Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Fornax Galaxy Cluster reveals its secrets

This new 2.3-gigapixel image of the Fornax Galaxy Cluster - one of the largest images ever released by European Southern Observatory - might make you feel small.

Deborah Byrd

October 25, 2017

Artificial intelligence finds 56 new gravitational lens candidates

Using the same technology Tesla is using to teach cars to drive themselves, European astronomers are using artificial intelligence to seek out and find many new gravitational lenses.

Deborah Byrd

October 24, 2017

How cold and wet this winter in the US?

La Niña (or not) is the biggest wildcard in how this year’s winter might shape up. Overall, NOAA's outlook suggests a relatively cool, wet U.S. North - and warm, dry U.S. South - this winter.

Deborah Byrd

October 23, 2017

From Arizona, 2 Taurid fireball photos

First 2 Taurid fireball photos we've seen this year, but we're expecting more. These 2 photographers, 100 miles apart, likely saw the same bright meteor.

Deborah Byrd

October 23, 2017

Astronomers confirm Earth has an asteroid buddy

It's the best and most stable example to date of a near-Earth companion, or "quasi-satellite." It's a small asteroid called 2016 HO3. It travels along with Earth in orbit around the sun.

Deborah Byrd

October 22, 2017

See it! Orionid meteors this weekend

This weekend's Orionid meteor shower didn't disappoint. EarthSky community photos, here.

Deborah Byrd

October 22, 2017

Young moon, refracted by atmosphere

Wonderful timelapse from Mike Cohea showing the October 20 young moon - only 1.3% illuminated - setting over Newport, Rhode Island, being refracted by Earth's atmosphere.

Deborah Byrd

October 22, 2017

See it! Elusive Uranus at opposition

Uranus - most distant planet visible, barely, to the unaided eye - was opposite the sun this week. Photos from the EarthSky community here.

Deborah Byrd

October 20, 2017

Watch for Taurid fireballs

North and South Taurid meteor showers happen simultaneously in late October and November. They're relatively minor showers, but produce a high percentage of fireballs, or bright meteors.

Bruce McClure

Deborah Byrd

October 19, 2017

Sunset over Atlantic, from Brazil

Saquarema was once known as Brazil's surfing capital. Spring is in progress there, and Helio C. Vital says that the sunset is almost back over the ocean.

Deborah Byrd

October 19, 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.