Posts by

Deborah Byrd

What would life be like near TRAPPIST-1?

The newly discovered exoplanets orbiting this nearby star are likely to be bathed in high-energy ultraviolet radiation. What would life be like there? An expert explains.

Deborah Byrd

February 22, 2017

Scientists spy 8th continent, Zealandia

A long-lost land mass is submerged in the depths of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Should it be recognized as a full-fledged continent?

Deborah Byrd

February 22, 2017

Brightest, farthest pulsar found!

In one second, this distant pulsar – the spinning remains of a once-massive star – emits the same amount of energy as that released by our sun in 3.5 years.

Deborah Byrd

February 21, 2017

Chicago from St. Joseph, Michigan

The little building in the center of the sunset is in Chicago, as seen from across Lake Michigan, 60 miles away.

Deborah Byrd

February 21, 2017

Help astronomers look for Planet 9

There might be an unknown 9th planet that orbits far from Earth, on the outer fringes of our solar system. You can help astronomers find it, if it exists!

Eleanor Imster

Deborah Byrd

February 20, 2017

Venus green flash

To see a green flash of Venus, you need a very clear day with no haze or cloud low in the sky, a distant horizon (preferably a sea horizon) and a telescope! Photo by Colin Legg.

Deborah Byrd

February 20, 2017

Slooh astronomers catch comet breakup

Will comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann survive its March 16 sweep near the sun, or disintegrate into a trail of cosmic dust?

Deborah Byrd

February 14, 2017

Track in Antarctic ice

Galen Halverson of McGill University captured this photo from the deck of the research ship Nathaniel B. Palmer, in Antarctica's Weddell Sea.

Deborah Byrd

February 13, 2017

Green Comet 45P: Photos and video

Green Comet 45P has been in our sky for months and passed closest on February 11, 2017. It's a faint one, but intrepid astronomers have captured some wonderful images!

Deborah Byrd

February 12, 2017

See it! February 10-11 lunar eclipse

A penumbral eclipse is subtle, but has a quiet beauty all its own. Thank you to all who submitted photos of the February 10-11, 2017 eclipse!

Deborah Byrd

February 11, 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.