November 2006
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
On the hunt for magnetars
Ten years ago, astronomers thought the idea of ultra-magnetized stars was crazy. Now, they know magnetars unleash mammoth bursts of energy.
Online extra: Astronomers explore magnetar mega-flare
A neutron star’s massive 2004 outburst is giving astronomers an inside view on these superdense objects.
Does life really need water?
NASA’s quest for life says, “Follow the water.” But is that nature’s only choice?
NASA targets distant worlds
New missions to the giant planets — and their moons — top planetary scientists’ wish lists.
Making waves
Astronomers see incredible detail using a technique called interferometry.
Observe fall’s top galaxies
Not all galaxies fall under the category of “faint fuzzies.” This list will rock your universe.
Online extra: Charting autumn’s galaxies
Use these print out finder charts for the season’s best galaxies.
Get ready for the Leonids
Moonless nights promise dozens of meteors per hour at this shower’s peak.
Online extra: It’s Leonids time again
Enjoy this meteor shower all year by snapping some photos.
Mercury crosses the Sun
The elusive inner planet transits the Sun’s disk for the last time in 10 years.
Online extra: Space scientists look at future Mars exploration
Planetary scientists have big ideas for studying Mars. Here’s what NASA has in store.
Departments
This month in Astronomy
Beautiful universe
Letters
Bob Berman’s strange universe
Glenn Chaple’s observing basics
Phil Harrington’s binocular universe
Entertain the Queen
News
The sky this month
New products
Coming events
Advertiser index
Reader gallery
