Dive into the brain-teasing world of science with The Globe’s exciting 2024 science quiz! From awe-inspiring astronomical events to groundbreaking discoveries in ecology and technology, this year has been filled with astonishing achievements and revelations. Prepare to put your knowledge to the test and discover what you really know about the latest advancements in science.

1. Matter and Space:

This year's highlight in astronomy was the spectacular total solar eclipse on April 8, which swept across central and eastern Canada. As we look to the future, are you ready for Canada’s next total solar eclipse on August 22, 2044? Which two cities in the west will be plunged into darkness?

- a. Whitehorse and Yellowknife - b. Vancouver and Victoria - c. Calgary and Edmonton - d. Regina and Winnipeg

**Answer:** c. The largest cities in Alberta, Calgary and Edmonton, are perfectly situated to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event! Mark your calendars; it’s just around the corner!

2. Lunar Landmarks:

This year marked a historic moment with the first successful soft landing of a commercial spacecraft on the moon. Do you know which Canadian-built equipment was aboard Intuitive Machine's Odysseus lander?

- a. A drill - b. A laser rangefinder - c. A telescope - d. A Zamboni

**Answer:** c. The telescope, created by Canadensys Aerospace Corp in Ontario, was the first of its kind to reach the lunar surface—though in an unfortunate twist, it ended up aimed at the moon's dusty terrain after the lander tipped over.

3. Distant Worlds:

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, 2024 was a significant year for discovering fascinating planets in distant solar systems. Which nickname does NOT belong to a planet observed by the JWST this year?

- a. The Beaver Planet - b. The Eyeball Planet - c. The Popcorn Planet - d. The Vodka Planet

**Answer:** a. While beaver moons exist, there are no beaver planets! The eyepopping Eyeball Planet (LHS 1140 b), Popcorn Planet (WASP-107 b), and Vodka Planet (TOI-270 d) found themselves under the JWST’s spotlight this year.

4. Tiny Technology:

Researchers at Western University made a groundbreaking achievement by tying the world’s smallest knot using what precious metal?

- a. Gold - b. Hafnium - c. Platinum - d. Trifolium

**Answer:** a. The intricate knot, shaped like a trefoil, comprised just 54 atoms, with six of them being gold atoms! This discovery, published in *Nature Communications*, reflects the innovative edge of nanotechnology.

5. Volcano Monitoring:

Out of the 28 Canadian volcanoes surveyed this year, how many were classified as posing a very high risk to people and infrastructure?

- a. 0 - b. 2 - c. 14 - d. 28

**Answer:** b. The assessment identified British Columbia's Mt. Garibaldi and Mt. Meager as very high-risk volcanoes. The study shed light on Canada’s shortfalls in volcano monitoring as compared to international standards, urging a re-evaluation of safety measures.

6. Changing Climates:

How has climate change affected the summer shipping season in the Northwest Passage, based on a Canadian-led study?

- a. Up to 14 weeks shorter - b. No change - c. Up to 14 weeks longer - d. Up to 28 weeks longer

**Answer:** a. Researchers found that climate change has unexpectedly shortened the summer shipping season by up to 14 weeks due to ice mobility changes in the Arctic Ocean.

7. Hurricane Havoc:

Which hurricane caused record-breaking floods in Quebec this year?

- a. Hurricane Beryl - b. Hurricane Debby - c. Hurricane Helene - d. Hurricane Lee

**Answer:** b. Hurricane Debby is noted for the immense flooding it caused, making it one of Quebec's costliest weather events, while Hurricane Helene brought swathes of destruction to North Carolina.

8. Pyrocumulonimbus Phenomenon:

This year's devastating Jasper wildfire was exacerbated by a rare meteorological event. Which country experiences the most pyrocumulonimbus events?

- a. Australia - b. Canada - c. Russia - d. USA

**Answer:** b. Canada tops the list with the highest occurrences of these storm clouds, indicating a need for heightened wildfire preparedness as conditions worsen.

9. Fossil Influence:

What children’s book inspired scientists to describe a unique fossil tree discovered in New Brunswick?

- a. The Giving Tree - b. The Lorax - c. Winnie-the-Pooh - d. The Wizard of Oz

**Answer:** b. The ancient plant resembled the iconic truffula trees from Dr. Seuss's classic, a delightful intersection of literature and paleontology!

10. Snakes and Self-Recognition:

What extraordinary ability did researchers discover in Eastern garter snakes this year?

- a. They can recognize themselves based on smell - b. They prefer to hibernate in pesticide-contaminated soil - c. They can survive immersion in water for up to one week - d. All of the above

**Answer:** a. Remarkably, these snakes can identify themselves through scent, suggesting complex sensory capabilities previously unexpected in reptiles.

How did you fare in this ultimate science quiz? Whether you aced it or stumbled, there's always more to learn and discover. Stay tuned for more exciting science coverage in the upcoming years, and don’t forget to share your scores with friends for a friendly challenge!