This is my account of the eclipse of 12th August, 2026, whose path of totality included Greenland, Iceland, Northern Portugal, and parts of Spain. Our group, which included two other astronomers, observed the eclipse from Canalejas de Peñafiel (province of Valladolid) in Spain. Before we proceed to the images themselves, below I’ve written a basic description about the sun’s composition for the uninitiated, as I’ll be mentioning these terms as we go along.…
On the 24th of July, 2026, Xjenza Malta hosted an event organised in collaboration with the Institute of Space Sciences to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of mathematician and astronomer Giusppe Piazzi. During this event I gave a short talk based on a small section from an upcoming book.
I was recently invited on the TV programme Rasimbras on TVM for a chat about our recent work on the edge of the Milky Way’s star-forming disc, led by our past student Karl Fiteni. The interview is available below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeK9ovLSHW4
The Edge of the Milky Way’s Star-Forming Disc RevealedPress Release: 21st April, 2026 How far the Milky Way’s disc extends has long been difficult to define — it doesn’t end sharply, but fades away gradually at its outer edges. Now, for the first time, an international team of astronomers has identified the edge of the Milky Way’s star-forming disc by studying the ages of stars, revealing that the bulk of our Galaxy’s…
Astronomy is the subject of this episode of Times Talk – Times of Malta’s series of podcasts hosted by journalist Mark Laurence Zammit. In a wide-ranging chat, we discussed various topics in astronomy, also touching upon the intersection between science and philosophy. The full interview is available below. An article is available here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qla0M6oiiJc
Following the interview on light pollution two days prior, Times of Malta chose to publish an editorial on the subject, recognising the severity of the problem and the urgency required to tackle it. You may view the editorial by clicking here.
Times of Malta held a video interview with me on light pollution. You may view the full interview below and read the article by clicking here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYEdBeo0fjM
I am grateful to DarkSky International for their recognition of my efforts, and to all those of good will who, for many years, have been striving to conserve the night. Fighting this battle can sometimes feel like going up a wall. There are many incredible people combating light pollution in Europe; to have been selected for this award fills me with enthusiasm to continue trying my very best. I often…
Following the lecture in January, Rotary Club Valletta invited me again in April to continue a discussion of astronomical topics. Far nicer weather this time round meant that an even larger group showed up to learn and ask some great questions about the Universe. (Photos: Leanne Ellul)
