Posts by

Deborah Byrd

New solar sail may travel to Alpha Centauri

The distances between stars are vast, which is why star travel is so far. But now, a new solar sail may be able to travel to Alpha Centauri in 20 years.

Deborah Byrd

March 12, 2022

Breakup of an asteroid: 8th anniversary

Breakup of an asteroid: Scientists watched as, over a period of months, the asteroid known as P/2013 R3 broke into smaller pieces 8 years ago.

Deborah Byrd

March 6, 2022

Is a rocket going to strike the moon today?

Yes, a rocket will strike the moon on March 4, 2022. It's not a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It may be a Chinese rocket that launched in 2014.

Deborah Byrd

Kelly Kizer Whitt

March 3, 2022

Use Big Dipper to locate Hunting Dogs

Find out how to use the Big Dipper to find the constellation Canes Venatici, also known as the Hunting Dogs, which contains the stars Chara and Asterion.

Deborah Byrd

March 3, 2022

Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies are merging

The Milky Way and Andromeda merger has already begun. The two spiral galaxies will form one giant elliptical galaxy in 5 billion years.

Deborah Byrd

Theresa Wiegert

March 2, 2022

March 2 is Pioneer 10’s 50th anniversary

March 2, 2022, is Pioneer 10's 50th anniversary. The spacecraft launched on March 2, 1972 and went on to become a true pioneer in space exploration.

Deborah Byrd

March 2, 2022

Wildfire risk will rise, UN report says

A new UN report says wildfire risk will rise. The report projects a 14% increase by 2030, 30% by 2050 and 50% by the end of the century.

Deborah Byrd

February 23, 2022

Largest galaxy yet seen, in radio: Alcyoneus

Astronomers have discovered the largest galaxy yet via radio astronomy. It would take 100 Milky Way galaxies laid end to end to equal its size.

Kelly Kizer Whitt

Deborah Byrd

February 20, 2022

History of Milky Way mergers revealed in Gaia data

Astronomers analyzed Gaia data to create an atlas of Milky Way mergers with smaller galaxies, using data about stellar streams and globular clusters as well.

Deborah Byrd

February 17, 2022

This is your Science Love Song

Just in time for Valentine's Day: the Science Love Song. An oldie but goodie - bizarrely heart-warming - from the guys at ASAPScience. Boom!

Deborah Byrd

February 14, 2022

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.