Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

Happy Earth Day! Why do we celebrate it on April 22?

April 22 is the date of Earth Day in part because of Arbor Day, an earlier observance. The focus for 2026 is "Our Power, Our Planet."

Universe’s expansion rate: ‘Something doesn’t add up’

We think we understand the local universe's expansion rate. But measurements confirm a mismatch that could point to a need for new physics.

Kochab and Pherkad: Outer bowl stars of the Little Dipper

Kochab and Pherkad are stars in the Little Dipper asterism. Maybe you can find the Big Dipper but not the Little Dipper? This post will help.

Coma Berenices: See how Leo the Lion lost his tail

Coma Berenices is the constellation of Queen Berenice's Hair. It used to be the tail of Leo the Lion before it became its own constellation.

Notice the westward shift of Orion and all the stars

As Earth makes its grand tour around the sun each year, the stars and constellations all do a westward shift in our sky. Orion is a good one to notice.

Happy birthday, Albert Einstein! Born March 14, 1879

Albert Einstein - born March 14, 1879 - changed our notions of matter, space and time. He launched modern physics, and became a household name.

Virga is rain that doesn’t reach the ground

Learn what virga is and how it forms, and see great photos to help you learn how to identify it yourself! Plus, learn if radar can pick up virga.

Daylight saving time starts: 10 tips for the coming week

Do you think daylight saving time is a good idea? Whether you like it or not, here are some handy tips on how to cope with the time change in the spring.
Sun

Russell-McPherron effect gives us an aurora season: More auroras at equinoxes

There's an aurora season around the equinoxes, due to the way the magnetic fields of the sun and the Earth work in conjunction with sun-Earth geometry.

Lunar eclipse: Tips for watching and enjoying

A total lunar eclipse is coming up overnight on March 2-3, 2026. Here are some tips for watching and enjoying the total lunar eclipse.

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