Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Surprises in Venus’ south pole vortex

Behold the erratic motion of the south pole vortex of Venus. And a word about vortices in the atmosphere of other planets in our solar system, including Earth.

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2013

March 23 moon waxing toward full

Last night's moon - March 23, 2013 - waxing toward full. In the coming days, you'll find a large waxing moon in daylight in late afternoon, or shining brightly at night.

Deborah Byrd

March 24, 2013

Help name new planet orbiting Alpha Centauri B. Just $4.99.

Uwingu has announced "a contest for the people of Earth" to name the planet recently discovered to be orbiting Alpha Centauri B.

Deborah Byrd

March 21, 2013

Meet Zoe, a virtual talking head that can express emotion

An expressive avatar like this one might someday serve as a digital personal assistant or replace texting with face messaging.

Deborah Byrd

March 20, 2013

Equinox sunrise

East ... the direction of sunrise, new beginnings, springtime! Happy equinox to all.

Deborah Byrd

March 20, 2013

Auroras seen at high and mid-latitudes this weekend

As expected, the March 15 coronal mass ejection or CME from the sun caused auroras, or northern lights, at high and mid latitudes.

Deborah Byrd

March 18, 2013

Moon and Jupiter on March 17, 2013

A beautiful image of last night's moon and planet Jupiter from EarthSky Facebook friend VegaStar Carpentier in Paris.

Deborah Byrd

March 18, 2013

See Jupiter near moon in daytime sky on March 17 or 18

March 2013 offers the best chance for the next 12 years to see Jupiter near the moon in a blue daytime sky.

Deborah Byrd

March 17, 2013

See a mountain on Mars, as if under Earth-like lighting

NASA's Curiosity rover has acquired images of Mount Sharp on Mars since it set down nearby in August. The latest shows what Mount Sharp would look like on Earth.

Deborah Byrd

March 16, 2013

Geomagnetic storm and aurora alert this weekend

The March 15 CME will reach Earth in one to two days. High latitude and even middle latitude auroras possible this weekend.

Deborah Byrd

March 15, 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.