FROM THE EDITOR

Usually, I like to end the year by focusing on the positives, and this year I’ve really got my work cut out for me. That said, there has been a lot to feel hopeful about – and you’ll find most of it inside this issue. First and foremost, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) produced its first images. Piece by piece, the JWST has been filling in the gaps in our knowledge, providing data that shines a fresh light on how stars, black holes and planetary systems work. To discover what we’ve learned so far, head to p44.

Back here on Earth, there was also much to be excited about. We saw the first launch of the Artemis mission, the programme that will put humans back on the Moon. The tech developed to fight COVID, mRNA vaccines, was spun into a potent vaccine that fights malaria, a disease that affects some 280 million people every year. Plus, palaeontologists discovered a dig site that was buried on the day that the asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs hit Earth – a find that will tell the story of one of the most momentous days in the planet’s history. Head to p20 to get a round-up of the year’s key science stories.

Another positive has been our podcast, Instant Genius: it’s brought us all kinds of science stories we might not have discovered otherwise. This year, we found out that one of the founders of the Medical Detection Dogs charity had her life saved by a dog, that you can hear astronomical data, and that what you think about your health can have a significant effect on your wellbeing. Don’t miss out – come and find us on your favourite podcast app.

Enjoy the issue!