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Helio and You: August 2026

Every so often, people on Earth get the chance to experience a total solar eclipse. But did you know that eclipses can happen on other worlds, too? In this in-depth article, you can find out all about eclipses on Earth and elsewhere. The post Helio and You: August 2026 appeared first on NASA Science .

Total solar eclipses are a rare occurrence that brings Earth's inhabitants a unique celestial spectacle. Upcoming events such as the eclipses that crossed North America in 2017 and 2024, as well as the one that passed over Spain and other regions in August 2026, demonstrate the regularity of these phenomena. However, Earth is not the only celestial body to experience such events.

Any planet or moon that aligns itself between a star and an observer can cast a shadow and eclipse a portion of the star's light. This phenomenon occurs when a moon or planet's size, shape, and distance from the star align in the perfect ratio, resulting in a total solar eclipse.

Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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Scientists turn seawater into fresh water without harmful brine

Scientists have developed a solar-powered desalination system that turns seawater into fresh water while removing nearly all of the leftover salt as a solid instead of producing harmful brine.

  • Scientists develop solar-powered desalination system to convert seawater to fresh water.
  • System uses black metal panels treated with femtosecond lasers for superwicking properties.
  • Panels separate salts and minerals, preventing buildup while maintaining desalination efficiency.

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