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Astronomers have discovered a record-breaking number of 'rogue planets' roaming the galaxy after comparing telescope footage spanning 20 years.

Researchers have discovered at least 70 new rogue planets using data from several European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescopes, a new study published in Nature Astronomy has revealed.

Rogue planets are cosmic masses that are like planets except for the fact that they do not orbit a star and instead roam freely across the galaxy.

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First author of the study, Núria Miret-Roig, an astronomer at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux, France the University of Vienna, Austria, told Science Daily the researchers did not expect to find the largest amount of rogue planets ever recorded.

"We did not know how many to expect and are excited to have found so many," Ms Mire-Roig said.

The team used a range of telescopes to make the discovery including Chile's MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope.

Ms Miret-Roig said the researchers "measured the tiny motions, the colours and luminosities of tens of millions of sources in a large area of the sky".

"These measurements allowed us to securely identify the faintest objects in this region, the rogue planets," she said.

The study suggests there may be more rogue planets.

The exact number is difficult to determine because the observations do not allow the researchers to measure the planets' masses.

It is estimated the study found between 70 and 170 rogue planets.

Scientists are yet to discover how the rogue planets are formed.

For a while there, it appeared we might be able to ring in New Year's Eve in major cities across the world with something resembling big past celebrations.

Another COVID-19 surge and the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have dashed those hopes – at least in some parts of the world.

In New York City, the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be "scaled back," with fewer revellers and everyone required to wear a mask, Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said on Thursday.

But some major cities in Europe, where the spread of Omicron has been startling, have already announced they're flat-out cancelling plans.

READ MORE: Mask mandate returns to NSW for Christmas

Other cities around the world with traditionally iconic celebrations still plan to host their events but with safety precautions in place.

As of December 24, this what some of the world cities with traditionally huge New Year's Eve events are doing.

The following cities (or nations) have already announced they're cancelling their big shindigs:

ATHENS

No fireworks show over the Acropolis this year. Health Minister Thanos Plevris said during a news briefing on Thursday, December 23, that all public Christmas and New Year celebrations planned by municipalities are cancelled.

All travellers arriving in Greece will be strongly advised to take COVID-19 tests on the second and fourth days after their arrival, on top of the existing requirement to provide a negative test result to enter Greece.

Starting at 6 am, Thursday, December 24, masks will become mandatory again in both indoor and outdoor spaces. For supermarkets and public transport, a double mask or a high protection mask will be required.

The measures will last until January 3, when according to Mr Plevris, more restrictions might be put forward concerning sport and entertainment venues.

BERLIN

Germany will impose strict contact restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 starting on December 28 and prohibit New Year's Eve gatherings, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Tuesday, December 21.

That means no big fireworks gathering in Berlin, the capital, nor in other big gathering spots such as Munich and Frankfurt.

From December 28, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed to meet in groups, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or recovered, Mr Scholz said. Children 13 and younger are exempt from the new contact restrictions.

EDINBURGH

Public New Year's Eve celebrations in Scotland will be cancelled, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday, December 21.

In a statement, Sturgeon explained details for post-Christmas restrictions on large events to blunt the spread of Omicron.

Ms Sturgeon said the move will "also mean unfortunately that large-scale Hogmanay celebrations — including that planned here in our capital city — will not proceed. I know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events."

LONDON

A planned New Year's Eve event in London has been cancelled over COVID-19 concerns, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted on Monday, December 20.

"Due to the surge in Covid cases, we've taken the difficult decision to cancel our NYE event in Trafalgar Square," said the tweet from Mr Khan's verified account. "The safety of all Londoners must come first."

A statement attached to the tweet said the celebration had been expected to host 6,500 people in Trafalgar Square.

Instead, a program will be broadcast at midnight on BBC One, Mr Khan said.

NEW DELHI

The government of India's union territory of Delhi, which encompasses the national capital of New Delhi, has announced a ban on all social, cultural, political and festival gatherings until further notice because of a rise in COVID-19 cases, CNN's New Delhi Bureau reports.

All officials "shall ensure that no cultural events/gatherings/congregations take place for celebrating Christmas or New Year" in the region, according to the Delhi government's order.

Bars and restaurants will be allowed to operate at only 50 per cent capacity.

PARIS

Paris has cancelled its traditional fireworks display over the Champs-Elysées Avenue to welcome the New Year because of the renewed coronavirus surge.

"The fireworks will not take place, nor unfortunately will there be any DJ sets," the mayor's office told AFP in a report on France24.com.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Friday, December 17, that major public parties and fireworks would be banned on New Year's Eve and recommended that even vaccinated people take a self-test before getting together for year-end parties, according to Reuters.

RIO DE JANEIRO

New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's party capital, have been cancelled because of rising coronavirus concerns, Mayor Eduardo Paes tweeted on Saturday, December 18.

"We respect science. As there are divergent opinions among scientific committees, we will always stick with the most restrictive," Mr Paes wrote.

"I make the decision with sadness, but we cannot organise the celebration without the guarantee of all the health authorities. Unfortunately, we cannot organise a party of this size, in which we have a lot of expenses and logistics involved, without the minimum time for preparation," the mayor said.

ROME

In Italy, Rome is among several cities that have decided to cancel festivities over COVID-19 health concerns.

The Campania region has also banned feasts and alcohol consumption in public areas from December 23 to January 1. Venice also cancelled its open air concerts and New Year's Eve fireworks.

Events still scheduledNot all the world's cities have called off their celebrations. Here are some of the cities traditionally renowned for their exceptional fireworks and big New Year's Eve events that were still moving forward with their plans as of December 21.

