https://hgss.copernicus.org/articles/ Combined list of the recent articles of the journal History of Geo- and Space Sciences and the recent discussion forum History of Geo- and Space Sciences Discussions en https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-65-2026 History of the Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie and its scientific projects (1958–2004) Kristian Schlegel Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 65–82, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-65-2026, 2026 A detailed history of the Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie (MPAe), including its research and deleopment. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-12 The Remarkable Scientist and Writer Ukichiro Nakaya and his "Black Moon" and "White Moon" Worlds Kevin Hamilton and Wataru Ohfuchi Hist. Geo Space. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-12,2026 Preprint under review for HGSS (discussion: open, 1 comment) Ukichiro Nakaya (1900–1962) was a Japanese scientist who created the first artificial snowflake in 1936 and figured out how temperature and humidity affect snow crystal shapes — a result smmarized in the "Nakaya diagram." He studied ice in Greenland, wrote popular science essays for everyday readers (earning him the nickname "Japan's Carl Sagan"), and was a pioneer in making educational films. This article, written for his 125th birthday, covers his life, his science and his writing. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-9 George Perkins Merrill's Analyses of Chondrules and Chondritic Meteorites Carl N. Drummond Hist. Geo Space. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-9,2026 Preprint under review for HGSS (discussion: open, 1 comment) George Perkins Merrill, a Smithsonian scientist in the early 1900s, made discoveries about meteorites that still shape our understanding of the solar system's birth. Using microscopes to examine tiny spherical grains called chondrules, the building blocks of stony meteorites, he concluded they formed through multiple processes.. He also showed that meteorites record a history of alteration by heat and pressure over time. His laid groundwork for meteorite research for over a century. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-61-2026 Obituary: Bodo Reinisch (1936–2025) Dieter Bilitza Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 61–63, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-61-2026, 2026 Obituary: Bodo Reinisch (1936-2025) Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-2 Classical Antiquity Origin of Spatial Data Underlying Portolan Charts: How Pietro Vesconte Might Have Assembled the Carta Riccardiana Utilising Maps in Marinus of Tyre’s projection Tome Marelić Hist. Geo Space. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-2,2026 Revised manuscript accepted for HGSS (discussion: closed, 5 comments) This manuscript provides the first-ever cartometric study of portolan chart geometry that firmly corroborates the classical antiquity origin of their spatial data. The conclusions are not solely based on the numerical approach, yet they are also substantially supported by the available historical records. Concurrently, it provides a detailed overview of the history of cartometric studies of portolan charts, especially in terms of explaining the benefits and constraints of their methodology. Mon, 11 May 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-37-2026 A 300-year history of understanding and classifying clouds, from a German language perspective Peter Winkler Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 37–59, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-37-2026, 2026 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. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:30:46 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-6 The Fate of Y.S. Ma, China's First Female Geologist Jian Zhao Yin Hist. Geo Space. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-6,2026 Preprint under review for HGSS (discussion: final response, 5 comments) In 1944, Ms. Y.S. Ma, the only female geologist in China at the time was killed at the age of 25. This year marks the 82nd anniversary of her tragic death. This article is dedicated to the young scholar who died before achieving her goal, leaving future generations deeply saddened. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-25-2026 The founding actor of Türkiye's petroleum geology: Cevat Eyüp Taşman and his legacy in the national energy policies Oğuz Mülayim Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-25-2026, 2026 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. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-13-2026 The first decade (1929–1939) of atmospheric electricity observations at Świder Geophysical Observatory Anna Odzimek Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 13–24, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-13-2026, 2026 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. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-3 Lofty aspirations born of sacrifice – In remembrance of Y. S. Ma, China's first female geologist, and her two colleagues who were murdered at the same time Jian Zhao Yin Hist. Geo Space. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2026-3,2026 Preprint withdrawn (discussion: closed, 11 comments) As China's first scientific institution, Geological Survey of China created many firsts in Chinese geological education, research, and exploration. Unfortunately, following the murder of the geologist Chao by bandits in Yunnan in 1929, in 1944, three more geologists were killed in Guizhou, bordering Yunnan. Among the three were Ms. Ma, the only female geologist in China at the time, and Mr. Hsu and Chen. They were killed on the same day, at the ages of 25, 36, and 28 respectively. