2024 in review: Historic and unassuming events of the year - Video
As 2024 draws the curtain, the year has been marked by some unexpected and historic events that stoked global attention and chatter.
From scientific breakthroughs to space exploration milestones and incredible records from individuals, the year surely gave us a spectacle we didn't expect.
Here is a compilation of a few unexpected events in 2024:
NASA spacecraft completes closest-ever approach to the sun
On Friday, December 27, NASA announced that its Parker Solar Probe was "safe" and operating normally after making the closest-ever approach to the sun by any human-made object. On December 24, the spacecraft passed just 6.1 million kilometres from the solar surface, entering the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, to help scientists learn more about our closest star.
Richard "Rick" Slayman - the first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant
Richard "Rick" Slayman was the first man in the world to receive the groundbreaking genetically modified pig kidney transplant in March. Unfortunately, he passed away two months later.
Ace Liam became the world's youngest male artist GWR holder
Ace Liam, a one-year-old from Ghana was announced as the Guinness World Record's Youngest Artist. His mother shared the news via social platform X on May 14, 2024.
China's lunar mission returns to Earth with first-ever samples from the moon's far side
For the first time in world history, China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission returned to Earth from space in June with samples from the moon's far side. The samples comprised some of the moon's oldest rocks from the south pole.
Jaan Roose walks from Europe to Asia on a slackline
For 47 minutes on September 15, Jaan Roose, an Estonian covered 1,074 metres from Europe to Asia on a slackline across Turkey's Bosphorus Bridge.
Saudi surgeon performs the world's first fully robotic heart transplant
Saudi surgeon Dr Feras Khaliel became a global sensation after he performed the world's first fully robotic heart transplant in September. He was subsequently honoured by the country's Research, Development and Innovation Authority with Health Research Excellence: Applied Innovation.
Russ Cook's historic 352-day marathon across Africa
For 352 days, British extreme marathon runner, Russ Cook embarked on a 16,000-kilometre journey across 16 African countries. He began the marathon in the South African village of Cape Agulhas and ended at Ras Angela in Tunisia.
Nepal teen breaks record by climbing all 14 highest peaks
Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, became the youngest person to climb all 14 of the world's highest peaks, known as the 'eight-thousanders' on October 9.
World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space
Japanese researchers launched the world's first wooden satellite into space on Tuesday, November 5, as an early test for using timber in lunar and Mars exploration.