BANGKOK

Thailand's capital will hold its celebrations, but with some some safety caveats. According to the Bangkok Post, only open-air venues are allowed. Attendees must be fully vaccinated, tested within 72 hours and registered to attend.

CAPE TOWN

South Africa's beautiful seaside city is still allowing NYE events for its residents, according to its tourism website, but with lots of safety checks in place. Those include early venue closings and strict curfews. Find more details of South Africa's safety measures here.

DUBAI

The pyrotechnics at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, are still planned, according to VisitDubai.com. The emirate is requiring visitors who want to be at the celebration to register using the U by Emaar app to receive individual QR codes that will allow access.

LAS VEGAS

America's gambling magnet still plans to launch fireworks from the top of eight hotel-casinos on the Strip for eight minutes, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. A downtown Las Vegas fireworks show will also be held.

SYDNEY

Australia's biggest city is going ahead with plans, but you'll need tickets to attend this year, according the the city of Sydney's New Year's Eve website. Full vaccinations are not required but are highly encouraged.

TAIPEI

The largest city on the island of Taiwan plans on holding its annual countdown show and fireworks at the towering Taipei 101 skyscraper, according to the Taipei Times and other local media.

An Oklahoma sixth-grader was honoured by law enforcement and school officials for his heroic actions not just once, but twice in the same day.

Earlier this month, Davyon Johnson used the Heimlich manoeuvre on a classmate who was choking on a bottle cap at his school in Muskogee. Later that same day, he helped a woman escape from a burning house, the Muskogee Phoenix reported.

Last week, Davyon was named an honorary member of the police and sheriff's departments at the Muskogee Board of Education meeting, the newspaper reported.

READ MORE: Mask mandate returns to NSW for Christmas

"I felt good, excited," Davyon said about the honour.

Principal Latricia Dawkins called Davyon a "dual hero" and said the recognition couldn't have happened to a better person.

"He is just a kind soul and well-liked by his peers and staff alike," she said.

Ms Dawkins recalled the incident that earned Davyon the honour. She said a student was trying to fill his water bottle and loosen the cap with his mouth. The cap slipped into his throat, she said.

The choking student stumbled into a nearby classroom, where Davyon happened to be, she said.

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"Davyon immediately sprinted over and did the Heimlich manoeuvre," Ms Dawkins said.

"From the account of the witnesses, when he did it the bottle cap popped out."

Davyon demonstrated how he got behind the choking student, wrapped his arms around the student and "burped him, kind of".

Davyon helped a woman evacuate her burning house later that day.

"It was a disabled lady and she was walking out of her house," Davyon said.

"She was on her porch. But I thought, being a good citizen, I would cross and help her get into her truck and leave."

He said the back of the house was on fire, "but it eventually got to the front of the house".

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Davyon said he learned to do the Heimlich manoeuvre on YouTube and said it is a valuable procedure to learn.

"Just in case you're in the situation I was in, you can know what to do," he said.

Davyon's mother, LaToya Johnson, said she's not surprised he behaved the way he did. She said her brother, Wendell Johnson, is an emergency medical technician.

"I'm just a proud mom," she said.

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This Christmas will be extra special for the Grayson family- because their baby will celebrate his first Christmas out of hospital.

Until a few weeks ago, little Dominic had never left Randwick Children's Hospital in Sydney.

Now his parents – Amanda and Kyle Grayson – are expecting him to finally be well enough for a festive day with his family.

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"We'll probably have a nice lunch with everything, he's never heard carolling or anything so we'll probably sing, it'll be a huge new experience for him," Mrs Grayson told 9news.com.au.

"It'll be our first proper Christmas being able to spend it with family, not being actually in hospital.

"It's a huge deal."

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As reported by 9News, the 15-month-old tot was born with some of his organs on the outside of his body.

It's called giant omphalocele.

According to Boston Children's hospital in the US, cases as severe as Dominic's impact as few as one in 10,000 babies, while less complex forms are more common.

Dominic was put into a special plastic bag after being delivered by Caesarean.

It was a rare birth defect. His stomach, bowel and liver – and possibly some of his other organs – were all outside his body.

He needed a special ventilator to keep him alive, and even now he is still unable to have surgery to put his organs inside his body.

READ MORE: Masks return inside for Christmas in NSW

However, a few weeks ago he reached a special milestone.

He has been able to move to a hospital closer to the NSW Central Coast family's home after living for his whole life at the Randwick hospital.

He is even allowed to leave Gosford Hospital for day visits to the family home in Gwandalan, New South Wales.

"It was surreal," Mrs Grayson, said.

"My dad came to visit, and Kyle's mum came which was really nice.

"He got to see the cat and the dog for the first time."

It also meant Mrs Grayson was able to sleep in her own bed for the first time in over a year.

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She had been staying at charity Ronald McDonald House, in Sydney which provides free accommodation for families of sick children, close to the hospital.

"It's really nice, lovely to be able to sleep in my own bed," she said.

The family is hoping Dominic will be able to go home for good in the New Year, once they've arranged carers and equipment they need, though will still need to return to Sydney often for appointments.

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They're planning to get Dominic something musical to unwrap on Christmas morning – as he loves his toy guitar.

He's has also shown a keen interest in computer games, like many other little boys.

Ronald McDonald House Charities has a Santa for Sick Kids appeal.

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It costs $160 to put a family up for a night.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney CEO, Simone Daher said: "When a family has a child that requires long term hospital treatment, not only does it impact them emotionally, but also financially.

"When they are staying with us, we like to make sure that Christmas is a special time for the whole family.

"By supporting our Christmas appeal, you are helping relieve the burden and stress and supporting the creation of special memories for these families."

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