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Skywatchers are set for a rare celestial spectacle on August 12 when a total solar eclipse sweeps across parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland, accompanied by a planetary alignment before dawn and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower after sunset. The eclipse will begin near the North Pole before moving south across the Atlantic. The moon’s shadow will travel about 8,260 kilometres in roughly 90 minutes, with maximum totality lasting up to two minutes and 18 seconds off Iceland’s west coast. In mainland Spain, the eclipse will occur near sunset, with total darkness lasting around one minute in most locations. Small parts of Portugal, Greenland and Iceland will also experience totality before the event ends over the Mediterranean. A partial eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, West Africa, Canada, the northern United States, Alaska and Siberia. Scientists have stressed that certified eclipse glasses are essential for safe viewing, even where only part of the sun is obscured. The eclipse coincides with several other astronomical events. Before sunrise, six planets will form an arc across the sky, while the Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak after nightfall under dark, moonless conditions. Space agencies and research institutions are preparing extensive observation campaigns. The European Space Agency (ESA) will host a live webcast from Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre and organise public viewing events in Leon. NASA and the Virtual Telescope Project will also provide live coverage. ESA’s Proba-3 mission and two of its solar telescopes will observe the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, while NASA-backed university teams plan to launch more than 60 high-altitude balloons from Spain and Iceland to study atmospheric changes during the eclipse. A NASA high-altitude aircraft will also chase the moon’s shadow, allowing scientists to extend totality to nearly three minutes while collecting thousands of images of the solar corona. Astronomers say the Aug. 12 eclipse is only the beginning of an extraordinary period for eclipse enthusiasts. On Aug. 2, 2027, an exceptionally long total solar eclipse lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds will cross southern Spain before continuing over North Africa and the Middle East. Spain will also witness an annular, or "ring of fire," solar eclipse on Jan. 26, 2028, completing a rare sequence of three major solar eclipses in less than three years. Spain has not experienced a full mainland total solar eclipse since the early 20th century, making the upcoming events especially significant for scientists and skywatchers alike.

A scientist has solved a mystery that began more than 40 years ago after confirming the discovery of a rare new seaweed species found in the UK's ancient underwater maerl beds. Professor Christine Maggs first spotted the tiny pink-striped seaweed while studying maerl beds during her PhD research in the 1980s. Believing it could be an unknown species, she spent decades searching for enough material to identify it. Maerl beds are made up of thousands of pieces of hard, coral-like seaweed that form rich underwater habitats for a wide variety of marine life. Although Prof Maggs occasionally found small traces of the seaweed over the years, she never collected a large enough sample to confirm its identity. The breakthrough came two years ago when researchers surveying maerl beds off the coast of Cornwall discovered a specimen they believed matched the mysterious seaweed. Prof Maggs carefully stored the sample in a wine fridge, using its cool, dark conditions to preserve and grow the seaweed before carrying out DNA testing. "I just kept hoping that one day I would find out. It's been more than four decades," she told the BBC. The discovery has now been confirmed, and a sample of the newly identified species has been added to the Natural History Museum's collection. The seaweed was found during a project led by Natural England to monitor the health of Cornwall's maerl beds. Scientific diver Lucy May said exploring the underwater habitat is a unique experience. "It's magical. You feel completely surrounded by nature," she said. The research team regularly encounters marine creatures such as spider crabs, starfish, king scallops and goby fish during their dives. Marine biologist Francis Bunker, who collected the crucial samples, said he often examines seaweed closely with a magnifying glass while diving. He recognised that the tiny pink-banded seaweed could be the species Prof Maggs had been searching for and gathered as many samples as possible before sending them to her. Because the seaweed was extremely small, Prof Maggs needed to grow it before DNA sequencing could be carried out. "Getting the genetic information was essential," she said. "That's why solving this mystery has taken 40 years." Source: BBC

