Recently, while visiting my family near Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, we decided to do a bit of sightseeing in the local area. And where better to go than the Rock of Cashel, former home of the Kings of Munster. It’s a spectacular ruin with wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. Now, it has to be…

Fantastic news. Just watched live the feed from NASA TV as the OSIRIS-REx sample capsule descended safely through the atmosphere and landed safely in the Utah desert. A brilliant mission has delivered its very precious samples from Asteroid Bennu. Congratulations to all the team members involved.

Less than 30 minutes to go before the OSIRIS-REx sample lands in the Utah desert. I am excited, but also a little bit nervous. Well, it is a really big moment. Watching first the BBC coverage and now NASA TV. Good luck to everyone involved.

The fall and recovery of the Winchcombe meteorite is a brilliant success for UK Science. Here are some links for more details: BBC News Open University News Photo above is me with the second sample of the Winchcombe meteorite – found in Woodmancote