Kappa Cassiopeiae speeds through the galaxy at 1,100 kilometers per second. It creates this bow shock, which is about 4 light-years ahead of its star.

Deborah Byrd

February 21, 2014

Did a meteorite smash a roof in Sri Lanka?

Scientists are still investigating the nature of the mysterious rock, which created a hole in the roof - and interior damage - in a house in Sri Lanka.

Deborah Byrd

February 20, 2014

Video: Mars, Spica, moon rising and setting

In case you haven't heard, the planet Mars is back! Getting brighter. Nearly at its best. James McCue includes Mars in this cool video.

Deborah Byrd

February 20, 2014

Scientists name bacterium for Frank Zappa

A form of P. acnes – the bacterium responsible for human acne – reminded these scientists of a Zappa song lyric.

Deborah Byrd

February 19, 2014

Aurora borealis seen at low latitudes on February 18-19

Observers in the northern half of the United States and Canada captured it in photos.

Deborah Byrd

February 19, 2014

Earth-orbiting satellites see Arctic surface darkening faster

The retreat of Arctic sea ice is diminishing Earth's albedo, or reflectivity, by an amount about twice as large as previously thought.

Deborah Byrd

February 18, 2014

Warm U.S. West balanced cold U.S. East to create average January

Overall, the average temperature for January 2014 in the U.S. was 30.3 degrees, only one-tenth of a degree below normal for the month.

Deborah Byrd

February 18, 2014

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.