Astronomy

Towards the end of his life, the cosmologist Stephen Hawking was asked about the odds of finding intelligent alien life in the next two decades. “The probability is low,” he declared in 2016, and took a lengthy pause before adding: “Probably.”This week, other scientists from the University of Cambridge reported tentative evidence for two compounds in the atmosphere of a planet, K2-18b, that sits in the constellation of Leo 124 light years away.On Earth, dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) are hallmarks of life, emanating only from microscopic organisms. And while marine phytoplankton might not rank as particularly intelligent, the claim unleashed a wave of excitement: the answer to the question “Are we alone?” has never seemed closer.“This is the strongest evidence to da...

What is a partial solar eclipse?A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, partially blocking out the sun’s light. By contrast, in a total solar eclipse the moon completely blocks the sun’s light.“These eclipses, whether they be partial or total, it is effectively watching the clockwork of the solar system in action,” said the Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster.Where will I be able to see it?The partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the UK between 10am and noon on Saturday – with viewing chances best in the east where skies should be clearest – and in several other parts of the world, including western Europe, Greenland, north-west Africa and north-east North America.“It won’t be total anywhere but there are parts of Canada where it...