Holly Spanner
Staff Writer, BBC Science Focus
Holly is the Staff Writer for BBC Science Focus and looks after the popular Q&A section. She holds an MSc (distinction) in Geoscience (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, and specialises in astronomy and earth sciences. Before joining Our Media, she worked as a geoenvironmental consultant and engineer, informing on ground risk and remediation in the north of England, while hunting for exoplanets in her spare time. Alongside this, she was regional editor of a popular theatre website for nine years, and has a solid background in curating and developing content for the digital space. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. She has previously worked with the RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot and Brother, as well as on BBC Good Food magazine, Home Style magazine, and Papercraft inspirations magazine. She enjoys photography and has a sustained interest in antiques.
Recent articles by Holly Spanner
New issue | Something is wrong with our model of the Universe
Although our picture of the cosmos is incredibly detailed, as the tools we build to explore the Universe become more and more sensitive, our understanding starts to grow fuzzy. There are crucial pieces missing... and without them, our model of the Universe just doesn't make sense. We take a dive into some of the biggest head-scratchers that are baffling astronomers.
BBC Science Focus Crossword solution #405
Here is the solution to the crossword from issue 405 of BBC Science Focus magazine.
Eta Aquariid meteor shower 2024: How to see stunning ‘Earth-grazing’ meteors tonight
With a new Moon at its peak, conditions for the Eta Aquariids this year are favourable – but there's only a short window to spot shooting stars.
A timeline | What happens to a body after death?
Left unburied and uncovered, here's what happens to a body...
Lyrid meteor shower 2024: How to see a stunning fireball tonight
When the Lyrids will occur, what causes the shower and how many meteors are expected at its peak.
New issue: Reclaim your attention!
Offices, the very place where we’re supposed to get stuff done, seem to be designed to make it impossible to actually get anything done. Open-plan, noisy and full of people. Meanwhile, email, messaging apps, video calls and social media provide endless distractions. It never ends. Sound familiar? We've got some science-backed ways to help keep your focus fixed firmly on the things you need to get done.
BBC Science Focus Crossword solution #404
Here is the solution to the BBC Science Focus Crossword from issue 404 of BBC Science Focus magazine.
11 reasons why today’s total solar eclipse is the cosmic event of the century
A total solar eclipse is one of the most profoundly beautiful events in nature, it's a once-in-a-life-time event you’ll never forget.
Solar eclipse 2024: How to see the biggest cosmic event of the year this April
A total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, and will be visible over a large part of the US – are you in the line of totality?
5 pioneering women in tech you should really know about
Breaking barriers and building futures: these women in STEM have changed the world.
Lunar eclipse 2024 tonight: Here's when to see the full Moon spectacle
If you're lucky, also spot a comet at the same time.
New issue | Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is on the rise. Whether we’re using social media, video calls or a lowly text message to communicate, our interactions have become a lot more complicated since our cave-dwelling days. The pervasiveness of technology and the way we work and live in the modern world means the fear of being socially judged. The constant risk of being rejected is ever-present. Neuroscientist and author Dr Dean Burnett explains exactly what happens when that fear becomes overbearing - and what we can do to alleviate that anxiety.
BBC Science Focus Crossword solution #403
Here is the solution to the BBC Science Focus Crossword from issue 403 of BBC Science Focus magazine.
Comet tonight: How to see the March 2024 celestial event
You should be able to spot the comet through a pair of binoculars. Here's everything you need to know about C/2021 S3 PanSTARRS, including how you (yes, you) can help astronomers.
Snow Moon 2024: How to see the last full Moon of winter
February’s full Snow Moon marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Here's how you can see it.
New issue: The Dark Universe
Normal matter only accounts for one-fifth of all the physical stuff in the Universe. The remaining 80 per cent? That's what we call dark matter. We've never seen it, and it's also totally intangible. So how do we know it's there? And yet, something is providing the gravity needed to prevent galaxies from tearing themselves apart. Do cracks in the Standard Model hint at the arrival of a new physics? In this issue, a leading cosmologist investigates how we can finally make sense of the dark Universe, and why the next few years may see a crucial breakthrough in our understanding of dark matter.
BBC Science Focus Crossword solution #402
Here is the solution to the BBC Science Focus Crossword from issue 402 of BBC Science Focus magazine.
Five ‘near-miss’ asteroids, including one ‘city-killer’, to approach Earth today
An asteroid potentially the length of 30 London buses will whizz past Earth today while you're having your Valentine's brunch. And it’s only one of five asteroids making a close approach today.
New Moon 2024: When is the next new Moon?
New Moons mark the start of each lunar cycle – here’s everything you need to know about the most secretive of Moon phases and the start of the lunar new year.
Billions of cicadas are set to emerge in an ‘insect apocalypse’. Here’s what to expect
Billions, possibly even a trillion cicadas are due to emerge in rarely synchronised double-brood event – here’s what we know, including when and where it will take place.
Why is January's full Moon called the Wolf Moon?
It's also called the Moon After Yule, Ice Moon and Old Moon. Here's why the January full Moon is widely known as the Wolf Moon.
Wolf Moon 2024 tonight: How to see January's full Moon
It’s the first full Moon of the New Year - here's everything you need to know about the Wolf Moon in 2024, including the best time to see it.
Comets 2024: The 6 brightest to see this year
Comets are unpredictable celestial visitors and there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding forecasted magnitude. However, there are six comets in 2024 that we're keeping a close eye on - here's what we know so far.
Meteor shower calendar 2024: When to see a shooting star
Your guide to when you can see shooting stars, including how many you can expect to spot.