Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Find Polaris and Thuban via the Big Dipper in July

Polaris and Thuban are famous for serving - now or thousands of years ago - as Earth's northern pole star. Use the Big Dipper to find them tonight.

Deborah Byrd

July 15, 2026

Hera mission will arrive at asteroid impact site in November

The Hera mission will reach Didymos and Dimorphos in 2026 to reveal what happened after DART crashed into Dimorphos in the first planetary defense test.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

Deborah Byrd

July 14, 2026

Summer Triangle star Deneb is distant and luminous

When you gaze at the bright star Deneb, you’re gazing across thousands of light-years of space at one of the bright stars of the huge Summer Triangle asterism.

Larry Sessions

Deborah Byrd

July 14, 2026

See 3 small constellations near the Summer Triangle

You need a dark country sky to see these 3 small constellations: Vulpecula, Delphinus and Sagitta. They are all near the Summer Triangle.

Deborah Byrd

July 12, 2026

We fly between Jupiter and the sun February 11

Giant Jupiter is closest to Earth for 2027 on February 10. Then Earth will fly between the sun and Jupiter - bringing Jupiter to opposition - on February 11.

Deborah Byrd

July 10, 2026

It’s time for Manhattanhenge, part 2! Here’s how to see it

Each year around May 28 and July 11, New Yorkers watch for Manhattanhenge, an alignment of the sunset along city streets. Here's how to see it.

Deborah Byrd

July 10, 2026

What is a waning crescent moon?

You'll find a waning crescent moon in the east before sunrise. It's waning toward new moon, when the moon will be between the Earth and the sun.

Deborah Byrd

July 10, 2026

Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is overhead now

Corona Borealis, aka the Northern Crown, looks like the letter C. A dark sky is best for seeing this faint semicircle of stars. It's between Arcturus and Vega.

Deborah Byrd

July 9, 2026

Summer Triangle star: Vega is bright and blue-white

The Summer Triangle star pattern hangs in the east on July and August evenings in the Northern Hemisphere. Its brightest star is blue-white Vega.

Larry Sessions

Deborah Byrd

July 8, 2026

Opportunity left for Mars on July 7, 2003

NASA's Opportunity rover launched to Mars on July 7, 2003. The rover surpassed all expectations. It officially ended its mission on February 13, 2019.

Deborah Byrd

July 7, 2026

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.