Posts by

Deborah Byrd

2005 YU55: See it when it passes Earth on November 8 and 9

When at its closest on November 8 and 9, asteroid 2005 YU55 will look like a steadily moving star. It'll cover a moon's width of sky in under 5 minutes.

Deborah Byrd

November 7, 2011

2005 YU55 will sweep closely past the Earth

The large asteroid 2005 YU55 will fly within the moon's distance from Earth on November 8, 2011.

Deborah Byrd

November 7, 2011

Series of earthquakes near Oklahoma City, including a 5.6 magnitude

The epicenter for the November 6, 2011 Oklahoma earthquakes is 44 miles ENE of Oklahoma City. A highway buckled, and several homes are said to be damaged.

Deborah Byrd

November 6, 2011

NOAA projects 20% chance of X-class solar flares today

A huge sunspot has rotated into view. It has already spawned an X-class solar flare and NOAA is projecting more for November 4, 2011.

Deborah Byrd

November 4, 2011

Australian study: Countries must lower carbon emissions soon

An Australian study say countries must lower their carbon emissions soon, if the world is to stay below 2 degrees warming for the century.

Deborah Byrd

November 3, 2011

Crepuscular rays: View from space

Have you seen crepuscular rays from the ground, fanning out from a sunset or sunrise? Now see them from space.

Deborah Byrd

November 2, 2011

Star with spiral arms spotted by astronomers

SAO 206462 appears to be a relatively young star with spiral arms surrounding it, maybe it's a planetary system.

Deborah Byrd

November 1, 2011

October 30 successful Soyuz rocket launch is good news for ISS

The successful launch of the Soyuz rocket on October 30, 2011 means the International Space Station won't go unmanned, as some had feared.

Deborah Byrd

October 30, 2011

World of 7 billion: What’s your number?

On October 31, 2011, the world population reached 7 billion people. Check out the "What's your number" calculators and find out your place.

Deborah Byrd

October 30, 2011

Former climate skeptic confirms Earth is warming

"Let me explain why you should not be a skeptic, at least not any longer," said University of California physicist Richard Muller in October 2011.

Deborah Byrd

October 26, 2011

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.