Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

IAU approves 86 more star names

"These professional astronomers are claiming the exclusive right to give 'approved' names to the stars. But the stars - and the sky - belong to all of us."

Sirius in many colors

When you see the sky's brightest star - Sirius - low in the sky, you're seeing it shine through an extra thickness of Earth's atmosphere. At such times, its colorful flashing might surprise you.

A grand year for the Geminids

The 2017 Geminid meteor shower was thought to have a better-than-average chance of producing a rich display, since the Geminids' parent body - a strange rock-comet called 3200 Phaethon - is nearby. And so it was! Photos here.

Astronomers chart galaxy orbits in our Local Supercluster

"For the first time, we are not only visualizing the detailed structure of our Local Supercluster of galaxies, but we are also seeing how the structure developed over the history of the universe."

Long-lasting moon halo

Halos around the sun or moon are caused by ice crystals, like those in high cirrus clouds. Sometimes you can't see clouds, but - in these photos - you can.

10 tips for watching the Geminids

Tip: On December 14, 2017, the peak morning of the shower, the waning crescent moon will be sweeping past the bright planet Jupiter.

California in flames

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the 2017 California wildfire season is the worst on record.

All the illions from Cosmos, in order

Why? Because we love Carl Sagan.

Asperitas clouds over Tenerife

Meet Earth's newest named cloud, the asperitas cloud, 1st new addition to the International Cloud Atlas in over half a century.

Christmas lights and the king tide

Mimi Ditchie captured this photo at low tide on Monday - the day of the king tide at Pismo Beach, California - following Sunday's supermoon.