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Today’s solar eclipse gave us a spectacular reminder of the scale and precision of our Solar System.

On 12 August 2026, the Moon passed between Earth and the Sun, producing a total solar eclipse along a path crossing Greenland, Iceland and Spain, while much of the UK and Europe witnessed a partial eclipse.

From Liverpool, the eclipse began at around 6:13pm, reaching its maximum at approximately 7:10pm, when an incredible 91.8% of the Sun’s surface was covered by the Moon. At maximum eclipse, the Sun was still around 13° above the western horizon, making this an especially dramatic evening event.

Liverpool experienced a partial eclipse rather than totality, but with more than nine-tenths of the Sun obscured, it was still a remarkable sight and a great opportunity to capture some photographs of this rare celestial event.

A rare celestial event, captured in a few photographs from an unforgettable evening sky.

The answer lies largely in geography. The UK sits on the eastern edge of the North Atlantic, directly in the path of prevailing westerly winds that frequently carry moisture-laden air towards the British Isles.

Britain also lies where several major air masses can meet, including Polar Maritime, Tropical Maritime, Arctic Maritime and Continental air. When these contrasting air masses collide, they can produce fronts, low-pressure systems, cloud and, very often, rain.

The Atlantic plays another major role. Moist air travelling across the ocean is pushed upwards when it reaches higher ground, particularly across Wales, north-west England and western Scotland. As the air rises it cools, water vapour condenses and precipitation falls — a process known as orographic rainfall.

The position of the jet stream can also steer Atlantic weather systems towards Britain, sometimes bringing a succession of wet and windy conditions.

It is why such a relatively small group of islands can experience remarkably changeable weather — sunshine, cloud, wind and rain sometimes within the space of a few hours.

Source: @geoglobe_tales on X, shared via @Rainmaker1973 on X

A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) feeding on buddleia, one of the best nectar plants for attracting butterflies into the garden.

Painted Ladies are remarkable long-distance migrants. Unlike many British butterflies, they cannot survive our winters in large numbers, so each year successive generations move northwards from warmer regions of North Africa and continental Europe. In particularly favourable years, millions can arrive in the UK.

Their distinctive wings combine orange, black and cream markings, with white spots near the tips of the forewings. Although they may look delicate, these butterflies are capable of extraordinary journeys spanning thousands of miles across several generations.

Buddleia provides an important late-summer source of nectar, helping Painted Ladies and other pollinators replenish the energy needed for feeding, reproduction and migration.

A beautiful visitor, and one with one of the most impressive migration stories in the insect world.

Blood types and how they work

Video credit: The Brain Maze via @sciencegirl (X)

This dramatic visualisation shows what an asteroid striking the Moon might look like.

With virtually no atmosphere to slow incoming objects, the lunar surface is constantly reshaped by high-speed impacts. Genuine impacts observed from Earth usually appear as brief flashes rather than the large explosion depicted here.

A split-second collision, but a powerful reminder that the Moon is still changing.

Video source: Circulated via @astrooalert (Twitter). Original creator unconfirmed.

The male peacock spider performs one of the most complex courtship displays in the animal kingdom.

Despite measuring only a few millimetres, he puts on an extraordinary performance to attract a female. He raises his brightly coloured abdominal flaps like a fan, waves his elongated legs and moves through a carefully choreographed series of steps. He also produces vibrations that travel through the ground, adding another layer to the display.

Each peacock spider species has its own distinctive colours, movements and courtship signals. The female watches closely and decides whether the male’s performance is convincing enough for her to accept him.

Via @natureunedited on Twitter

Plastic may break down, but it never truly disappears. Over time, it fragments into nanoplastics so small that conventional filtration systems struggle to remove them, allowing the particles to enter waterways, food chains and potentially the human body.

Researchers have now developed tiny magnetic machines called nanobots made from cage-like materials that move through water and attract nanoplastics using electrostatic forces, via the same electrostatic attraction that makes a balloon cling to your hair. The collected particles can then be removed magnetically, offering a promising new approach to tackling plastic pollution.

Video and research source: Science Magazine AAAS, @NewsfromScience

Learn more: scim.ag/4ubx1ec

Standing tall at 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier (Tahoma) is a true Pacific Northwest icon! 🏔️✨ Did you know this stunning giant is actually an active volcano wrapped in 26 glaciers? Right now, the alpine meadows are alive with peak summer wildflowers. Have you explored these trails yet? Let us know below! 👇

Quick Facts

Height: 14,410 feet (4,392 meters)

Location: Cascade Range, about 2 hours from Seattle

Status: Active stratovolcano

Top Highlights

Paradise area: Famous for subalpine wildflower meadows and stunning views.

Skyline Trail: A popular 5.5-mile loop hike with massive mountain backdrops.

Glaciers: Home to 26 major glaciers, the largest dynamic ice system in the lower 48 states.

Photo credit: @kiko_kiko_2000 IG

A beautiful red admiral butterfly taking a well-earned pause on the buddleia in my garden.

With its striking red bands, white markings and dark velvety wings, the red admiral is one of Britain’s most recognisable butterflies. These powerful flyers can migrate over long distances, with many arriving in the UK from continental Europe before breeding during the warmer months.

Buddleia is a valuable source of nectar for butterflies, bees and other pollinators, making it a lively focal point in any wildlife-friendly garden.