Posts by 

Deborah Byrd

7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes offshore in Philippines

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake offshore in the Philippines prompted a tsunami warming, causing coastal residents to flee, but observers reported only small waves.

What star in the northeast flashes colorfully? It’s Capella!

If you see a bright star in the northeast on October evenings, twinkling with red and green flashes, it's probably Capella. See sky charts here.

1st planet orbiting a sunlike star discovered 30 years ago

On October 6, 1995, astronomers announced the discovery of the 1st known planet orbiting a distant sunlike star. This planet is known as 51 Pegasi b.

The Super Harvest Moon overnight on October 6-7

In 2025, look for the October full moon - the Harvest Moon - on October 6. It's the first of four supermoons in a row.

Proxima Centauri discovered 110 years ago

Astronomers thought Alpha Centauri was the closest star to Earth. Then they found a smaller, fainter star that's even closer. They named it Proxima Centauri.

Gamma Cephei, aka Errai, a future North Star

Gamma Cephei - or Errai - is a binary star system that will one day be Earth’s North Star. It's home to the 1st exoplanet ever discovered.

The Big Dipper: Why can’t you see it now?

The Big Dipper is easy to recognize at most times of the year. But the Big Dipper in autumn rides low in the northern sky in the evening hours.

Great Square of Pegasus gallops into the autumn sky

The Great Square of Pegasus consists of 4 stars of nearly equal brightness in a large square pattern. It's a great jumping-off point for star-hopping.

Orion’s Belt points to Sirius on September mornings

Sirius is the sky's brightest star. But sometimes bright planets outshine it. Orion's Belt is your ticket to identifying Sirius.

Fomalhaut is the Loneliest Star … but not in 2025

Fomalhaut is known as the 'lonely one' or 'solitary one' because it shines brightly in an otherwise dim patch of sky. But in 2025, Saturn is nearby.

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