Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Dino-killing asteroid caused global tsunami

The dino-killing asteroid of 66 million years ago created a global tsunami, with some 30,000 times the energy of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Sputnik launched 65 years ago

The Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I satellite into Earth orbit on October 4, 1957. Sputnik’s unassuming beep ushered in the Space Age 65 years ago.

Hurricane Ian devastates Florida’s Gulf Coast

Hurricane Ian made landfall at Coya Costa, Florida, on the afternoon of September 28, 2022. Learn more about the storm, its intensity, and its destruction.

Earth in the cosmic shooting gallery

Earth in the cosmic shooting gallery: A dramatic animation showing some of the many thousands of asteroids orbiting the sun near Earth.

Maarten Schmidt, father of quasars, dies at 92

Maarten Schmidt died on September 17, 2022, at age 92. He unraveled the mystery of quasars and changed the way scientists view the universe.

Webb’s 1st Mars images: A heat map and more

Webb's 1st Mars images and spectra were released on September 19, 2022 ... and wow! It's like seeing a whole new Mars.

Voyager 1: 1st portrait of Earth and moon 45 years ago today

On September 18, 1977, as it headed toward the outer solar system, Voyager 1 looked back and acquired a stunning image of our Earth and moon.

Media we love: The Age of Miracles

Media we love! Deborah Byrd recommends The Age of Miracles, apocalyptic fiction set against the background of an unexplained natural slowing in Earth's spin.

Moon near Mars September 16 and 17 mornings

Watch for the moon near Mars, midnight to dawn, on the mornings of September 16 and 17, 2022. Then keep watching! Mars is getting brighter!

Spectacular fireball over UK last night, September 14

Spectacular fireball over UK on the night of September 14, 2022. Details in this post, plus how to report it, if you saw it.