Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Favorite photos: Ring of fire eclipse

The annular - or ring of fire - eclipse was visible from Earth's Southern Hemisphere. Photos here!

This date in science: Supernova 1987A

Supernova 1987A first appeared in earthly skies 30 years ago today. It was the closest observed supernova since 1604.

Ice circles in Syracuse, New York

You need slow-moving currents, moving in circular eddies, to form ice circles, and you need just the right air and water temperature. So they're rare!

What would life be like near TRAPPIST-1?

The newly discovered exoplanets orbiting this nearby star are likely to be bathed in high-energy ultraviolet radiation. What would life be like there? An expert explains.

Scientists spy 8th continent, Zealandia

A long-lost land mass is submerged in the depths of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Should it be recognized as a full-fledged continent?

Brightest, farthest pulsar found!

In one second, this distant pulsar – the spinning remains of a once-massive star – emits the same amount of energy as that released by our sun in 3.5 years.

Chicago from St. Joseph, Michigan

The little building in the center of the sunset is in Chicago, as seen from across Lake Michigan, 60 miles away.

Help astronomers look for Planet 9

There might be an unknown 9th planet that orbits far from Earth, on the outer fringes of our solar system. You can help astronomers find it, if it exists!

Venus green flash

To see a green flash of Venus, you need a very clear day with no haze or cloud low in the sky, a distant horizon (preferably a sea horizon) and a telescope! Photo by Colin Legg.

Slooh astronomers catch comet breakup

Will comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann survive its March 16 sweep near the sun, or disintegrate into a trail of cosmic dust?