News Bites - National Geographic Kids

Scientists have discovered a new species of giant amphipods, or shrimp-like animals, in one of the world's deepest ocean trenches. The Kermadec Trench is found off of the northern coast of New Zealand. The largest of the amphipods is an amazing 11 inches (28 centimeters) long. "Amphipods are common to deep-sea trenches, but they're usually 2 to 3 centimeters [about an inch] long. They turn up in a matter of minutes like a swarm of bees and simply devour all of the bait," said Alan Jamieson, a marine biologist at the University of Aberdeen and co-leader of the expedition that found the animals.

Learn about the giant amphipods and see more pictures on National Geographic News.

Play Zipper's Great Barrier Grrr-eef on National Geographic Kids.


Photograph courtesy Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow when he came out of his tree stump this morning in Pennsylvania. According to the legend, if Phil sees his shadow, we should expect six more weeks of winter weather. If Phil does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner.

Read more about Punxsutawney Phil on National Geographic News.

Learn about groundhogs on National Geographic.


Photograph by Gene J. Puskar

A strong solar flare from an active region of the sun caused a dramatic display of the aurora borealis (northern lights) and aurora australis (southern lights). The solar flare sent a cloud of gas and charged particles called a coronal mass ejection, or CME, at the Earth. The flare's collision with the Earth's magnetic field causes the brilliant light displays.

The sun has a cycle 11 years long. We are now in the part of the cycle where the sun's activity is higher. Scientists predict that we will continue to see this kind of intense auroras as the sun's activity increases, reaching what is known as solar maximum next year.

See more pictures of this week's auroras on National Geographic News.

See pictures of the sun on National Geographic Kids.


Photograph by Thilo Bubek

Scientists have been taking a closer look at the "dance" that dung beetles perform on top of their dung balls. So why do the beetles dance? They're using the sun to figure out which direction to travel. As the beetle moves on top of the dung ball, it is checking the position of the sun to help it navigate.

Read more about the dung beetle dance on the National Geographic News Watch blog.

Reunite dung beetles with their dung balls in the Dung Beetle Derby game.


Photograph by Chris Johns, National Geographic