Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Venus and Jupiter, from Brazil

Most of us don't often (or ever) witness the view at sunset, from atop a high mountain, on which is perched an astronomical observatory. The 2 planets here are Venus and Jupiter.

Deborah Byrd

September 23, 2018

It’s Mid-Autumn Festival time in Asia

In China and other Asian countries, it's sometimes called the Moon Festival in honor of the upcoming full moon.

Deborah Byrd

September 23, 2018

Why is Earth’s spin axis drifting?

As Earth rotates, its spin axis -- an imaginary line that passes through the North and South Poles -- drifts and wobbles. Scientists now have, for the 1st time, identified 3 reasons why.

Deborah Byrd

September 23, 2018

Why your equinox sun rises and sets due east and west

How is it possible for an equinox sun to rise due east - and set due west - for everyone around the world? How can you visualize it? Illustrations here.

Deborah Byrd

September 21, 2018

Life imitates art? Astronomers find Star Trek planet Vulcan

In recent decades, astronomers and Trekkies had fun speculating on what might serve as Spock's home star. Many settled on 40 Eridani A, about 16 light-years away. Now a Vulcan-esque planet has been found for this star!

Deborah Byrd

September 19, 2018

Elon Musk and SpaceX announce 1st tourist for ‘moon loop’

Musk said Monday from SpaceX headquarters in California that it will send Japanese billionaire and online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa - with a group of artists - on a loop around the moon and back to Earth in 2023.

Deborah Byrd

September 18, 2018

Dry ice frosts a Mars crater

The white markings here are bright residual carbon dioxide ice deposits - dry ice - on the south-facing rim of a pit crater on Mars.

Deborah Byrd

September 18, 2018

TESS planet-hunter achieves 1st light

Launched last April, TESS is successor to the Kepler mission, which discovered a substantial fraction of all known exoplanets orbiting distant suns. This 1st-light image from TESS is cause for celebration. Ahoy! New worlds ahead!

Deborah Byrd

September 17, 2018

Last night’s 1st quarter moon

A 1st quarter moon is showing us half of its day side, or a quarter of the whole moon.

Deborah Byrd

September 17, 2018

Mars is closest to the sun today

On September 16, 2018, Mars reaches perihelion, its closest point to the sun in its 2-year orbit. Mars' brightness in July and August - and a recent global dust storm on the planet - are both linked to this event.

Deborah Byrd

September 16, 2018

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.