Two million years ago, Earth may have been exposed to cold, harsh interstellar clouds that could have affected the climate. New research reveals that the sun's location in the galaxy may have a greater impact on Earth's history than previously thought.
Thanks to the civic science initiative Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, the rare L sub-dwarf star CWISE J124909+362116.0 has been discovered moving unusually fast through the Milky Way, perhaps even on its way beyond our galaxy.