Captivating Chronicles: Unveiling the Best Science Discoveries of 2024

The Art of Conducting Fieldwork on the Moon. This innovative perspective on the concept of fieldwork transports readers to the Moon and back as a new cohort of planetary researchers and astronauts acquires skills for conducting fieldwork indirectly.
—Jennifer Schmidt, Managing Editor

Our senior science reporter, Kim, crafted this insightful article discussing Deaf geoscientists developing new signs for sharing their scientific findings. After all, who wants to finger-spell “chromatography” multiple times throughout a lecture?
—Emily Dieckman, Associate Editor

It was dubbed the “year of democracy” by many, and I truly valued that Eos reported how candidates addressed scientific matters in its coverage—which persists, as science policy is increasingly becoming crucial around the globe.

—Heather Goss, Publisher and Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

The Origins, Current State, and Prospects of Extraterrestrial Sample Return. A great deal of discussion exists within the space policy domain regarding the future of a sample return mission from Mars. A pivotal inquiry surrounding this issue is, Why is there a necessity for sample returns at all? If you find yourself pondering whether a sample return mission is truly worthwhile, this article is tailored for you.
—Kimberly M. S. Cartier, Senior Science Reporter

Remote observations via telescopes, spacecraft, and landers yield an abundance of insights about various planets and celestial bodies within the solar system. However, there are limitations to what can be comprehended from a distance. This piece presents a persuasive argument “to persist in collecting, returning, and safeguarding materials from beyond our planet” and expresses optimism that future missions will “uphold the legacy of past sample return efforts well into the future.”
—Timothy Oleson, Senior Science Editor

Tatooine, Trisolaris, Thessia: Sci-Fi Exoplanets Echo Authentic Discoveries. I found my colleague Eos writer Kim’s article on how advancements in exoplanet research have influenced science fiction to be quite intriguing. It is captivating to consider that our understanding of the real universe may shape our creativity in fictional realms. (And, were you aware that Arrakis is an actual location?)
—Grace van Deelen, Staff Writer

As an individual who appreciates cooking on an open flame, I had never fully acknowledged how detrimental my culinary choices might be to my health and the environment. As part of our #AGU24 coverage, I explored the ways gas stoves contribute to pollution, the potential health repercussions arising from methane leaks, and methods to reduce some of those risks.
—Anaise Aristide, Senior Production and Analytics Specialist

Can the Belt and Road Initiative Become Greener? China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative possesses the capacity to transform global dialogues and policies surrounding sustainable growth. I appreciate that this article centers on Chinese infrastructure within a distinct South American context; it highlights the vastness of the project, alongside its practical objectives.
—Caryl-Sue Micalizio, Editor in Chief

I’ve been enjoying The Pudding this year, a site that creates some truly intriguing and interactive data essays analyzing, for instance, the disparity between individuals whose jobs necessitate predominantly sitting or mostly standing,how science fiction realms have progressed in recent decades, and how distinct urban areas might be impacted by climate change.
—Emily Dieckman, Associate Editor

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Sounds of Science edition, particularly The 21st Century’s “Music of the Spheres.” The concept of converting the universe’s light into sound is astonishing—and with over 2 billion individuals who have already heard the profound and “foreboding” sounds of a black hole, it’s evident that I’m not alone in my appreciation.
—Heather Goss, Publisher and Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

The Conversation released a revealing article discussing how the security of incarcerated individuals is frequently compromised during natural disasters.

As one of society’s most at-risk demographics, individuals in jails and prisons depend on others to prioritize their welfare and make choices in their best interest during public health crises. The article examines the distinctive impact Hurricane Helene had on those in jails and prisons and why they are frequently neglected.
—Anaise Aristide, Senior Production and Analytics Specialist

The Conclusion of the Eclipse. This year, countless individuals throughout the Americas were fortunate to experience a total solar eclipse. This breathtaking natural phenomenon is a happenstance of geometry, and as the Moon gradually distances itself from Earth, this happenstance will cease. Investigate what additional transformations the Moon’s slow departure will instigate.
—Kimberly M. S. Cartier, Senior Science Reporter

Point Nemo, the Most Isolated Location on Earth. This science-related narrative is a fascinating exploration of the oceanic pole of accessibility—the pursuit of it, occurrences nearby, and attempts to reach it.
—Jennifer Schmidt, Managing Editor

What Was the Magnitude of the “Great Oxidation Event”? Crafting an engaging story about isotopic analyses of sediments poses a challenge, even for experienced science writers. This first-person narrative of recent investigations skillfully navigates the topic, guiding readers from the ancient era of the early Proterozoic to the contemporary, acidic waters of Spain’s Rio Tinto (and back) to clarify how a study of chromium isotopes helped harmonize conflicting theories surrounding the early oxygenation of Earth’s atmosphere.
—Timothy Oleson, Senior Science Editor

Elephants Exhibit Profoundly Human-like Traits. I enjoy a captivating animal tale, and 2024 was brimming with them, including this analysis revealing that African elephants utilize name-like calls and identify other elephants as unique individuals. Thanks to research like this, over 500 scientists and philosophers declared this year that there exists a “realistic possibility” that all vertebrates and numerous invertebrates embody consciousness—wow!
—Grace van Deelen, Staff Writer

There is a club edit of this year’s Dance Your PhD champion. Kangariffic.

—Caryl-Sue Micalizio, Editor in Chief

Citation: AGU (2024), Our preferred science narratives of 2024, Eos, 105, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EO240589. Released on 23 December 2024.

Text © 2024. AGU. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
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