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After the New Horizons probe flew over Pluto in 2015 and collected a series of images of the dwarf planet, scientists analyzed the data and reached a very unexpected conclusion.

Discovery of landslides in craters

The study, published in the scientific journal Icarus, recorded the presence of six landslides on the inner walls of three Pluto craters. The causes of these phenomena remain not fully understood.

Characteristics of debris movement

According to the researchers, the landslides were found in the Coughlin and Giclas craters, as well as in a third unnamed crater, all located on the western edge of Sputnik Planitia. The LORRI (Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager) instrument of the New Horizons probe allowed for the identification of surface structures measuring up to 300 meters.

These landslides left extensive accumulations of debris on the crater floors. The material moved a distance of 10.1 to 14.5 kilometers. Some of these deposits have an uneven surface, indicating the presence of large chunks of solid ice.

Geological activity of Pluto

In the areas where the landslides occurred, clearly defined concave cliffs are visible, from which the material detached and slid down the steep crater walls. The largest accumulation of debris covers an area of 130 square kilometers—enough to cover a small city or a large inland city.

Although landslides have been observed on other bodies in the solar system, such as Mars, these are the first cases registered on Pluto, suggesting ongoing geological activity on this icy world.

Hypotheses about the phenomena's causes

The team conducting the research notes that the exact cause of the landslides on Pluto has not yet been established. It is hypothesized that the landslide in the Coughlin crater could have been caused by a small nearby impact. One of the hypotheses relates to thermal stresses in the surface ice, which arise from minor temperature fluctuations. These changes lead to the periodic sublimation and condensation of Pluto's volatile substances, including molecular nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. Such fluctuations occur due to Pluto's elliptical orbit, which sometimes brings it closer to the Sun, crossing Neptune's orbit, and then moves it away again.

A new and rare monkey species, named Colobus congoensis, was formally described by scientists after years of research in one of the most biodiverse areas of Central Africa. This primate, known locally as Likweli by the Balanga people, has a notable characteristic: its deep croaking resembles the sound of a frog.

Discovery History

The identification of this novel animal occurred after prolonged investigations. The first record of the monkey dates back to 2008, when researchers from the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation were on an expedition in the forest that is now part of Lomami National Park. At that time, a blurry photo of a black-furred monkey in the tree canopy was captured, raising suspicions about its uniqueness.

The animal remained unknown for ten years. In 2018, researcher Jean Pierre Kapale led a new patrol and obtained a clear photograph of the monkey, characterized by dark, disheveled fur, a very long tail, and pale markings around the mouth. This triggered a deeper investigation, resulting in seven additional photographs in the following months, which confirmed it was the same individual seen in 2008.

Field Research and Observations

The searches extended until 2022, covering humid forests located between the Lomami and Congo (Lualaba) rivers, a biologically crucial region in Central Africa. A total of 114 observations were made in an area of approximately 1,700 km², comparable to the municipality of São Paulo.

Researchers consulted residents of 52 local villages regarding primates they recognized. The description of the rare species was provided in only eight of these villages. Among the Balanga, the name was Likweli, while in the Mituku communities, it was called kasaba nkoni, which means something like 'that which shakes the branches.'

Scientific Analysis and Classification

Field observations indicated that the primate possessed four fingers on each hand, including small thumbs, suggesting it might belong to the subfamily of colobines, known for being social frugivorous monkeys. To prove its novelty, genetic tests were conducted in the laboratory using specimens seized from hunters by the National Park guards.

Genetic tests confirmed that the species belongs to the genus Colobus and revealed a relationship with Colobus satanas, which lives about 1,200 km away, in central-western Africa. The two species are believed to have diverged evolutionarily approximately four or five million years ago, coinciding with the similarity of their vocalizations.

Additionally, morphological analyses of the skull, teeth, and face helped confirm the new species. Scientists named the new monkey Colobus congoensis, in honor of the Congo Basin where it was found.

Physical Characteristics and Conservation

The Colobus congoensis is an animal covered in dark fur, which can appear shiny depending on the light. Its face features dark coloration, prominent facial contours, and intense black eyes, giving it the appearance of a mask. It has a long tail, large ears, and weighs just over 5 kilograms, making it lighter than other members of the genus Colobus.

Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a bird-sized robot capable of simultaneously swimming and flying using only wing movements. Previously, no machine of this size could perform these maneuvers without propellers or external launch systems.

Studying Bird Behavior

The project was developed over two years in collaboration with the Federal Institute of Lausanne in Switzerland and a college in Washington State, USA. The research findings were published in the journal Science. To understand how birds use their wings for swimming and flying, the research team analyzed published data on species such as puffins and seagulls.

This data revealed a clear pattern: small diving birds flap their wings about ten times per second in the air and approximately four times per second in water. This rhythm formed the basis for the robot's development.

Robot Design and Testing

The robot weighs less than 200 grams. Its central unit contains a waterproof battery and motor that drive the mechanism for the specified wing movement rhythm. A small motorized tail tilts the robot's nose up during takeoff or down during submersion. The wings are thin membranes coated with water-repellent particles, which facilitates surfacing upon launch.

The wings are detachable and interchangeable. The team designed three sets with a wingspan ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 meters. Rigidity was critical: wings that were too flexible could not support the robot in the air, while those that were too rigid created excessive resistance in water.

Tests followed a set protocol. The robot was placed approximately 0.5 meters below the surface, adjusting the wings and tail at specific angles to test its ability to rise, overcome the surface, and take off. Experiments were first conducted in a tank and then on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Near the surface, the robot swam at a speed of about 0.9 meters per second, making about five wing flaps per second. In the air, it reached a speed of about 6.1 meters per second with a similar flapping frequency—a speed comparable to real diving birds.

Future Applications of the Technology

Currently, the team is working on modifying the wings so they can also rotate, which will allow the robot to maneuver more realistically, like a living bird. Tests in complex conditions, including scenarios with strong gusts of wind, are also planned. The researchers aim to use this device for ocean monitoring, making the work faster and less expensive, as vessels and stationary sensors require significant costs and have limited mobility. Furthermore, the robot will be able to collect samples in areas dangerous to humans, such as polluted waters, edges of ice floes, and volcanic lakes.