Leap day 2024: Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?

Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about? | Copper Age necropolis unearthed in Italy contains skeletal remains and still-sharp weapons, maybe from ancient warriors | Underwater volcano eruption 7,300 years ago is the largest in recorded history Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( February 29, 2024 CONNECT WITH LIVESCIENCE  [Facebook]( [X](  [LIVESCIENCE]( Amazing science every day [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE](  [] Top Science News [] [Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?]( (volodyar via Getty Images) [Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?]( It's Feb. 29, which means it's leap day 2024. We may be getting an extra day, but why do we need leap years and how did they come about? [Read More]( [] History & Archaeology [] [Copper Age necropolis unearthed in Italy contains skeletal remains and still-sharp weapons, maybe from ancient warriors]( (© Italian Ministry of Culture - Soprintendenza of Mantua) [Copper Age necropolis unearthed in Italy contains skeletal remains and still-sharp weapons, maybe from ancient warriors]( Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed a Copper Age necropolis that contains nearly two dozen tombs and a collection of weapons. [Read More]( [] Planet Earth [] [Underwater volcano eruption 7,300 years ago is the largest in recorded history]( (NASA) [Underwater volcano eruption 7,300 years ago is the largest in recorded history]( The Kikai-Akahoya eruption, the largest volcanic explosion in recorded history, ejected more than 80 cubic miles of volcanic rock and ash off the southwestern coast of Japan 7,300 years ago. [Read More]( [] [Scientists say dehydrating the stratosphere could be plausible option to combat climate change]( [Scientists say dehydrating the stratosphere could be plausible option to combat climate change]( (Max Dollner) A new study explores the possibility of removing water from the air before it enters the stratosphere, where water vapor acts as a greenhouse gas, to mitigate the effects of climate change. Full Story: [Live Science]( (2/27) [] Space [] ['Mathematically perfect' star system being investigated for potential alien technology]( (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, Thibaut Roger/NCCR PlanetS) ['Mathematically perfect' star system being investigated for potential alien technology]( A distant star system housing 6 planets that move in 'mathematically perfect' orbits has ignited a search for possible alien technosignatures. [Read More]( [] Health [] [We finally know why humans don't have tails]( (SciePro via Shutterstock) [We finally know why humans don't have tails]( Researchers discover a potential genetic connection between humans' tail loss and a type of birth defect. [Read More]( [] Daily Quiz [] What are pluripotent stem cells? (Learn the answer [here](). [Vote]( [Cells that have the potential to become any type of cell in the body.]( [Vote]( [Cells that will become part of the central nervous system.]( [Vote]( [Cells that develop the early stages of the brain.]( [Vote]( [Cells that are used to clone organisms.](   [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Cookies Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:livescience@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE]( [Future]( Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036