Posts by

Deborah Byrd

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

Has Comet Elenin split in two or disintegrated?

Infamous Comet Elenin might be self-destructing. Its core appears elongated, and its brightness has decreased - telltale signs of a cometary break-up.

Deborah Byrd

August 30, 2011

Tropical Storm Katia seen as day breaks over Atlantic

A NOAA satellite captured this wondrous image of what might be a newly forming hurricane, Katia, building today in the eastern Atlantic.

Deborah Byrd

August 30, 2011

How to see Mars in August 2011

Mars will not look as big as the moon on August 27, 2011. But, in August 2011, you can see Mars as respectably bright ruddy star, in the eastern predawn sky

Deborah Byrd

August 27, 2011

Irene could bring storm surge flooding to NYC

Hurricane Irene is now Category 2, but it could still cause billions in damages. New York City has ordered the first mandatory evacuations in its history.

Eleanor Imster

Deborah Byrd

August 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.