printed Overnight: 3D printers can now build homes in 24 hours for under $4,000.

🛍 Entrepreneurship for All: Etsy has over 8 million active sellers globally, enabling individuals to start businesses from the comfort of their own homes.

🌱 Youth Fighting for the Planet: Over 4 million people across 161 countries joined climate protests in 2019.

🙏 A Calmer World: Meditation apps like Calm and Headspace have over 100 million downloads, democratizing ancient mindfulness practices.

🏡 Work from Anywhere: Around 20% of the global workforce works from home part-time, expanding access and flexibility for millions.

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