The star at the centre of our Solar System
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, a rocky 'super-Earth' 48 light-years away that orbits in its star's habitable zone. The finding has confirmed an atmosphere around a habitable-zone rocky exoplanet for the first time and has been published in Science; teams used ground-based infrared spectroscopy and modelling.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Senate consideration is uncertain and health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep, while some communities push for permanent standard time. The decision hinges on balancing public health, regional impacts, and the logistics of time-zone alignment.
Bird strikes have contributed to a high-profile helicopter crash in New York and a separate investigation into a long-dunken 1952 disaster. Authorities say birds struck helicopters during low-altitude flights, prompting safety reviews and potential flight-restrictions. Investigations have highlighted the risk to urban sightseeing and the need for clearer safety procedures.
Durham researchers using supercomputer simulations show that a head‑on collision with Gaia Sausage likely caused a dramatic reorientation of the Milky Way’s disc, a process scientists describe as a “disc flip.” The event would have reshaped the galaxy’s spokes, bulge and halo, potentially altering the Solar System’s ancient path.
Consumer confidence has improved in July as heatwaves, football success, and the new prime minister boosted mood. However, overall sentiment remains negative, with the GfK index at -17, and gains rely on government delivery to tackle cost‑of‑living pressures.