Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Our Milky Way’s central black hole flashes unpredictably

Our Milky Way's central black hole flares unpredictably, both day to day and also over the long term. Astronomers want to know why.

Deborah Byrd

January 13, 2022

Moon and bright stars on January 12, 13 and 14

Look for the moon and bright stars on the evenings of January 12 to 14. You'll see the Pleiades and Aldebaran close by the waxing moon.

Deborah Byrd

January 12, 2022

After the Boulder fire, a corona around the sun

Corona around the sun, caused by thin clouds in front of the sun, or perhaps pollen, after the devastating Marshall Fire in Boulder County, early January 2022.

Deborah Byrd

January 12, 2022

Crescent moon, crescent Venus

As Venus nears its passage between the Earth and sun on January 8-9, it appears in our sky as a very thin crescent. Photos and insights here.

Deborah Byrd

January 5, 2022

Moon and 4 planets after sunset January 3 to 5

See the moon and four planets after sunset January 3 to 5, 2022. It'll be tough to spot Venus and Mercury. Jupiter and Saturn will be much easier.

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

January 2, 2022

Watch for Mercury, too, as 2021 ends

Watch for Mercury, the sun's innermost planet, as 2021 ends. Bright Venus will be falling into the sunset glare. Mercury will be nearby.

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

December 28, 2021

Moon, Mars and Antares as 2021 ends

Moon, Mars and Antares: Start watching the east a few days before December 31, 2021, for red Mars and red Antares. On December 31, the moon will join the show.

John Jardine Goss

Deborah Byrd

December 27, 2021

How to catch the elusive green flash

It's not hard to see a green flash with the eye alone, when sky conditions are right, and when you're looking toward a very clear and very distant horizon.

Deborah Byrd

December 25, 2021

Comet Leonard in the evening sky

The first comet to be found in 2021 was Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1). It's now the brightest and best comet of this year! Charts and more here.

Eddie Irizarry

Deborah Byrd

December 20, 2021

Ursid meteor shower peaks morning of December 22

The Ursid meteor shower always peaks around the December solstice. The dark hours before dawn are best. This year, a nearly full moon interferes.

Deborah Byrd

December 19, 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.