China launched new satellites into space on Thursday to test communication technologies, according to the China National Space Administration. The satellites were launched at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province aboard a modified Long March-6 rocket. The satellites successfully entered their planned orbits after the launch. They will be used mainly for satellite communications, television and broadcasting services, and data transmission. They will also support tests and verification of related technologies. Thursday’s launch marked the 660th mission of the Long March rocket series.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Tuesday that it will prohibit the import of foreign-manufactured humanoid robots, a decision widely viewed as targeting China due to concerns over national security. The measure is expected to add pressure to U.S.-China relations as competition in advanced robotics continues to intensify. China currently dominates the global humanoid robot industry, accounting for an estimated 85% of the worldwide market, far ahead of the United States and other competitors. The restrictions cover newly imported humanoid robots, quadruped robots—commonly known as robot dogs—and foreign-made power inverters. According to the FCC, these products could expose the United States to supply chain risks while also creating cybersecurity and broader national security vulnerabilities. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the policy is intended to strengthen and protect America's critical supply chains. The latest move follows a series of U.S. actions aimed at limiting the presence of Chinese technology, including bans on Chinese-made drones and discussions about restricting Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models as China's AI capabilities continue to expand. Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think tank specializing in Chinese technology policy, described the decision as another source of tension ahead of the planned September meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit is expected to follow their mid-May discussions in Beijing. Industry data from Barclays shows that China was responsible for approximately 85% of global humanoid robot deployments last year, supported by strong government investment and favorable industrial policies. Morgan Stanley projects China's humanoid robotics market could grow to $15 billion by 2030. Morningstar analyst Kangyuxiao Li noted that Chinese manufacturers have rapidly increased production while lowering costs more effectively than many international rivals. He said restricting access to the U.S. market could shield American companies from lower-priced competition, but it is unlikely to significantly slow China's progress due to its large domestic market and growing export opportunities elsewhere. Research firm Omdia reported that about 15,000 humanoid robots were shipped worldwide in 2025. Chinese companies Unitree and AGIBOT each delivered more than 5,000 units, whereas U.S. firms such as Tesla and Figure AI shipped only a few hundred robots or fewer. Omdia also noted that China is increasingly focusing on Europe as a major destination for its advanced robotics exports, including humanoid robots. Chinese officials have consistently defended the country's technological growth, arguing that it offers global benefits rather than posing a threat, despite concerns in countries such as the United States about the potential economic impact of a new wave of Chinese industrial expansion. Analysts believe the U.S. restrictions could also complicate partnerships between American and Chinese technology companies. For example, Nvidia introduced a humanoid robot reference design in June that incorporates the chassis of Chinese robotics company Unitree. Recently, the Pentagon added Unitree to a list of Chinese firms it claims have connections to or support China's military. Beijing has rejected the allegation and said it strongly opposes the designation.

Scientists have proposed that the ancestors of modern vertebrates, including humans, may have passed through a “cyclops-like” stage nearly 600 million years ago, with a primitive central eye eventually contributing to the evolution of today’s paired eyes. A study by researchers from Lund University in Sweden and the University of Sussex suggests that an ancient ocean-dwelling creature with a single central eye may have played a crucial role in shaping the visual system of vertebrates. The researchers also believe that traces of this ancient eye structure may still exist in the modern brain as the pineal gland, which helps regulate sleep. “The results are a surprise. They turn our understanding of the evolution of the eye and the brain upside down,” said Dan-E Nilsson, professor emeritus in sensory biology at Lund University. The tiny ancestor was a worm-like creature that lived in the ocean around 600 million years ago and remained mostly stationary, feeding by filtering plankton from seawater. Researchers believe the animal may have initially had two eyes or groups of light-sensitive cells. However, because it later adopted a less active lifestyle, paired eyes became less useful and gradually disappeared through evolution. The creature retained a group of light-sensitive cells in the centre of its head, which developed into a primitive “median eye”. While it likely could not form detailed images, the organ may have helped the animal detect changes between day and night and identify its orientation in the water. Millions of years later, as descendants of the creature became more active swimmers, the need for advanced vision returned. Scientists suggest that parts of the original central eye system were reused, eventually giving rise to the image-forming paired eyes found in vertebrates. The findings may explain why vertebrate eyes developed differently from those of animals such as insects and squid. “The retina of vertebrates developed from the brain, while the eyes of insects and squid originate from skin tissue on the sides of the head,” Nilsson said. The retina, a thin layer at the back of the eye, contains light-sensitive cells that convert visual information into electrical signals sent to the brain. The researchers said their conclusion is based on comparisons of light-detecting cells across