Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

What star in the northeast flashes colorfully? It’s Capella!

If you see a bright star in the northeast on October evenings, twinkling with red and green flashes, it's probably Capella. See sky charts here.

1st planet orbiting a sunlike star discovered 30 years ago

On October 6, 1995, astronomers announced the discovery of the 1st known planet orbiting a distant sunlike star. This planet is known as 51 Pegasi b.

The Super Harvest Moon overnight on October 6-7

In 2025, look for the October full moon - the Harvest Moon - on October 6. It's the first of four supermoons in a row.

Proxima Centauri discovered 110 years ago

Astronomers thought Alpha Centauri was the closest star to Earth. Then they found a smaller, fainter star that's even closer. They named it Proxima Centauri.

Gamma Cephei, aka Errai, a future North Star

Gamma Cephei - or Errai - is a binary star system that will one day be Earth’s North Star. It's home to the 1st exoplanet ever discovered.

The Big Dipper: Why can’t you see it now?

The Big Dipper is easy to recognize at most times of the year. But the Big Dipper in autumn rides low in the northern sky in the evening hours.

Rare Chi Cygnids are active! Maybe. Observing info here

The Chi Cygnids are a September meteor shower that shows increased activity every 5 years. And 2025 is one of those years! Observing info here.

Afghanistan earthquake: Impassable roads, inclement weather

The Taliban, which rules war-torn Afghanistan, has asked the world for help with recovery efforts following Sunday's 6.0-magnitude Afghanistan earthquake.

Sudan landslide flattens village, leaves uncertain death toll

There are conflicting reports of the death toll today, following Sunday's Sudan landslide in the remote Marra Mountains. But it appears hundreds are dead.

Rare Black Moon coming August 22-23! Why so special?

We'll have a Black Moon on August 22-23, 2025. A Black Moon is a special kind of new moon. Learn more about Black Moons here.