Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Will a nearby supernova harm life on Earth in 2012? Nah.

A supernova in our galaxy would have to be within 50 light-years to harm life on Earth. Likelihood that will happen? Zero, astronomers say.

Blizzard expected for central US, in satellite photos

Three more amazing pictures taken from space on December 19, 2011, showing severe weather - a blizzard - poised to strike the central US.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Learning how to think is empowerment

Neil deGrasse Tyson told EarthSky, "It's essential that as many Americans grow up to be scientifically literate as possible."

2011 hurricane season in 4.5 minutes

Watch the entire 2011 hurricane season in 4.5 minutes on this NOAA video. The year 2011 had more named storms than expected.

Saturn’s moon Rhea and the shadow of Saturn’s rings

In this beautiful image, Saturn itself is in the background. The moon Rhea is in silhouette. The dark lines are the shadow of Saturn's rings.

December 4 is Mountain Day 2011

Going on simultaneously with COP 17, Mountain Day calls attention to climate change impacts on mountain people in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan high mountain region.

Martian avalanches may be caused by meteors

Orbiting spacecraft have now seen avalanches of dust on the surface of the planet Mars. Martian avalanches and quakes might be caused by meteor airbursts.

Martian gullies not all formed by flowing water

Some Martian gullies at the poles might have formed when a seasonal accumulation of carbon dioxide frost sublimed - turned directly from a solid to a gas.

Whale Song Project needs your help

In the Whale Song Project, you can help figure out which groups of whales have different dialects. Maybe even help figure out what some whale songs mean.

Deadly man-made strain of bird flu virus: Should they publish?

A science team in the Netherlands used genetic modification to create a deadly man-made strain of bird flu. Now they want to publish. But should they?