Trend forensics by desk

Science

Space, climate, research and discoveries people are trying to understand.

Evidence-led reporting

Latest in Science

ended

Why the UK is Looking Up for the August 2026 Solar Eclipse

The spike in search interest is driven by the release of practical viewing guides for the August 12, 2026, partial solar eclipse, which will be the deepest visible from the UK since 2015. Observers are particularly interested in the event's overlap with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, which will follow just hours after the eclipse.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Spent SpaceX Rocket Stage Strikes the Moon, Drawing Scientific Scrutiny

An uncontrolled four-tonne SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage struck the Moon near the Einstein crater on August 5, 2026. The impact was driven by gravitational forces and solar activity after the hardware spent over a year floating in an eccentric orbit following a January 2025 lunar delivery mission.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
ended

How to Safely Observe the Partial Solar Eclipse Without Certified Glasses

Surging public interest ahead of the August 12 eclipse has left major retailers and observatories entirely out of stock of certified viewing glasses. Fortunately, simple projection techniques using everyday items allow stargazers to witness the event safely without risking eye or camera damage.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Why the 1999 Solar Eclipse Is Suddenly Back on the UK’s Radar

Discussions and retrospectives regarding the 1999 solar eclipse resurfaced as media outlets drew direct parallels to an upcoming partial solar eclipse in August 2026. The 27-year gap between these major astronomical markers has turned the historic event into a natural reference point for modern viewers.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Earthquake Rattles Northern California as Elk Hills Carbon Vault Faces Liability Scrutiny

Public and regulatory scrutiny over California's first underground carbon storage project has surged following a magnitude 3.9 earthquake in San Benito County. The seismic event highlights longstanding liability gaps, as state rules intended to govern monitoring and cleanup costs remain unfinalized more than 19 months past their statutory deadline.

Index 0 US WITT Editorial Desk
ended

When the Sky Went Dark: Why the 2026 Solar Eclipse Brought Communities Together

People gathered to watch the 13 August 2026 solar eclipse because it offered a rare chance to witness over 90% of the Sun blocked by the Moon across southern England and the Channel Islands. The spectacle drove communities to public headlands, local observatories, and makeshift viewing setups reminiscent of historical awe.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Moderna’s mRNA Flu Shot Wins FDA Approval After Dramatic Reversal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's mFlusiva mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older on August 5, 2026, just weeks after an initial refusal to review the application. The approval clears the way for commercial availability this fall, though patients face potential hurdles with insurance coverage due to stalled federal advisory panels.

Index 0 US WITT Editorial Desk
ended

A New Jersey House Call Preserves Pristine Asteroid Brines and Extraterrestrial Amino Acids

A meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey roof in July 2024 was analyzed and found to be an exceptionally rare primitive CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite. Published research reveals the rock preserved microscopic sodium-rich brines and hundreds of diverse amino acids, providing a pristine window into prebiotic chemistry before terrestrial contamination could set in.

Index 0 US WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Why SpaceX's Starship Ocean Recovery Sparked a Global Attention Surge

Public attention surged around SpaceX’s Starship following the successful, intact recovery of a test vehicle towed off the coast of Christmas Island on August 18, 2026. This rare marine salvage operation provided engineers with physical hardware to study heat shield durability after a July 24 test flight.

Index 0 US WITT Editorial Desk
ended

Why Channel 4's ADHD Documentary Sparked Immediate Backlash and Regulatory Complaints

A television documentary examining whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a legitimate neurobiological condition or a social construct has ignited a major controversy across the UK. The broadcast drew immediate condemnation from psychiatric authorities and patient advocacy groups who warned that invalidating the condition risks public misinformation and harms vulnerable patients.

Index 0 GB WITT Editorial Desk
igniting

Public Concern Surges Over Climate Extremes in the UK

Climate disaster warnings are gaining attention in the UK due to a growing scientific consensus on escalating climate extremes and recent catastrophic events like Australia wildfires and Pakistan floods.

Index 55 GB WITT Editorial Desk