Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Alpheratz belongs to Andromeda, but is part of the Great Square

Alpheratz appears to our eyes as a single star but it is actually a close binary star system. Many stargazers use it to locate the Andromeda galaxy.

Hera mission: Keeping Earth safe from an asteroid collision

The Hera mission successfully launched on October 7, 2024. Hera will explore Dimorphos, which DART hit as a test of planetary defense in 2022.

Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates

Some October night, check out 3 of the flashiest stars in the night sky ... at least at this time of year. And here's why you see these as a flashing star.

Cassiopeia the Queen is overhead on autumn evenings

Spot the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen somewhere in the northern sky during much of the year, and throughout much of the night. It's high overhead now.

September full moon is a Super Harvest Moon September 17-18

The September full moon - the Super Harvest Moon - happens overnight on September 17-18, 2024. There's a partial lunar eclipse, too.

Voyager 2: Our 1st and last visit to Neptune

On today's date, August 25, 1989, Voyager 2 flew over the north pole of Neptune, making its closest approach to a planet in its outer solar system Grand Tour.

LIVE on Monday: Super Blue Moon

Join EarthSky team members LIVE beginning at 12:15 p.m. (17:15 UTC) on Monday, August 19, 2024 ... to talk about Monday night's Super Blue Moon.

LIVE on Monday: What’s Phil thinking of NOW? GAIA

What's Phil thinking? Join Phil Plait, The Bad Astronomer, beginning at 12:15 p.m. central (17:15 UTC) on Monday, August 12 ... to hear him talk about GAIA.

Mars Curiosity rover’s ‘7 minutes of terror’ 12 years ago

To celebrate the 12-year anniversary of Curiosity rover's arrival on Mars, here’s a video on the final 7 minutes of its chilling descent on August 5-6, 2012.

LIVE ON MONDAY: It’s time for the Perseid meteor shower!

Meteor experts will be answering your questions LIVE in EarthSky's weekly livestream, beginning at 12:15 central (17:15 UTC) on Monday, August 5. Join us!