Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Giant squid have such big eyes, why?

Giant squid have eyes the size of basketballs. Why? In the ocean, it's all about who wants to have you for dinner and to escape their mortal enemies, sperm whales.

Deborah Byrd

May 1, 2012

Three planets – Mars, Saturn, Venus – at nightfall throughout May 2012

Three planets light up the sky as soon as darkness falls on these May 2012 nights. This post tells you how to spot them.

Deborah Byrd

May 1, 2012

Al Gore at Hampshire College: Global warming is real

We sometimes see in the comments to EarthSky posts that Al Gore has "refuted" his claims about global warming. He has not.

Deborah Byrd

April 30, 2012

NASA study: Texas wind farms cause local warming

A NASA study says part of west-central Texas covered by four large wind farms warmed at a rate of .72 degrees Celsius per decade in contrast to nearby regions without wind farms.

Deborah Byrd

April 30, 2012

View from space: Dust storm in Gobi Desert

Dust from the Gobi Desert blew over eastern China on April 27, 2012. See the satellite image for a great view from space.

Deborah Byrd

April 30, 2012

Tornado touches down near Toulouse, France on April 29

Only minor damage was reported including collapsed walls and uprooted trees. Meteorologic reported the tornado as an F1, which would mean winds of 73-112 mph.

Deborah Byrd

April 29, 2012

Why was Venus so bright in late April and early May 2012?

Venus is at its brightest in late April and early May 2012. It's so bright it might surprise you. Some will report it as a UFO. But why so bright?

Deborah Byrd

April 29, 2012

Pollution masked warming over eastern US in 20th century

A study suggests eastern U.S. was kept cooler than it would have been otherwise in 20th century due to a particular type of pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Deborah Byrd

April 29, 2012

View from space: U.S. national parks

National Parks Week in the U.S. extends through this weekend, and admission is free at all 397 national parks. If you can't go, check out these cool photos.

Deborah Byrd

April 28, 2012

Bright is the new black in cities, study shows

Black roofs can be up to 30°C (54°F) hotter than brigiht roofs - those fitted to grow plants - or plain ordinary white roofs, according to scientists in New York.

Deborah Byrd

April 26, 2012

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.