Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Sun meets Taj Mahal

In 1631, emperor Shah Jahan, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died in childbirth. He built the Taj Mahal in memory of her.

Deborah Byrd

January 28, 2014

Strong earthquake on island in western Greece

Reports of the magnitude of the January 26, 2014 earthquake in Greece vary, but, at this time, the USGS is still reporting the quake as a magnitude 6.0.

Deborah Byrd

January 26, 2014

Sea smoke over the Atlantic

Sea smoke is also called Arctic smoke, or frost smoke, or Arctic mist. It forms when very cold air moves over warmer water.

Deborah Byrd

January 24, 2014

This date in science: A record-setting dive into the deepest ocean

On January, 23, 1960, the bathyscaphe Trieste made a record-setting dive to the deepest known part of the ocean.

Elizabeth Howell

Deborah Byrd

January 23, 2014

Images of closest supernova in years, in galaxy M82

You'll understand why astronomers say a supernova can outshine a whole galaxy.

Deborah Byrd

January 23, 2014

Video: The known universe

Check out a video simulation of the known universe, as mapped through astronomical observations.

Deborah Byrd

January 22, 2014

How sunlight lowers your blood pressure

Hypertension and cardiovascular disease correlate with latitude and rise in winter. Scientists have learned how exposure to sunlight reduces blood pressure.

Deborah Byrd

January 21, 2014

Rosetta is awake!

Wake-up began at 10 UTC this morning, triggering changes aboard the spacecraft that would result in its antenna sending a signal our way. Signal received!

Deborah Byrd

January 20, 2014

Comet Lovejoy heading outward again

Comet Lovejoy came faintly visible to the eye in early November 2013. It was closest to the sun on December 22. It's currently on the outbound leg of its orbit.

Deborah Byrd

January 19, 2014

Rapid spread of California’s Colby Fire on January 16

As of Friday morning, Inciweb was reporting 1,709 acres burned. A Red Flag Warning has been extended to today due to a Santa Ana wind event.

Deborah Byrd

January 17, 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.