Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Sunsets are moving north

Here's what happens if you take a photo of the sun each day at sunset, for several days in a row. You can see the sun's northward motion along your horizon.

Deborah Byrd

March 25, 2015

Highest and lowest points on Earth

Ever wonder how high the highest points on Earth are, in contrast to the deepest manmade boreholes and ocean trenches? Check out this fascinating infographic.

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2015

Dwarf planet Ceres gets place names

First topographical map of Ceres with named quadrangles. Scientists announced the names at last week's Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Andrew R. Brown

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2015

Do stars make sounds?

The stars might be singing – but, since sound can't propagate through the vacuum of space, no one can hear them.

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2015

Meteor season ahead!

Mount Rainier, the Milky Way and a Perseid meteor! Plus a look forward to April's Lyrid meteor shower.

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2015

See it! Venus, Mars, moon March 21-22, 2015

EarthSky community photos of dazzling planet Venus and the moon - with fainter Mars nearby - on the nights of March 21 and 22, 2015.

Deborah Byrd

March 23, 2015

Another seasonal signpost

Earth's tilt on its axis causes the seasons. The tilt causes the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to trade places, in receiving the sun's rays most directly.

Deborah Byrd

March 20, 2015

Awesome St. Paddy’s Day aurora!

Photos from the EarthSky community of the March 17, 2015 aurora.

Deborah Byrd

March 18, 2015

It’s been snowing in Hawaii

Check out this early March 2015 Landsat image of snowfall on Mauna Kea, Hawaii's highest point.

Deborah Byrd

March 17, 2015

Colors of life on exoplanets

Scientists measure chemical fingerprints for 137 different microorganism species. They hope astronomers will use the colors to recognize life on distant planets.

Deborah Byrd

March 16, 2015

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.