The waning moon meets Zubenelgenubi, a bright star in the contellation Libra the Scales, on the morning of December 2, 2021. A pretty scene before sunup!

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

November 30, 2021

Surtsey, volcanic island, emerged in 1963

On November 14, 1963, volcanic island Surtsey rose from the sea. Scientists have since studied the natural colonization of plants and animals on it.

Deborah Byrd

Shireen Gonzaga

November 14, 2021

Permafrost thaw in the Arctic, in the next 30 years

Permafrost thaw in the Arctic is as one of the most immediate problems of global warming. A new assessment of communities at risk.

Deborah Byrd

November 10, 2021

Moon, Saturn, Jupiter November 9, 10 and 11

Moon, Saturn, Jupiter! The waxing crescent moon will sweep past the planets on November 9, 10 and 11, 2021. Watch for Venus, too, to the west.

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

November 9, 2021

Moon and Venus November 6, 7 and 8

The moon and Venus are near one another in the sky around November 6, 7 and 8, 2021. Look west after sunset for the waxing crescent near the brightest planet.

Deborah Byrd

November 6, 2021

Moon and Mercury November 1, 2 and 3 before sunup

The moon and Mercury will appear near one another on the mornings of November 1, 2 and 3, 2021. Look in the sunrise direction, as dawn is breaking.

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

October 30, 2021

X-flare yesterday, aurora alert this weekend

The biggest solar flares are known as X-flares. Check out this image of an X-flare on the sun on October 28, 2021. It prompted an aurora alert.

Deborah Byrd

October 29, 2021

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.