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Posts by
Deborah Byrd
Look for the Northern Cross on December evenings
It isn't as famous as its counterpart, the Southern Cross. But the Northern Cross looks like a cross, and it's pretty easy to spot. You'll find it upright in the west on late December evenings.
December 18, 2020
The moon’s shadow on Earth yesterday
During a total solar eclipse, the moon's shadow sweeps across Earth. Those in the shadow's path see the total eclipse. Those outside the path of the shadow may see varying stages of a partial eclipse.
December 15, 2020
Woodpecker’s winter stash
Acorn woodpeckers can be found in the North American West, and in Mexico and Central America. They harvest acorns directly from oak trees, then store the nuts in individually drilled holes in one or more trees, known as "granaries." A single tree may be carrying 50,000 stored nuts!
December 11, 2020
The Stingray Nebula is disappearing
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured never-before-seen images of the rapid fading of the Stingray Nebula. This nebula is a cloud in space, surrounding a dying star.
December 3, 2020
Gaia’s 3rd data release, in numbers
The much-anticipated 3rd data release from the Gaia space observatory happened today.
December 3, 2020
Video shows Arecibo telescope crash
New video shows Arecibo's receiver platform breaking loose and falling onto the radio telescope dish 400 feet below. No one was injured.
December 3, 2020
Monster sunspot AR2786 swings into better view
The sun is becoming active again as it enters Solar Cycle 25. This week, scientists' predictions of sunspots were proven via photos from astronomers around the world. Giant sunspot AR2786 can be viewed with proper filters and may create strong flares that reach Earth.
November 29, 2020
November 23 moon and ISS
The International Space Station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes To the eye alone, it looks like a bright, moving star. Various online tools can help you capture its fleeting pass in front of the moon or sun.
November 24, 2020
NSF says Arecibo telescope will be dismantled
Heartbreaking news. After 57 years as a world-class resource for astronomy, the iconic Arecibo telescope is to be decommissioned, or withdrawn from service, the NSF announced today. The dish-type radio telescope - built into a natural depression in the landscape in Puerto Rico - appears to be headed for a "controlled disassembly."
November 19, 2020
A statement on Arecibo Observatory’s engineering options
Worrisome news regarding broken cables and engineering options at Arecibo Observatory, the iconic big radio dish in Puerto Rico.
November 19, 2020
