When you see the moon as a slim crescent – in the west after sunset – it’s a waxing moon. Is that Earth’s shadow on the moon? No, it’s the moon’s own shadow.
Deborah Byrd is Founder and President of EarthSky, which she created in 1991. We're a digital media company that interviews scientists and brings their words and insights to millions of people around the world. Byrd has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. Byrd is Editor-in-Chief of all EarthSky websites, and she oversees EarthSky’s science podcast series – now in 90-second, 60-second, 8-minute, 22-minute audio formats, and in video – in English and Spanish - with about 20 new EarthSky audio and video podcasts released every Monday. A science communicator and educator for 35 years, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and as a vital tool for the 21st century. Astrophysics, the night sky and imagining space travel remain among her most enduring lifelong passions.
Posts by Deborah
May 24, 2012
Earth
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Each earthquake magnitude is 33 times more powerful than the one before. So each jump in magnitude means a lot! This animation can help you picture it.
SETI Institute’s Jill Tarter disagrees with Stephen Hawking, and movies and TV shows, that depict angry aliens hoping to enslave or eat us.
May 24, 2012
Moon Phases
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Why does the moon seem to change its shape every night? Remember that the moon is a world in space – with a day side and a night side.
May 24, 2012
Earth
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About 22,000 acres are now burning. Smoke from the fires shrouds southwestern New Mexico. Fire crews are standing by, waiting for the winds to die down.
May 24, 2012
Tonight
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See the Twin stars in the constellation Gemini near tonight’s moon. Preview the June 4 eclipse. Remember to look for Venus.
May 23, 2012
Human World
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In this video from BigThink’s Humanizing Technology series, Neil deGrasse Tyson describes why science is a truly human activity.
The Hinode satellite had the same perspective as earthly skywatchers, but its equipment gave it an awesome view of the eclipse.
May 22, 2012
Space
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The SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket successfully blasted off this morning and is now on its way to a history-making journey to the International Space Station.
May 21, 2012
Earth
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The storm watch for Tropical Storm Alberto along the U.S. East Coast was discontinued yesterday (May 20) as 5 p.m. EDT.