different animal groups, including their location, function and connections with nerves and other tissues. They described vertebrate eye evolution as an unusual evolutionary journey in which an ancestor lost its original paired eyes, preserved a simple central eye, and later used elements of that system to develop a more advanced visual structure. The study also suggests that the ancient central eye may not have completely vanished. Instead, its evolutionary remains may survive as the pineal gland, a small organ deep inside the vertebrate brain. Although the human pineal gland does not produce visual images, it plays an important role in controlling the body’s sleep-wake cycle by producing melatonin, a hormone linked to darkness and light. In many vertebrates, the pineal system can directly detect light, while in humans light signals reach the brain mainly through the eyes. “It’s mind-boggling that our pineal gland’s ability to regulate our sleep according to light stems from the cyclopean median eye of a distant ancestor 600 million years ago,” Nilsson said. Source: Science Daily

Brazil is using advanced forensic technology to identify the origin of gold in an effort to curb illegal mining in the Amazon, a major threat to the rainforest, Indigenous communities and the environment. The work is being carried out at the National Institute of Criminalistics in Brasilia, where the federal police have established a specialized "gold lab" to collect and analyze gold samples from across the country. The lab's goal is to determine whether seized gold came from protected areas, such as Indigenous territories or national forests, where mining is prohibited. The process, known as "gold fingerprinting," allows experts to trace the source of gold with a high degree of accuracy. Researchers say each gold deposit contains a unique chemical signature. As gold forms naturally underground or in riverbeds, it absorbs tiny amounts of surrounding elements such as silver and copper, creating a distinct fingerprint. By comparing a seized sample with data stored in the laboratory's database, investigators can determine whether the gold was legally mined or illegally extracted from protected areas. Federal police forensic expert Gustavo Geiser said the technique has been developed since 2019 in partnership with Brazilian universities using advanced technologies including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation mass spectrometry. If tests confirm that gold was illegally mined, the findings can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Authorities say illegal mining groups often use fraudulent documents to sell illegally mined gold through legal markets, similar to schemes involving illegally sourced cattle and timber. The problem has intensified as global gold prices have risen, encouraging more illegal mining across the Amazon. According to Amazon Mining Watch, about 496,000 hectares of rainforest have been cleared for mining since 2023, including around 223,000 hectares in the Brazilian Amazon. Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts said last year there was evidence that permits issued to small-scale miners had been misused to disguise gold extracted from protected areas. A separate Greenpeace investigation described a "ghost mine" scheme, in which operators claim gold was produced from licensed mines that show no mining activity, while nearby Indigenous lands display extensive illegal mining operations. Earlier this month, a federal court in the northern state of Pará ordered government agencies, including the Central Bank and the National Mining Agency, to improve gold tracking from mines to markets. Federal prosecutors have also filed a lawsuit seeking stricter oversight of mining permits, arguing that some licences are being used to launder gold mined illegally by criminal groups operating in protected areas. Geiser said the forensic laboratory strengthens criminal investigations while helping improve the credibility of Brazil's gold supply chain by verifying the legal origin of gold entering financial markets. He added that criminal networks are increasingly moving illegally mined gold through neighboring countries such as Venezuela, French Guiana and Suriname. Gold samples from those countries have also been added to the laboratory's growing database. Illegal gold mining remains a major environmental concern in the Amazon. While mining contributes less to deforestation than agriculture, it causes long-lasting environmental damage because miners commonly use mercury to separate gold from other materials. The mercury often ends up in rivers, contaminating water and fish that many Indigenous communities rely on for food. A 2023 study by Brazil's Fiocruz research institute found that more than one-fifth of fish sold in Amazon markets contained mercury levels above World Health Organization safety limits. The study also found that children aged two to four in some areas were exposed to mercury levels up to 31 times higher than recommended. Brazil is a signatory to the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims to eliminate mercury use in gold mining. This month, Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy published a draft proposal to gradually phase out mercury use in mining. Public consultation on the proposal will continue until Aug. 7. Federal prosecutors have called for Indigenous communities, which are among the most affected by mercury pollution, to be included in the consultation process. Geiser said a complete ban on mercury would not only reduce environmental damage but also make it easier for investigators to identify illegal mining operations.

