Happening in the World: The Hayabusa2 Spacecraft (previously known as the hopping space boy in this bwogline!) has successfully retrieved a sample from the asteroid Ryugu. In order to collect a sample, Hayabusa2 fired a .2 ounce bullet tantalum “bullet” into the asteroid, kicking up dust. It then used its “sampling horn” to funnel the debris for collection. These samples are critical in allowing researchers to understand the solar system’s early history as well as how carbon-rich asteroids may have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth. However, the samples will not return to Earth until December 2020 in a special return capsule.

Happening in the US: A California judge has ruled against the State Department over a lawsuit over the citizenship of a same-sex couple’s children. Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks were told that one of their twin boys was not granted a U.S. passport because of a DNA test showing that the boy was biologically Elad’s, an Israeli citizen, while the other twin was biologically Andrew’s, an American citizen. The couple had not planned to find out which parent was biologically related to which boy, but the State Department asked for DNA tests. While the boys were born in Canada, since their parents were married, both boys got American citizenship by birth. A fact which was upheld by a federal judge in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Happening in NYC: On Wednesday, NYC reached a settlement of $5.3 million over charges that the Department of Transportation filed fraudulent claims to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The Department of Transportation request money from FEMA over vehicles allegedly damaged by the storm, however, according to multiple reports, many of the vehicles were unusable before the storm hit. Although the Department of Transportation claims that they are fully cooperating with the investigation, reports from the U.S. Attorney’s Office show that they had been aware of the situation since 2014.

Happening on Campus: The master’s in Sustainability Science program is holding a seminar titled, “How the Ice Sheets are contributing to Sea Level.” The speaker, Dr. Tim Creyts, is a glaciologist and Lamont Associate Research Professor whose research is focused on understanding the processes occurring near the bases of glaciers and ice sheets. The event is being held from 5 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday, February 26th in Hamilton Hall.

Documentary of the Week: I just watched Season 2 of the Dragon Prince and everyone needs to watch it so I can scream about it. (This is not a documentary) Also, watch What We Do in the Shadows it’s hilarious. It’s a mockumentary of 4 vampires that share a flat in Wellington, New Zealand and it’s directed by Taika Waititi (also is one of the main characters) and who I am eternally grateful for because of the masterpiece that is Thor Ragnarok.

hopping rovers: deux ex machina via Wikimedia Commons