Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Does dark matter cause mass extinctions?

As we journey around the galaxy, our solar system might regularly interact with dark matter, which might dislodge Oort cloud comets and boost heat in Earth's core.

Barnard’s Loop and more in Orion

Orion the Hunter of one of the brightest and easiest-to-find constellations. Orion also contains a vast region of bright and dark clouds, hidden to the eye.

More favorite photos of February 20-21 planets and moon

Wonderful photos of Venus and Mars, and the waxing moon, after sunset on February 20-21, 2015! Thanks to all who posted at EarthSky Facebook or submitted to EarthSky.org.

Roaming star system a near miss!

Scholz's star passed only 0.8 light-years from our sun, only 70,000 years ago. It came closer than any other known star, sweeping through the Oort comet cloud.

Filmmakers look to world’s loneliest whale

The whale sings in a sound frequency that is so unusual, no other whales will respond. Filmmakers Josh Zeman and Adrian Grenier want to find it, and make a film about it.

Mystery plumes on Mars puzzle scientists

Amateur astronomers spotted them first, but they show up in Hubble images, too. Astronomers are scratching their heads, wondering these mystery plumes are.

Russian supply ship launched to ISS today

It's a fast-rendezvous, six-hour launch-to-dock mission to the International Space Station. Docking will occur later today. Online viewing details here.

Selfie with Venus and Mars

The planets Venus and Mars are about to be amazing in the western sky after sunset. Watch for them. Cool selfie from Jean-Baptiste Feldmann in France!

100 to compete for one-way Mars trip

The private venture Mars One has announced its selection of 50 men and 50 women who will compete via reality TV for a one-way Mars trip, as early as 2024.

Wind sculpted this frozen sand in Michigan

It was cold in the upper U.S this weekend, when Joshua Nowicki noticed and captured these cool frozen sand formations.