Scientists in France say they have uncovered the basic building blocks behind the remarkable variety of birdsongs, finding that thousands of bird species create their songs using just eight fundamental sound patterns. The study analysed more than 116,000 recordings from over 3,000 bird species collected through a global birdsong database featuring recordings uploaded by volunteers. Researchers found that every birdsong is made up of combinations of eight basic sound "motifs" — three types of trills, three types of whistles, chaotic notes and harmonies. Birdsong is considered one of nature's most advanced forms of sound-based communication, but its immense variety has made it difficult for scientists to study on a global scale. Lead researcher Quentin Bacquelé, a PhD student at the University of Saint-Etienne, said birds from different parts of the world produce very different songs, making it challenging to identify common patterns. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the research team compared thousands of recordings and discovered that the wide range of birdsongs is built from the same small set of sound motifs. The study also found that the environment where birds evolved plays a major role in shaping their songs. Birds living in tropical forests tend to use simpler sounds, such as flat whistles, which can travel more effectively through dense vegetation and noisy natural surroundings. In contrast, birds in temperate forests often produce more complex songs with rapid trills and combinations of sounds that can carry more information over shorter distances. Researchers say this reflects an evolutionary trade-off. While more complex songs can communicate richer information, they are less effective over long distances in dense environments. Bacquelé said the findings could help scientists better understand how birds may adapt as human activity changes natural soundscapes through increasing noise pollution. He also stressed the importance of protecting natural habitats, noting that birdsongs are closely linked to the environments where they evolved. "If a forest disappears, the songs that evolved for that habitat may no longer suit the new environment," he said, adding that birdsong is an important part of people's connection with nature and should be preserved. Source: BBC

NASA is preparing for its next astronaut mission to the Moon by planning a major orbital rehearsal in 2027, when it will test commercial lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin before astronauts attempt a lunar landing in 2028. The tests will take place during the Artemis III demonstration mission, where astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft will carry out rendezvous and docking exercises with prototype Moon landers in Earth orbit. NASA says the mission, along with future uncrewed tests near the Moon, will provide valuable data to improve astronaut safety and reduce mission risks before humans return to the lunar surface. SpaceX and Blue Origin to test prototype landersNASA has selected SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop Human Landing Systems (HLS) that will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon and back. For Artemis III, both companies will launch prototype versions of their future Moon landers using commercial rockets. Meanwhile, the Artemis III crew will travel separately aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The mission will allow NASA to assess how the different spacecraft perform before they are used for future crewed Moon missions. Different approaches for the demonstrationSpaceX plans to use its latest Starship Version 3 spacecraft, which forms the basis of its future Moon lander. Blue Origin will test the crew cabin planned for its Blue Moon lander. Steve Creech, manager of NASA's Human Landing System Programme, said both companies have proposed ambitious test plans that will support later uncrewed and crewed missions. "The prototype landers will provide valuable information for future development while giving us greater confidence in the spacecraft before astronauts land on the Moon," he said. Blue Origin astronauts will enter test cabinDuring the mission, up to two Artemis III astronauts wearing Orion survival suits will enter Blue Origin's test lander to evaluate its systems. The spacecraft will also carry a specially designed instrument that will collect information on cabin conditions, similar to the "Moonikin" mannequin used during NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission. Starship to perform docking testsSpaceX's Starship prototype will carry a docking system at the front of the spacecraft, allowing Orion to dock directly with it. Unlike the Blue Origin test, Artemis III astronauts will remain inside Orion during the Starship docking exercise. NASA and SpaceX will study how the connected spacecraft perform together and evaluate communications, navigation and spacecraft control systems. Three powerful rockets to launch within daysThe Artemis III demonstration will involve launching three powerful rockets over a relatively short period. Blue Origin's test lander is expected to launch first, followed by Orion aboard NASA's SLS rocket and then SpaceX's Starship prototype. NASA says the demanding schedule will test launch operations, mission control teams, communication systems and coordination among multiple launch facilities across the United States. After completing docking tests with both landers, the Artemis III astronauts will return safely to Earth aboard Orion. Jeremy Parsons, NASA's Artemis programme manager, described Artemis III as one of the agency's most complex missions. He said the demonstration would help prepare NASA for future Moon missions by testing launch operations, spacecraft integration and mission planning. Preparing for future Moon missionsNASA plans to use a "dual-launch" strategy for future lunar missions, with the Moon lander launched first and placed in orbit before astronauts arrive aboard Orion. The Artemis III mission will allow NASA and its commercial partners to rehearse that process for the first time. Blue Origin's lander is designed to remain in orbit for up to 30 days, giving engineers time to inspect and test its systems before Orion launches. Once Blue Origin completes its docking exercises, SpaceX will launch Starship for the second phase of the mission. Safety remains the priorityBefore the mission begins, NASA will certify that both lander prototypes meet all safety requirements before allowing the crewed Orion spacecraft to approach them. The agency will review hardware, software and safety systems to ensure astronauts remain protected throughout the docking operations. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin have already completed extensive ground testing of their docking systems. NASA says the Artemis III mission will also evaluate how Orion and the commercial landers communicate, operate together and maintain stable flight while docked. The Artemis programme is part of NASA's long-term plan to return astronauts to the Moon, support scientific research, establish a sustained human presence there and develop the technologies needed for future crewed missions to Mars. Source: Science Daily

