The list of research suggests that there was an almost “minute by minute” monitoring of the phenomenon, with pragmatic questions such as “when it arrives”, “size”, “trajectory” e “tracking” to be part of the ranking, when closed on the topic. Science, in this case, mixed with fear of the unknown.
Still in this exclusive chapter of science, the curiosity of the Portuguese diversified to complex biological themes, rare atmospheric phenomena and folklore concepts. Respecting the order of greatest interest in the research, the main questions were:
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“What is cloud roll?” (firstly: it is a rare cloudy formation in the shape of a horizontal tube);
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“What are rare earths?” (2nd place: essential metals for technology, difficult to extract — at stake in the peace agreements for Ukraine, for example);
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“What are amniotes?” (3rd place: group of vertebrates, which includes us, whose embryos are protected by a membrane, the amnion);
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“What is thanatopraxy?” (5th place: aesthetic and temporary technique for preserving bodies for wakes);
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“What is an evanescent twin?” (6th place: rare phenomenon in which a fetus does not survive and is absorbed by the uterus);
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“What is a doppelgänger?” (10th place: German term for a perfect lookalike without blood ties).
These data show that there is an appetite in Portugal for unusual phenomena, whether in deep space, human biology or the mysteries of nature.
The general portrait of the year: football, blackouts and goodbyes
Beyond science, Google Portugal revealed this Thursday, December 4th, the complete ranking of the “Year in Research 2025”, the usual barometer that measures, in a certain way, the country’s social pulse. And here, we return to the themes that filled the news: the hegemony of football, the failures of infrastructure and the public figures who left us.
As you would expect, the Club World Cup topped the general polls, proving that football continues to be the nation’s favorite escape. However, reality intruded in second place with “Apagão”. The power failure that affected Portugal and Spain in April it generated a spike in searches from a population suddenly in the dark.
The accident at the Elevador da Glória also marked the year, reflecting the concern for heritage and safety in the capital.
The death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV marked the institutional agenda, along with the Legislative and Local Elections. The Portuguese turned to Google for practical civic questions, such as: “How do I know where to vote?”.
The national longing
The “Deceased” section reveals a difficult year for Portugal, especially with the premature and tragic death of footballer Diogo Jota, aged 28. He was joined by the farewells to Jorge Costa in sports, the legend Ozzy Osbourne in music and the artist Preta Gil.
And while “31/Atlas” worried conspiracy theorists, on a daily basis the Portuguese surrendered to usefulness of Artificial Intelligence. “AI to create images”, “AI for free academic work” and “AI to program” were the most sought after tools.
In lighter curiosities, the term “turbossexual” (popularized by Filipe La Cerda) left many people confused… And botany invaded homes, with thousands asking how to care for orchids, bonsai and the exotic “water pachira”.