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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.

Will you see BepiColombo’s goodbye flyby tonight?

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 12 hours ago
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BepiColombo is a spacecraft on a roundabout journey to Mercury. It’ll sweep near Earth tonight, using Earth as a gravity slingshot to send it hurtling toward the inner solar system. For most of us, BepiColombo will pass unseen. But people with telescopes might spot it! Charts and more here.
Bright waxing gibbous moon among treetops, with 2 birds flying by.

What is a waxing gibbous moon?

Posted by in Moon Phases | 4 days ago
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A waxing gibbous moon appears more than half lighted, but less than full. It rises before sundown and sets somewhere between midnight and dawn.

What is a supermoon?

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | 4 days ago
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We’re currently enjoying a “season” of 3 full moon supermoons: March 9, April 7-8 and May 7, 2020. Then we’ll have a “season” of 3 new moon supermoons on September 17, October 16 and November 15, 2020. Supermoon-o-mania, here.

Photos: Venus and the Pleiades meet

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 7 days ago
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This week, Venus – the brightest planet and dazzling “evening star” – will pass the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters. Look west after sunset! Venus and the Pleiades meet only every 8 years. Photos here.

April 2020 guide to the bright planets

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | 1 week ago
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In April 2020, Venus is at its brightest as the evening “star,” passing near the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, as the month begins. In the morning, you can see Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. In the Southern Hemisphere, catch Mercury before sunrise …
A precisely half-illuminated moon.

1st quarter moon is April 1

Posted by in Moon Phases | 1 week ago
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The 1st quarter moon happens on April 1, 2020, at 10:21 UTC. As viewed from anywhere on Earth, a 1st quarter moon is at its highest in the sky at sunset, looking like half a pie.

Four images of with multiple rounded downward bulges.

Check out these mammatus clouds

Posted by in Earth | 2 weeks ago
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Mammatus clouds can appear ominous. But, in a way that’s so common in nature, their dangerous aspect goes hand in hand with a magnificent beauty.

More essential coronavirus links: March 17-23

Posted by in Human World | 3 weeks ago
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A roundup of information from physicians, scientists and journalists, from March 17 to 23, 2020.

Submit your #SocialDistanceSelfie

Posted by in Human World | Today's Image | 3 weeks ago
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How’re you doing out there? We want to see you and hear from you! Post your selfie at EarthSky Facebook, or at EarthSky Community Photos, or in the comments section of this post.

Sky chart of Orion the Hunter.

Westward shift of Orion and all the stars

Posted by in Tonight | 3 weeks ago
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As Earth makes its grand tour around the sun each year, the constellations all shift westward in our sky. Orion is a good one to notice.