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Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. 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.

First quarter moon, juxtaposed with a telescopic view of the moon at this phase.

1st quarter moon is September 24

Posted by in Moon Phases | 4 hours ago
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The 1st quarter moon happens on September 24, 2020, at 01:54 UTC. That’s September 23 for U.S. time zones. Here’s what to look for, and how to recognize this moon phase.
Satellite map showing route of ascent of Mount Everest, from the Nepalese side.

Satellite data helps climbers ascend Mt. Everest

Posted by in Earth | 1 day ago
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Data from ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite help climbers negotiate a treacherous glacier on the route to Mt. Everest’s summit.

Cool new Hubble portrait of Jupiter’s storms

Posted by in Space | Today's Image | 2 days ago
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A beautiful new image of Jupiter from the Hubble Space Telescope – captured in August 2020 – shows the planet’s icy moon Europa as well as several famous storms in Jupiter’s atmosphere.
A woman standing on an ocean pier, throwing a net toward a red sun in a red sky.

September equinox: All you need to know

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | 3 days ago
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The equinox is September 22.

What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?

Posted by and in Space | 4 days ago
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It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest possible crescent moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young moon? Details here.

Zodiacal light: All you need to know

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | 4 days ago
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The zodiacal light is an eerie light extending up from the horizon before true dawn begins. Southern Hemisphere? Look after sunset!

Earth’s glaciers and ice sheets are melting

Posted by in Earth | 5 days ago
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Several new studies released in recent weeks paint a dire picture of the ongoing melting of Earth’s freshwater ice sheets and glaciers, 99% of which are found in Greenland and Antarctica.

Here are 2 easy ways to find the Andromeda galaxy

Posted by in Tonight | 5 days ago
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The Andromeda galaxy is the closest big galaxy to our Milky Way. Here are 2 different ways to find it, both easy if you have a dark sky!

New moon is September 17, 2020

Posted by in Moon Phases | 6 days ago
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New moons generally can’t be seen. They cross the sky with the sun during the day. This month’s new moon happens on September 17, 2020, at 11:00 UTC.

At the edge of the blast

Posted by in Today's Image | 1 week ago
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A detailed view of a section of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, from NASA.