Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocks Alaska’s Aleutian Islands

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Adak, Alaska earlier today (August 30, 2013). No immediate reports of injuries or serious damage. No tsunami warning.

Deborah Byrd

August 30, 2013

More photos and update on California’s Rim Fire

As of August 28, the fire is 20% contained. Thousands of firefighters are still battling the blaze, which has burned 184,481 acres near Yosemite National Park.

Deborah Byrd

August 28, 2013

Monarch butterfly habitat in Mexican forests at 20-year low

Climate change and illegal logging in Mexican forests, where the monarchs spend the winter, may be contributing the decline of monarch butterflies.

Deborah Byrd

August 25, 2013

Comet ISON’s path across our sky

This chart shows how we on Earth see Comet ISON in front of the background stars, as it falls toward the sun, moving from the outer to the inner solar system.

Deborah Byrd

August 20, 2013

Video: Perseid meteor explodes and leaves a vapor trail

A meteor during the recent Perseid meteor shower that exploded and then behind a vapor trail, captured on video by Michael Chung.

Deborah Byrd

August 16, 2013

6.5-magnitude quake, many aftershocks, strike New Zealand

Disruptions in transportation and cracks in buildings. No serious injuries reported so far. Many strong aftershocks.

Deborah Byrd

August 16, 2013

Moon halo and Milky Way

Composite image of Milky Way and moon halo - with Venus and Saturn - captured in Mersing, Malaysia before peak of Perseid meteor shower earlier this week.

Deborah Byrd

August 16, 2013

Watch Saturn’s moon Iapetus hide a bright star

The Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, captured this mini-eclipse of a star by Iapetus on August 10.

Deborah Byrd

August 15, 2013

Choppy waters in Lake Michigan

Choppy waters in Lake Michigan, the windy city Chicago, and a sunset.

Deborah Byrd

August 15, 2013

Comet ISON recovered!

Comet ISON might have become a spectacular sight around the time it comes closest to our sun in late November 2013. But, as of now, that's not looking likely.

Deborah Byrd

August 14, 2013

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.