July 1996
The world's best-selling astronomy magazine offers you the most exciting, visually stunning, and timely coverage of the heavens above. Each monthly issue includes expert science reporting, vivid color photography, complete sky coverage, spot-on observing tips, informative telescope reviews, and much more! All this in an easy-to-understand, user-friendly style that's perfect for astronomers at any level.
Features
OK, Where Are They?
Although many think our Galaxy teems with civilizations, life – and particularly intelligent life – may be exceedingly rare.
Unwinding the Helix
Hubble shows that the interior of this famed planetary nebula contains thousands of tiny, comet-shaped globules.
Cosmic Billiards
It used to be a normal binary, but SS Lacertae appears to have lost one of its members when another star collided with it.
Starmaker
Forget the notion that stars form gently from collapsing gas clouds. The real story is one of whirling disks and vast outflows.
Sky Almanac
Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune all reach opposition in July, appearing at their best for the year.
Showtime for Hale-Bopp
The next great comet becomes visible to the naked eye this summer, a prelude to next year’s spectacular show.
Hyakutake’s Spring Surprise
The great comet of 1996 came out of nowhere to astound amateur and professional astronomers alike.
Plunge into the Lagoon
Warm summer nights and a modest scope are all you need to explore the three-dimensional nature of this stellar nursery.
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