Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Probing the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Astronomers used an instrument called MUSE to conduct the deepest-ever spectroscopic survey. The result was a bonanza of new knowledge.

Deborah Byrd

November 29, 2017

Most blue whales are ‘right-handed’

Of course, they don't have hands. But scientists used motion-sensing tags to show that most blue whales roll to the right as they feed – except when swimming upward.

Deborah Byrd

November 28, 2017

Early morning halo over Idaho

Sheryl R. Garrison in north Idaho wrote: "This morning began with a stunning sunrise followed by a beautiful 22-degree halo over the Pend Oreille river."

Deborah Byrd

November 28, 2017

Now we know Earth blocks neutrinos

"This achievement is important because it shows, for the first time, that very-high-energy neutrinos can be absorbed by something -- in this case, the Earth."

Deborah Byrd

November 27, 2017

Say farewell to Venus

Did you see the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter before sunup around November 13? Since then, Jupiter has been climbing away from the sunrise, while Venus has been falling toward it.

Deborah Byrd

November 26, 2017

Waving hi to ISS

Karthik Easvur created this image as the International Space Station soared over Hyderabad, India on November 22. How you can spot it. Plus, who's aboard ISS now?

Deborah Byrd

November 25, 2017

Our nights are brighter, and brighter

The International Dark-Sky Association has campaigned for decades to reduce artificial light at night. Yet a new study shows our night skies still brightening at a rate of 2 percent each year.

Deborah Byrd

November 24, 2017

Cloud-to-cloud shadow over China

One morning over Hong Kong, a striking shadow cast from one cloud to another. Photos by Cammy Li. Explanation by Matthew Chin.

Deborah Byrd

November 24, 2017

Last night’s moon, Saturn, Mercury

If you've been watching the west after sunset, you know the young moon is back. It has swept past the planets Saturn and Mercury and still hovers not far from them, with its lighted face pointed toward them.

Deborah Byrd

November 22, 2017

Flowing sand, not water, on Mars

The dark streaks on Mars known as recurring slope lineae are likely the result of repeated avalanches of sand and dust, rather than seeping water, new research shows.

Deborah Byrd

November 21, 2017

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.