Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Unicorn meteors proved elusive, after all

We've heard no reports so far today from anyone who saw a rich burst of meteors from the constellation of the Unicorn (Monoceros) last night. Looks like the meteor burst did not happen.

Deborah Byrd

November 22, 2019

ESA studies human hibernation for space travel

In movies and books, fictional astronauts enter ‘suspended animation’ to cross the vastness of space. Recently ESA investigated how real-life crew hibernation would impact a space mission to Mars.

Deborah Byrd

November 19, 2019

Composite image of SpaceX Starlink satellite swarm

SpaceX's Starlink satellite project will eventually place an initial 12,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit to provide worldwide internet access. This image is from the second batch of satellites launched November 11.

Deborah Byrd

November 18, 2019

Ultima Thule renamed to avoid Nazi link

The distant Kuiper Belt object formerly known as 2014 MU69 - later known as Ultima Thule - has been renamed again. Its new name is Arrokoth.

Deborah Byrd

November 13, 2019

Hubble captures a dozen galaxy doppelgangers

The distant galaxy in this image is nicknamed the Sunburst Arc. It's been lensed into multiple images by a massive, intervening galaxy cluster. A recent study revealed that the 4 bright arcs in this Hubble image contain 12 images - cosmic doppelgangers - of this very distant galaxy.

Deborah Byrd

November 13, 2019

Astronomers catch a record-setting X-ray burst

The sudden spike of X-rays released as much energy in 20 seconds as our sun does in nearly 10 days. Turns out it was a massive thermonuclear flash on a pulsar, the crushed remains of a star that exploded as a supernova long ago.

Deborah Byrd

November 13, 2019

Leonids peak morning likely November 18

Will you see thousands of meteors during the 201 Leonid meteor shower? Doubtful. But you might see a good sprinkling of meteors before dawn November 17 and 18.

Deborah Byrd

November 13, 2019

See it! Monday’s transit of Mercury

Click here for awesome photos from members of the EarthSky community of the November 11, 2019, transit of Mercury. It'll be the last Mercury transit until 2032. A huge thank you to all who submitted to EarthSky Community Photos!

Deborah Byrd

November 12, 2019

SDO caught the Mercury transit from space

Wow! Check out these space-based views of the Mercury transit from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Deborah Byrd

November 12, 2019

If you think the moon is an impediment to meteor-watching

The moon is big and bright nearly all night now. It'll turn full on Tuesday, just as the North Taurid meteor shower reaches a peak. The moon is a problem for meteor-watching, but this owl ... a bigger problem.

Deborah Byrd

November 10, 2019

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.