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-1-2026 Three historic tide gauge records from Svalbard Philip L. Woodworth and Thorkild Aarup Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 17, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-17-1-2026, 2026 Three historic tide gauge records from Svalbard were converted from 19th 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. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-65-2025 Geological investigations of the Lizard District, Cornwall, England: 1818–1883 Carl N. Drummond Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 65–79, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-65-2025, 2025 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. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-51-2025 The role of point discharge in the historical development of atmospheric electricity Blair P. S. McGinness, R. Giles Harrison, Karen L. Aplin, and Martin W. Airey Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 51–63, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-51-2025, 2025 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. Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-41-2025 Historical background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey Hadi Jarahi and Donya Namdar Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 41–49, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-41-2025, 2025 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. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-31-2025 Paul J. Crutzen – interactions with friends and colleagues Rolf Müller, Lennart Bengtsson, John Birks, John Burrows, Ruprecht Jaenicke, and Richard S. Stolarski Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 31–40, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-31-2025, 2025 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. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:30:47 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-23-2025 Revisiting the fall of the Veramin meteorite Dan Holtstam and Ataollah Hassani Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 23–29, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-23-2025, 2025 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). Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:30:47 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-13-2025 Aurora records in the Spanish newspaper Extremadura for the period 1923–2017 Constantino Sánchez Romero, Lucía Díaz-Condiño, Irene Tovar Hernández, Alejandro Jesús Pérez Aparicio, Víctor Manuel Sánchez Carrasco, María Cruz Gallego Herrezuelo, and José Manuel Vaquero Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 13–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-13-2025, 2025 This article collects and analyzes reports of auroras published in the Extremadura newspaper from 1923 to 2017. We identified 31 news items describing these events, including major auroras in 1926, 1938, 1957, and 1991. This research highlights the value of newspapers in reconstructing past solar activity. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:30:47 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-1-2025 Contribution to the knowledge of early geotechnics during the 20th century: Laurits Bjerrum Gonzalo Guillán-Llorente, Belén Muñoz-Medina, Antonio Lara-Galera, and Rubén Galindo-Aires Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 16, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-16-1-2025, 2025 Karl Terzaghi reached out to Laurits Bjerrum in 1954, impressed by his paper on Norwegian quick clays' stability. At 36, Bjerrum, already a PhD and NGI director, emphasised practical research integration, influenced by centres like Imperial College London. He advocated for soil mechanics in civil engineering education and founded its chair in 1960. Bjerrum left a lasting legacy, earning international acclaim for his NGI work and collaborations with geotechnicians like Terzaghi and Casagrande. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-81-2024 Historical evolution of the geomagnetic declination at the Royal Observatory of Madrid Jose Manuel Tordesillas, Francisco Javier Pavón-Carrasco, Alberto Nuñez, and Ana Belén Anquela Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 15, 81–94, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-81-2024, 2024 In December 2021, the agonic line crossed the Royal Observatory of Madrid on its westward drift. The previous crossing by the agonic line, drifting eastward, is not accurately dated because declination measurements of that time are scarce. After collecting the data obtained in the Iberian Peninsula over the last 500 years and reducing them to ROM coordinates, a geomagnetic declination curve was generated. As a result, the previous cross ing been the agonic line was dated around the year 1652. Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:30:47 +0100 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-71-2024 Lightning and thunder explanations in encyclopedias – from ancient Greece to Wikipedia Kristian Schlegel Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 15, 71–80, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-71-2024, 2024 The explanation of thunder and lightning in encyclopedias from ancient times to Wikipedia is described and discussed. Fri, 25 Oct 2024 21:30:47 +0200