Looking back at the top Science Stories of 2012

A graphic showing traces of collision of particles at the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experience is pictured with a slow speed experience at Universe of Particles exhibition of the the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on December 13, 2011 in Geneva. Scientists at the CERN believe they have identified the location of the Higgs boson, a elusive subatomic particle that is thought to be a basic building block of the universe. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Exotic particles made headlines again and again in 2012, making it no surprise that the scientific breakthrough of the year was a big physics finding in a small package.

Looking back at the top Science Stories of 2012: Exotic particles made headlines again and again in 2012, making it no surprise that the scientific breakthrough of the year was a big physics finding in a small package: confirmation of the Higgs boson. Hypothesized more than 40 years ago, the elusive particle completes the standard model of physics, and could be the key to how other fundamental particles obtain mass. The only mystery that remains is whether its discovery marks a new dawn for particle physics or the final stretch of a friend that has run its course.

In other big news, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover landed on the red planet after ‘Seven Minutes of Terror,’ and a $2.5 billion mission. And chicks in the egg have demonstrated the first ever example of prenatal learning.

What were your top science stories from this year?

Guests:

Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic magazine and Executive Director of the Skeptics Society

Phil Yam, Managing Editor, Online for Scientific American