From the Las Vegas Sphere to an interview with Miss America, here are our staff picks for the top 5 news stories in 2023.

1) Running On Nuclear Energy: A Conversation With Miss America, Grace Stanke

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Photo: Grace Stanke

Earlier this year, we spoke with Grace Stanke, the first nuclear engineer to earn the title of Miss America. Our team talked to Stanke about her platform on nuclear energy, which currently faces many obstacles regarding public understanding and acceptance, and her plans for continued advocacy of nuclear technologies.

2) Las Vegas Sphere Holds First-Ever Event With U2 Concert

People entering Las Vegas Sphere for U2 Concert; Photo: John Locher:AP
People entering Las Vegas Sphere for U2 Concert; Photo: John Locher/AP

One of the biggest innovations of the year was The Sphere in Las Vegas, the world’s largest spherical structure and video screen. This venue is a giant orb covered inside and out with more than half a million square feet of programmable video screens that are said to be the highest resolution in the world. And, in the fall of this year, the venue hosted its first-ever show featuring the band U2.

3) Researchers Discover a New Species of Frog That Quacks

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Photo: University of Wolverhampton

A new species of music frog that quacks like a duck has been discovered in northeastern India. The research was funded by a National Geographic Explorer Grant and was a collaboration between Indian biologists and researchers from the University of Wolverhampton. This marks the third consecutive discovery of new amphibian species in the Namdapha-Kamlang region this year.

4) New Fairy Circles Identified at Hundreds of Sites Worldwide

Drone flies over the NamibRand Nature Reserve; Photo: Dr. Stephan Getzin
Drone flies over the NamibRand Nature Reserve; Photo: Dr. Stephan Getzin

Round discs of dirt known as “fairy circles” mysteriously appear like polka dots on the ground that can spread out for miles. A new study was recently published which used artificial intelligence to identify vegetation patterns resembling fairy circles in hundreds of new locations across 15 countries on 3 continents.

5) Las Vegas Debuts the World’s Largest Spherical Structure

Las Vegas The Sphere LED Technology; Photo: Sphere Entertainment
Las Vegas The Sphere LED Technology; Photo: Sphere Entertainment

At 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, the new MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is the world’s largest spherical structure and video screen. The exterior of the structure is fitted with 1.2 million hockey puck-sized LEDs, each containing 48 individual LED diodes capable of displaying 256m different colors. The interior design also features a massive curved 16K x 16K screen.