Before the Enlightenment, clouds were described phenomenologically. The vacuum pump’s invention enabled the formation of mist droplets by experiment, prompting questions about why clouds float. Around 1800, early proposals for cloud classification emerged. However, it wasn’t until manned balloon ascents provided detailed atmospheric data that the physical basis of cloud formation became clear, even though accurately depicting clouds in atlases remained challenging for some decades.

Point discharge is an electrical process which occurs naturally in Earth's atmosphere. Like lightning, it has been observed both directly and indirectly for centuries. Several of the milestone investigations in atmospheric electricity have arisen through measuring point discharge. This work gives a history of various investigations involving the phenomenon and explains its central role in developments in atmospheric electricity.

This paper reports a few anecdotes from the life of Paul J. Crutzen that were contributed by friends and colleagues. Taken together, these anecdotes should shed some light on the person that Paul was, as this is perhaps sometimes obscured when focusing solely on his many scientific achievements.

The meteorite "Veramin" fell in Persia ca. 1880. In the records, there are ambiguities about the event and the available sources were scrutinized in this review. The current official name, coined by meteoricist A. Brezina, is not supported by Iranian sources. A key document is a rediscovered label with the main mass of the meteorite. The indicated place of the event, probably occurring in February–April 1880, is Booghin of in the historical Zarand district, 100 km NW from Veramin (Varamin).

This study reveals that a vast ancient lake once covered parts of central Iran, influencing regional culture and settlement. By analyzing old texts, maps, and environmental data, the research reconstructs the lake's size, timeline, and role in history. The findings suggest the lake lasted thousands of years before drying up due to climate shifts, offering new insights into how landscapes shaped early civilizations.

The Lizard District of southern Cornwall is composed of a slab of ancient ocean crust containing rock types otherwise unknown in England. As such, the region has been of great interest to geologists for over two-hundred years. A review of scientific advances through the 19th century highlights the transition from generally field-based to detailed petrographic analyses.

In October 1929, measurements of the atmospheric potential gradient began to be routinely recorded at the Magnetic Observatory in Świder. There was a disruption and loss of the results of these measurements during World War II but the experience shaped the future of the observatory.

Three historic tide gauge records from Svalbard were converted from 19^th century tabulations into computer files. They are good quality and can be used in modern tidal analysis. We confirmed previous findings on tidal constants and showed how little non-tidal variability in sea level there was at these times. One gauge used had an unusual design but it worked well and so deserves to be known. Biographical information is given on the people who acquired these data.

This study examines Cevat Eyüp Taşman, Türkiye's pioneering petroleum geologist. Archival research reveals his multifaceted role: architect of systematic oil exploration, leader of the first major discovery, contributor to modern petroleum laws, and public educator.

Obituary: Bodo Reinisch (1936-2025)