Astronomers have discovered a new, previously unnoticed concentration of icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, dubbed the 'inner kernel.' This finding, made possible by advanced clustering algorithms, suggests the cold classical belt is more layered than previously thought. It offers crucial new insights into Neptune's complex migration and the early evolution of our Solar System, challenging existing models.

Antarctica's ozone hole is showing significant recovery, appearing smaller and breaking up earlier this year. Scientists attribute this positive trend to global efforts under the Montreal Protocol, which has reduced ozone-depleting chemicals. While weather plays a role, the long-term outlook for the ozone layer's full recovery by the late 2060s remains promising.