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BBC News - Science & Environment

Where to see the biggest solar eclipse since 1999

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:09:42 GMT

The UK's biggest solar eclipse since 1999 arrives on 12 August. Here's where to see it safely.

The hidden cost of the night shift and how to sleep it off

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:01:55 GMT

More than three million people in the UK work night shifts, which can greatly impact their health. What can be done to help them?

Italy putting nearly all major cities on highest heat alert

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:51:46 GMT

Some 19 major Italian cities - including Rome, Milan and Naples - are already on red alert, and by Monday all but two will be.

Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:11:29 GMT

The structure consisted of two posts that lined up with the solstices 5,000 years ago.

Drought declared across whole of Wales as conditions 'deteriorate'

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:15:09 GMT

Wales is on course for its driest July on record in almost 190 years.

Pine marten babies born on Exmoor for first time in 100 years

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:04:09 GMT

Nine females and 10 males were introduced to the area by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project last year.

Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:55:24 GMT

Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.

Buck Moon lights up Devon and Cornwall skies

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:22:11 GMT

The July full moon is expected to peak at 15:36 BST on Wednesday.

The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:02:53 GMT

As the astronauts pass behind the Moon they will experience a moment of silence and solitude as communication with the Earth is blocked.

Hosepipe bans in force as drought declared - is your area affected?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:50:42 GMT

More than 20 million households have been placed under hosepipe bans due to higher demand and low rainfall.

Why cheap power could matter more than clean power in the push for net zero

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:20:22 GMT

The question of how important making our electricity clean is to going green is coming under increasing scrutiny

Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:55:24 GMT

Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia are also grappling with the effects of a series of prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall.

Hedgehog road deaths 'devastating' populations

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:11:46 GMT

A study finds road traffic kills have an exaggerated impact on the viability of small groups.

From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa's historic mission to the Moon

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:17:07 GMT

BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle reflects on how it felt to watch history being made.

Dashcam captures tornado toppling power lines onto car

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:44:23 GMT

Video obtained by the BBC provides a firsthand look at the powerful storm system that ripped through parts of eastern Wisconsin on 27 July.

First dinosaur bone from Antarctica found in a drawer

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:10:46 GMT

The fossil, collected in Antarctica in 1985, is part of the tail of a beast called a Titanosaur.

After record heat, could the Atlantic make Britain's weather even more extreme?

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:08:13 GMT

As temperatures rise, scientists are investigating whether a changing Atlantic could bring more volatile weather to the UK

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

What’s the point of having a treaty banning nukes in space if we can’t spot them?

Scientist's lifelong obsession with mystery of elusive 'pink zebra' seaweed

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:43:10 GMT

An ancient algae first spotted four decades ago will now join the collection of the Natural History Museum.

Drought declared across whole of Wales as conditions 'deteriorate'

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:15:09 GMT

Wales is on course for its driest July on record in almost 190 years.

Mountaineer who began fossil hunting after near-death experience discovers rare 'sea dragon'

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:17:18 GMT

Matthew Myerscough swapped mountains for fossil-laden beaches after becoming trapped in snow on Yr Wyddfa.

'Upsetting' that camp fire likely led to rare habitat blaze

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:04:39 GMT

The area's National Trust countryside manager says nesting birds, reptiles, small mammals and amphibians will have died.

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

What if the Goldilocks zone is for idiots?

Scientist's lifelong obsession with mystery of elusive 'pink zebra' seaweed

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:43:10 GMT

An ancient algae first spotted four decades ago will now join the collection of the Natural History Museum.

How the UK's extreme heat is shifting the conversation about air-con

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:33:01 GMT

Should we embrace air conditioning despite its costs and consequences?

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Researchers say they have created a synthetic cell-like system that can grow and divide.

Bagpipes - the first defence against alien invaders?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:15:52 GMT

Oxfordshire piper's tunes could soon make it to the moon under the plans of an space entrepreneur.

Where to see the biggest solar eclipse since 1999

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:09:42 GMT

The UK's biggest solar eclipse since 1999 arrives on 12 August. Here's where to see it safely.

What is Jodrell Bank Observatory and what does it do?

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:45:09 GMT

When Jodrell Bank Observatory was built, the site was seen as gamechanger for radio astronomy.

Free diver, 21, wants to 'give back' to the ocean that has helped him

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:50:03 GMT

Iesetyn Morgan regularly free dives and shares the footage of marine life on social media.

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Will the US army benefit from testing its male soldiers for testosterone levels?

Fossil identified as first dinosaur ever found in Antarctica

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:58:10 GMT

Argentinian geologist Eduardo Olivero became the first scientist to find the remains of a dinosaur in Antarctica in 1986.

Should you take the plunge? How to tell how clean the sea is

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:07:05 GMT

From beach ratings to apps and flags, we take a look at how swimmers can check water quality.

Drought conditions may worsen before improving as little rain in sight

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:28:46 GMT

Conditions in the most parched areas of the United Kingdom could worsen before they improve, according to the latest forecasts.

India wants to join the strawberry superpowers

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:04:09 GMT

Indian strawberry farmers rely on varieties imported from the US and Europe, but that could change.

Jodrell Bank cuts 'a disappointing gamble'

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:45:25 GMT

Dr George Dransfield says the decision to cut funding is "short-sighted".

Higgs boson breakthrough was UK triumph, but British physics faces 'catastrophic' cuts

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:40:16 GMT

Britain is preparing to cancel its contribution to one of the Large Hadron Collider's next major upgrades.

Cyanide in tomato pesticide killed 15 elephants, Kenyan officials suspect

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:14:00 GMT

Foul play is ruled out in the record number of elephant deaths for decades in this area of southern Kenya.

More than half of England in drought, Environment Agency declares

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:37:30 GMT

The drought declarations follow an exceptionally hot and dry period, which has hit rivers, crops and nature.

Hosepipe bans in force as drought declared - is your area affected?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:50:42 GMT

More than 20 million households have been placed under hosepipe bans due to higher demand and low rainfall.

Italy putting nearly all major cities on highest heat alert

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:51:46 GMT

Some 19 major Italian cities - including Rome, Milan and Naples - are already on red alert, and by Monday all but two will be.

England and Wales on course for driest July on record

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:37:17 GMT

Met Office records indicate England and Wales are likely to have had their driest July since records began 190 years ago.