Blockbuster director James Cameron set a different kind of record on Monday by becoming the 1st person to reach the Challenger deep site (the deepest recess of the Mariana Trench) solo. While on his voyage 11 kilometers below the surface of the ocean, Cameron collected samples that will play a large role in helping us understand the biology of the deep water habitat. 

It’s so exciting that there are still so many places in the world that we know very little about. Discoveries and missions like the one led by National Geographic and Mr. Cameron should inspire a whole new generation of scientists and researchers and that, is something that Avatar can’t claim!

So many cool discoveries were made this year. Check out this Top 10 list from National Geographic and learn more about this year’s coolest finds. 

Oldest Tiger-like Skull hints that evolution had it right from the very start for the big cat. Click the diagram for the full story.

Introducing the “World’s Ugliest Dolphin”, the snubfin. Think they’re actually quite cute!

Experts estimate there only around 800 of these dolphins left in the world, confined to a small portion of Australia.