On this week’s news update…
Discovery beneath the ice…
Beneath the Ice
A miniature rocket blasts into space…
Mini Space Rocket
And an orca that talks!
Talking Orca
First up, these ancient tools were used by reindeer hunters long ago.
They’ve been hidden beneath the ice in Norway for thousands of years…
Norway
But, as the climate gets warmer and the ice melts, they are being uncovered.
Archaeologists have gathered more than two thousand items, such as walking sticks, shoes, and arrows.
The archaeologists have to work quickly, because once the ancient items are exposed to wind, rain and air they begin to decay.
The team then carries out tests using a scientific method called carbon dating, to help figure out when they were used.
This teaches the archaeologists more about the history of the people and animals here.
Next up, it’s Space Track.
A miniature rocket carrying a tiny satellite has been launched into space.
The rocket blasted off from a space center in Kagoshima in Japan.
Kagoshima
It’s the smallest rocket ever to send a satellite into orbit.
The little satellite, called TRICOM-1R, is just over 30 centimeters long – which is about the same size as a box of breakfast cereal!
TRICOM-1R
Its mission is to take pictures and collect weather information to send back to Earth.
And finally, it’s Animal Watch.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are powerful predators.
orcas
They live and hunt together in groups, called pods.
And they make sounds to communicate with each other.
Now, an orca at a marine park has been taught to make the sounds of human words through the blowhole on the top of her head.
As part of a scientific study, 16-year-old Wikie copies the words her trainer says.
The trainer speaks first…
“Hello!”
And then Wikie has a go!
“Amy! One, two, three…”
And Wikie can also copy new sounds made by other orcas, like this…
I think that sound might be our favorite!
That’s all for this week—we’ll see you next time!