Josie's Journey

SCIENCE

Astronomers may have discovered the first known exoplanet outside of the Milky Way.

According to Lisa Grossman of Science News, the planet is located in the Whirlpool galaxy-light-years from Earth. This discovery suggests there are many other planets outside of our solar system to be found.

The challenge comes during the search for the planets. Considering other galaxies are lightyears away, astrophysicist Rosanne Di Stefano explains that “they always assumed there were other planets in other galaxies, but to actually find something, is a beautiful thing. It’s a humbling experience.”

Some scientists speculate how coincidental the discovery actually is to find something in such a small time frame. Di Stefano counters, saying that the observations her team has done leads them to believe that there are many other extragalactic planets to be found. Morningside College student Megan Keller also believes there is more to be found, (Student Audio).

This particular planet will take many decades to be visible again, but more studies are in the future.

SPORTS

Morningside made a splash in its home pool this weekend hosting a dual against St. Ambrose.

Distance swimmers Kirsten Verplanke and James Spicer kicked off the meet with two first place finishes for the women’s and men’s teams in the 1,000-yard freestyle. Verplanke swam in to first place with a time of 12:05.82 and her teammates Elaine Morgan and Payton Miller finished just behind her taking second and third in the event. In the same event Spicer swam a respectable 10:45.68, nearly 45 seconds ahead of second place. Ron DeFauw another distance swimmer commented on his performance at the meet, (student audio).

For team scores the women’s team earned a total of 63 points and the men’s team 73 points. St. Ambrose won the dual with almost double the points for both the men’s and women’s teams.

The Mustangs will be competing in their home pool for the second time this season for the Morningside University Invitational on Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday Nov. 13.

CULTURE

People magazine has named Paul Rudd as the Sexiest Man Alive for 2021.

The 52-year old marvel actor often trends online as the internet periodically praises him for is ‘inability to age’.

In an interview with People Rudd revealed that his wife Julie was the only one he told beforehand, telling interviewers she was ‘stupefied’. Rudd explained that she laughed with shock but sweetly said “they got it right”, to which Rudd humbly denied.

Rudd has worked his way into fame playing roles in Friends, Roll Models, and Marvels Ant Man.

Morningside student Brianna Courtney had some thoughts to share about Paul Rudds new title (Student Audio).