Posts by

Deborah Byrd

Matter falling into a black hole at 30% light speed

There may be misaligned disks of material rotating around the black hole. Rings of gas may be breaking off and colliding, leaving gas to fall directly towards the black hole at unfathomable speeds.

Deborah Byrd

September 30, 2018

Scientists spy roving dust storms on Titan

Using data from the Cassini spacecraft, whose mission to Saturn ended a year ago, scientists now say they can see dust storms moving across the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

Deborah Byrd

Eleanor Imster

September 26, 2018

Opportunity emerges from Mars dust

We still haven't heard from the Opportunity rover on Mars, which went silent in June when a dust storm engulfed it. Now, at least, the dust has cleared, and we can see the rover!

Deborah Byrd

September 26, 2018

What are haboobs? Amazing pics and videos

Dust storms, also known as haboobs, occur when winds from dying thunderstorms push downward and pick up sand and dirt across desert areas. Amazing pics and video from last summer's haboobs in Arizona, here.

Matt Daniel

Deborah Byrd

September 26, 2018

Which one is ‘Oumuamua’s home star?

The 1st object known to be from another solar system passed through our solar system a year ago. Where did it come from? Astronomers have identified 4 plausible candidates.

Eleanor Imster

Deborah Byrd

September 26, 2018

See it! 2018’s Harvest Moon

Photos from the EarthSky community of 2018's Harvest Moon. Thanks to all who submitted or posted at EarthSky Facebook!

Deborah Byrd

September 25, 2018

How scientists know our seas are rising faster

Sea levels have been rising since the end of the last Ice Age. But, as climate warms, the rate of the rise is accelerating. A new ESA video explains how we know.

Deborah Byrd

September 24, 2018

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

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.