Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Venus to return as ‘morning star’ late August 2023

Throughout 2023, Venus was in the evening sky. People called it the "evening star." After about August 21, Venus will return as the "morning star."

Perseid meteor photos from around the world, 2023

See these Perseid meteor photos from EarthSky community members from around the world. Thanks to all who contributed these great photos!

Saturn’s opposition in 2023: Fun and easy things to see

In August - the month of Saturn's opposition in 2023 - here are some fun and easy things you can watch for with the eye alone. No telescope needed!
Space

How DART deflected an asteroid (but released a boulder swarm)

Thanks to DART, we minutely deflected the asteroid from its path in the name of planetary defense. But we also released a boulder swarm.

A red rainbow happens when the sun is low

A red rainbow has a surreal beauty, but its explanation is fairly ordinary. It's created via the same physics that makes a sunset or sunrise looks red.

Geoengineering accidentally for decades? Looks like it

Have we been geoengineering accidentally for decades? Hank Green thinks so. Now he points to sulfur dioxide as a possible road to (temporary) cooling.

Iridescent contrails? Rainbow contrails? Something else?

They look like iridescent contrails. But, are they? We asked Les Cowley, an atmospheric optics expert, who gave a different opinion.

Is an Atlantic Ocean current collapse imminent?

Climate is complicated. And today scientists are speaking of an Atlantic Ocean current collapse that could dramatically change Earth's weather.

What are lightning sprites? How to photograph them

Lightning sprites - aka red sprites - are electrical discharges that happen above thunderstorms. Learn how to see and photograph them here.

Iridescent clouds have rainbow colors

Clouds with rainbow colors are called iridescent clouds. The names comes from Iris, the Greek personification of the rainbow. Photos here.