Posts by

Deborah Byrd

5 new pairs of merging supermassive black holes

Merging black holes are the sorts of catastrophic events that produce the strongest gravitational waves. Scientists just announced 5 new pairs, in the centers of distant galaxies.

Deborah Byrd

October 8, 2017

Close encounters of the planet kind

Brilliant Venus and faint Mars swept close last week, in the east before sunup. Check out these awesome photos!

Deborah Byrd

October 7, 2017

See it! 2017’s Harvest Moon

Photos and videos from the EarthSky community of 2017's Harvest Moon. Thanks to all who submitted photos, or posted them to EarthSky Facebook!

Deborah Byrd

October 6, 2017

Harvest moon mirage

When you look over an ocean at a distorted sun or moon, the reason is most often that the low slanting rays of the object are being highly refracted between air layers of different temperatures.

Deborah Byrd

October 6, 2017

Is dust what’s dimming Tabby’s Star?

Astronomers say they've found a smoking gun that rules out the idea of an energy-harvesting megastructure or Dyson sphere - built by an alien civilization - surrounding Tabby's Star.

Deborah Byrd

October 5, 2017

On October 5, the Harvest Moon

The Northern Hemisphere's Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox. It's tonight! Watch for it.

Deborah Byrd

October 5, 2017

Large storm on sun sparked global aurora on Mars

Scientists said the solar event "lit up Mars like a light bulb." It was the biggest event of its kind so far observed by spacecraft in Mars orbit and on the surface.

Deborah Byrd

October 3, 2017

Moon and planet-rise, seen from space

This timelapse video shows a peaceful and breathless moonrise from the International Space Station, with Venus, Mars and Mercury also in view.

Deborah Byrd

October 3, 2017

From 41 degrees N. - and farther north - the Big Dipper is circumpolar, meaning it never sets. But from more southerly latitudes, the Dipper is below your horizon each evening now. Want to see it? Here's how.

Deborah Byrd

October 3, 2017

Farthest active inbound comet yet

Most comets become active only when near the sun. This one is active, but distant, between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus, where sunlight is 1/225th as bright as seen from Earth.

Deborah Byrd

October 2, 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.