Posts by

Deborah Byrd

James Webb Space Telescope receives lifeline from U.S. Senate

A U.S. Senate committee has proposed to allow the embattled James Webb Space Telescope to launch. There are more political hurdles, but it's a step forward.

Deborah Byrd

September 15, 2011

Do scientists feel pressure to produce positive results?

A new study suggests that, yes, there is pressure on scientists to report positive results - that is, results that support their original hypotheses.

Deborah Byrd

September 13, 2011

Power failure in U.S. Southwest from solar flares? Probably not

Officials warn U.S. Southwest residents to go easy on their electric usage this weekend, after restoring power to millions following Thursday's power failure.

Deborah Byrd

September 10, 2011

Vancouver Island in Canada has 6.4 magnitude quake

A strong earthquake - 6.4 magnitude - took place earlier today on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

Deborah Byrd

September 9, 2011

Texas wildfires seen from space

Wildfires have been burning in Texas throughout September 2011. This NASA video shows them from space. Texas wildfires are still burning in parts of Texas.

Deborah Byrd

Beth Lebwohl

September 9, 2011

Solar flare number 4 from Sunspot 1283!

The sun produced a fourth solar flare this week, two X-class flares, the strongest kind. Expect possible auroras, especially on the morning of September 11.

Deborah Byrd

September 8, 2011

Top 10 tips for seeing the supernova

A cosmic explosion - a supernova - from 21 million light-years away has been in the news. To see it, find a star party and experienced observers.

Deborah Byrd

September 8, 2011

Texas wildfires still burning as winds die down

The largest of the Texas wildfires - the Bastrop fire near Austin in Central Texas - is said to be 30 percent contained today.

Deborah Byrd

September 7, 2011

See how fast wildfire spreads

The Bastrop wildfire - which is raging 30 miles east of Austin - has burned at least 600 homes and blackened 30,000 acres in the last 48 hours.

Deborah Byrd

September 6, 2011

Biblical snake infestation down in Texas

Here's what it's like to live in Texas in summer 2011 - a U.S. state stricken with surreal heat and extreme drought and biblical snake infestation.

Deborah Byrd

September 2, 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.