Last week, President Obama created the largest protected area anywhere on Earth by quadrupling the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument's size to 528,578 square miles. That area is larger than all the national parks combined! What are some benefits to protecting this portion of the ocean? Papahānaumokuākea is home to many endangered species, including sea turtles, whales and Hawaiian monk seals. Commercial fishing is banned within the expansion area, non-commercial fishing is allowed in the monument region by permit.  Click here to learn more about this new marine reserve! 

Scientists have discovered a new planet that they think is similar to Earth, but it's 4.2 lights years away! They are calling the new planet Proxima b. Read more about it here! 

Video: Reuters

Using radiocarbon dating techniques, scientists have found that a Greenland shark, a 5 meter long predator, may live to be more than 400 years old. This makes the Greenland shark the longest living vertebrate by at least 100 years. Scientists believe that cold water can help these sharks live longer because it may slow down their growth rate and biochemical activity. 

Fun facts:

• Greenland sharks only grow 1 centimeter a year.
• According to scientist estimates, most pregnant Greenland sharks are at least 150 years old before they have young.