Sign Up for Our Amazing Newsletter!
A daily update by email. Science news, great photos, sky alerts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Posts by
Deborah Byrd
New image of Earth’s new mini-moon
Late in the day on Thursday, astronomers released this new image of 2020 CD3, a small object now confirmed to be orbiting Earth temporarily. It was apparently captured into Earth orbit 3 years ago. Its fate, here.
February 27, 2020
African dust bombards the Canary Islands
These hot, dust-laden winds are known as “la calima” and happen most often in winter. They can blow at up to 75 mph (120 kph). The dust kicked up last weekend in Africa drifted over the Canary Islands, shutting down airports and stranding travelers.
February 24, 2020
Photos: When the moon hid Mars
The moon will cover Mars 5 times in 2020, but the occultation on February 18, 2020, was the only one accessible to viewers in much of North and Central America. Photos from the EarthSky Community here.
February 19, 2020
Study examines effects of nuclear war on Earth’s oceans
Researchers concluded that even a contained nuclear conflict would take a toll on Earth's oceans and potentially disrupt the human food web. "The impacts are huge," a scientist said.
February 10, 2020
Liftoff! Solar Orbiter launches successfully
ESA's sun-exploring Solar Orbiter will be the first spacecraft ever to fly over the sun's poles. It'll study the origin of the solar wind, which has the potential to affect earthly technologies.
February 10, 2020
Pluto’s icy heart makes winds blow
A “beating heart” of frozen nitrogen controls Pluto’s winds and may give rise to features on its surface, according to a new study.
February 9, 2020
NASA to broadcast Sunday’s Solar Orbiter launch
Solar Orbiter - aka SolO - will take the first direct images of the sun’s poles. Following Sunday's launch, the spacecraft will take a loopy path through the inner solar system, borrowing thrust from the powerful gravitational fields of Earth and Venus.
February 7, 2020
Congratulations, Christina Koch!
Astronaut Christina Koch has returned to Earth after a record-breaking stay of 328 days aboard the International Space Station. She now holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
February 6, 2020
Citizen scientists identify new form of northern lights
Space researchers and amateur photographers in Finland have categorized a new type of aurora, or northern lights. They call them “dunes.” Read more and see a video.
February 4, 2020
Warm water measured below Antarctic glacier
The warm water found flowing under Thwaites Glacier in western Antarctica helps explain its rapid melting. Thwaites is part of what's described the "weak underbelly" of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Its melting has implications for sea-level rise around the world.
February 4, 2020
