Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Sun photobombed Mars encounter with comet Siding Spring

Comet Siding Spring swept closer to Mars than any known comet in recorded history, creating the largest-ever-known meteor shower. But the sun got in on the act.

Deborah Byrd

September 24, 2017

Astronomers find strange, comet-like double asteroid

Comets are loose collections of ice and dust, sometimes with long tails. Asteroids are more rocky or metallic. Now astronomers have found a comet-like double asteroid.

Deborah Byrd

September 23, 2017

Earth will give this spacecraft a gravity boost today

OSIRIS-REx - bound for a 2018 encounter with asteroid Bennu - will sweep in close to Earth on Friday. It'll be closest today just before 16:52 UTC (12:52 p.m. EDT).

Deborah Byrd

September 22, 2017

See it! Young moon and Jupiter

Wow! So many beautiful photos of something relatively hard to catch … the young moon returning to the evening sky this week next to the bright planet Jupiter.

Deborah Byrd

September 22, 2017

Triple lightning hits the sea

Roberto Porto captured this image on September 15. He's on the island of Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands, off West Africa.

Deborah Byrd

September 20, 2017

See it! Dance of planets before dawn

Mars emerged before dawn last week, to meet Mercury below bright Venus. And then the moon passed through. Thanks to all who submitted photos!

Deborah Byrd

September 19, 2017

Dust devils on Earth and Mars

Researchers spent 5 years studying dust devils in earthly deserts. They said their research has implications for climate and weather on both Earth and Mars and for human health.

Deborah Byrd

September 18, 2017

Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

Exoplanet WASP-12b has the unique capability to trap 94 percent of the visible starlight falling into its atmosphere. The result is a world as black as fresh asphalt.

Deborah Byrd

September 17, 2017

Venus’ mysterious night side revealed

Researchers using Venus Express spacecraft data report "stationary waves" and slowly moving features in the planet's upper clouds, during Venus' long and mysterious night.

Deborah Byrd

September 16, 2017

Outer space

"I'm a daydreamer and a nightthinker," wrote photographer Manuel Dietrich.

Deborah Byrd

September 16, 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.