Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Orionid meteor shower 2026: All you need to know

The Orionid meteor shower is here! Find out where and when to look up with our charts and viewing tips.

See brightest star, Sirius, in your morning sky

Out late at night or before dawn? Look for the sky's brightest star, Sirius, a brilliant beauty. You'll know it's Sirius if you see Orion's Belt pointing to it.

Cassiopeia the Queen is overhead on autumn evenings

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

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

If you're in Earth's Northern Hemisphere and see a bright star twinkling with red, green and blue flashes low in the northeast on October evenings, it's probably Capella. See charts here!

Perseus the Hero and a Demon Star

The star name Algol comes from the Arabic for "head of the demon." Come to know this star, and point it out to your friends this Halloween.

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our sun

Proxima Centauri is the nearest star to our sun at 4.22 light-years away. It's home to at least 3 planets and has massive solar flares.

NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars sets off-world driving record

The Mars Perseverance rover has set a new distance record on Mars. It has driven 28.10 miles (45.22 km) across the surface of the red planet.

Flashing star in autumn? Here are 3 candidates

Flashing star in October? Discover 3 bright stars that shimmer in red, green and other colors, and find out why they put on this dazzling show.

Stargazing tips! 10 great tips for beginning astronomers

If you're new to observing the night sky, check out our top 10 stargazing tips for beginners. We'll help you explore and expand your love for astronomy.

Mars calendar year begins September 30: Happy New Year, Mars!

Mars calendar year 39 begins on September 30, 2026. If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate, here’s to a Happy New Year ... on Mars.