Easter Island

On October 2, 2024, an annular solar eclipse passed over Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. Unlike a total eclipse, the Moon sat near apogee, its farthest point from Earth, so it appeared smaller than the solar disk and left a glowing ring of sunlight visible above the remote island, drawing attention from astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.

An amateur weather station at Marybank on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides is reporting a temperature of 7.3°C, humidity of 81% and a light easterly-northeasterly wind of 4 km/h. The reading gives a snapshot of typically mild, damp island weather, drawing modest attention from weather watchers online.

An amateur weather station in Marybank on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides is reporting conditions of 8.7°C, 92% humidity and an easterly-northeasterly wind of 5 km/h. The readings offer a snapshot of the mild, damp weather typical of the Scottish islands and are being shared publicly for local weather watchers.

An easterly wind (Ostwind) is causing low water levels in the North Sea during the German autumn school holidays, leading to ferry cancellations and restricted services to islands such as those in East Frisia. Replacement transport connections have been set up for stranded travellers. German media report the disruption is a particular headache as the holidays are a peak season for island trips.

A new genetic study concludes that the first Hawaiians arrived around 1200 A.D. from Easter Island, challenging the long-held scholarly view that they came centuries earlier from the Marquesas and Tahiti. The finding has sparked debate among researchers, with some questioning how the DNA evidence fits with traditional Polynesian migration history and established archaeological scholarship.