A private space mission was launched Tuesday to help extend the working life of aging communication satellites by attaching small propulsion units to spacecraft that are running low on fuel. The mission, launched aboard a SpaceX rocket, is part of a growing effort to reduce costs by keeping satellites operating for longer instead of replacing them. Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), equipped with two robotic arms, will spend about a year travelling to geosynchronous orbit, around 36,000 kilometres above Earth. Satellites in this orbit move at the same speed as Earth's rotation, allowing them to remain fixed over the same location and provide continuous communications coverage. By mid-2027, the robot is expected to attach a jet-powered propulsion unit to an aging communications satellite before moving on to service two more satellites. The mission also carried three electric-powered propulsion units, each about the size of a washing machine. After separating from the launch vehicle, they will travel independently to the target orbit using xenon-powered thrusters. Once there, the robotic spacecraft will collect and install them on selected satellites. These propulsion units are designed to give fuel-depleted satellites enough power to continue operating for several more years, potentially saving satellite operators millions of dollars by delaying the need for costly replacements. The first customers for the service are Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES and Australia's Optus. This is Northrop Grumman's latest satellite-servicing mission. In 2019 and 2020, the company successfully launched two servicing spacecraft that docked with aging communications satellites and extended their operational lives. The company plans to expand the technology in the future so robotic spacecraft can repair, reposition and even remove inactive satellites from crowded orbital paths. The project is being developed in partnership with the US Naval Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Meanwhile, another private company, Katalyst Space Technologies, is continuing to test its Link servicing spacecraft before attempting to raise NASA's Swift Observatory into a higher orbit. Engineers have resolved early communication and navigation issues by sending software updates to the spacecraft. Launched in 2004, NASA's Swift space telescope has been losing altitude faster than expected because of increased solar activity. If the planned orbit-raising mission succeeds in the coming weeks, the nearly $400 million observatory could continue studying powerful cosmic explosions for several more years. NASA is paying Katalyst Space Technologies $30 million for the mission to return Swift to its original orbit of about 600 kilometres above Earth. Link was launched earlier this month aboard a Pegasus rocket provided by Northrop Grumman.

Scientists have discovered three previously unknown types of Helicobacter bacteria in pygmy sperm whales, offering new clues about the health of one of the ocean's most mysterious marine mammals. Pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) are among the least studied whale species because they spend most of their lives far offshore, travel in small groups and dive deep to hunt squid and fish. As they are rarely seen in the wild, much of what scientists know about them comes from whales that wash ashore. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and partner institutions reviewed more than two decades of whale stranding records and preserved tissue samples. Their findings, published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, identified three previously undocumented Helicobacter genotypes, named Kogia Helicobacter 1, 2 and 3. The discovery is the first confirmed evidence of these bacteria in pygmy sperm whales and could help scientists better understand the role bacterial infections play in the health of marine mammals. "Helicobacter bacteria are known to cause stomach-related illnesses in humans and other animals, including chronic inflammation, ulcers and even stomach cancer," said lead researcher Annie Page. "Finding new strains in a deep-diving whale species is an important scientific discovery." New bacteria identified Between 1999 and 2020, researchers examined 59 stranded pygmy sperm whales, conducting post-mortem examinations on about 80% of them. Four whales were found to have spiral-shaped bacteria in their stomach tissue. Further laboratory testing and DNA analysis confirmed that the bacteria belonged to three previously unknown Helicobacter genotypes. According to researcher Wendy Marks, two of the newly identified bacteria are genetically similar to Helicobacter species previously found in dolphins, porpoises and humans. The third belongs to a more distinct genetic group, suggesting that many unknown bacteria may still exist in the ocean. Signs of stomach disease All four whales carrying the bacteria also showed signs of digestive system disease, including stomach inflammation, ulcers, tissue scarring and parasitic worm infections. One whale also had inflammation in its intestine. Although researchers did not conclude that the bacteria caused the whales' deaths, they said the repeated presence of stomach damage suggests the infection may contribute to long-term health problems. Helicobacter bacteria were first identified in marine mammals in 2000 and have since been found in several whale and dolphin species. Infections have been linked to stomach ulcers, inflammation, reduced appetite and other digestive disorders. More research needed Scientists say it remains unclear how common these newly discovered bacteria are among pygmy sperm whales or how much they affect the animals' health. Because the species is rarely observed in the wild, further studies will be needed to determine whether the bacteria contribute to illness, strandings or broader population declines. Researchers said the discovery also highlights the importance of long-term marine mammal stranding programmes, which provide valuable opportunities to study species that are otherwise difficult to observe. The study involved scientists from Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, Colorado State University and Marine Mammal Pathology Services. Source: Science Daily