The shadow of Mauna Kea – a dormant volcano and the highest point in the U.S. state of Hawaii – cast by the rising sun. Just to the right, Haleakala – a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian island of Maui – is rising out of the clouds. Because of its height above sea level, Mauna Kea is the site of many astronomical observatories. In the foreground are the Subaru Telescope, the twin Keck Telescopes and the NASA Infrared Telescope. Photo taken December 29, 2014 by Imaginescape Photography.
Mauna Kea, by the way, stands 13,803 feet (4,207 meters) above sea level.
Deborah Byrd 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. 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. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. 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.
Like what you read? Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.