Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Nicolaus Copernicus born 553 years ago today

Today is the 553rd birthday of Nicolaus Copernicus, who removed Earth from the center of the universe and set off a revolution.

Deborah Byrd

February 19, 2026

Cassiopeia the Queen reigns in the February sky

Cassiopeia the Queen is an easy-to-find constellation. It has the shape of a W or M. Look in the northwest, on the evenings, in late winter and early spring.

Deborah Byrd

February 18, 2026

Annular solar eclipse today! 1st solar eclipse of the year

On February 17, 2026, an annular solar eclipse was visible from remote parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Details here.

Marcy Curran

Deborah Byrd

February 17, 2026

Can you see Canopus, the 2nd-brightest star?

Here's how to spot Canopus, the 2nd-brightest star in the sky as seen from Earth, on February evenings. It’s located far south on the sky’s dome.

Deborah Byrd

Larry Sessions

February 17, 2026

Chelyabinsk meteor: February 15, 2013

On February 15, 2013, the Chelyabinsk meteor streaked across the sky over Russia - brighter than the sun - and then exploded.

Deborah Byrd

February 15, 2026

Pale Blue Dot 36 years later: Earth in a sunbeam

February 14, 2026, is the 36th anniversary of the Voyager 1 image of Earth. Voyager was near Saturn when it took this image, now known as the Pale Blue Dot.

Deborah Byrd

February 14, 2026

Be my Valentine? Why we fall in love according to science

Be my Valentine? On this Valentine's Day 2026, read what the world of science says about the mystery we call love, and 10 reasons we fall in love.

Deborah Byrd

February 13, 2026

The stars Shaula and Lesath herald the coming spring

On February mornings, look for the celestial ducks returning to open water on the river of the Milky Way as the stars Shaula and Lesath make their appearance.

Bruce McClure

Deborah Byrd

February 11, 2026

See Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky

Sirius is the brightest star as seen from Earth and is visible from both hemispheres. It lies just 8.6 light-years away, in the constellation Canis Major.

Deborah Byrd

February 10, 2026

Spring fireball season is underway! Watch for them

Spring fireball season is now! The rate of fireballs (bright meteors) often goes up in the Northern Hemisphere by as much as 30% from February through April.

Deborah Byrd

February 6, 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.