Features

How to find planets hidden by dust

The dust clouds that surround other stars can cloak an earthlike planet, but they also can offer tantalizing clues to a planet’s presence.

Web extra: A zodiacal cloud close to home

The beautiful zodiacal light visible in Earth’s sky could have inspired the most iconic structures of ancient Egypt.

Illustrated: Ring around the planets

Saturn sports spectacular rings, but all the gas giants in our solar system have ring systems on display.

10 crazy ideas from astronomy’s past

Some theories excel at explaining the universe. Others, like the ones here, are entertainingly ridiculous.

How amateur astronomers are really doing science

Professional astronomers don’t always catch everything in the sky. Astronomy enthusiasts are discovering near-Earth objects, measuring variable stars, and finding supernovae like never before.

Web extra: How you can do science from your backyard

You don’t need a Ph.D. to contribute to astronomy research.

Challenge yourself with the Palomar globular clusters

Pull out your large scope, head to a dark site, and test your skills with these 15 extreme targets.

Backyard astronomy on a budget

Amateur astronomy might seem like a daunting hobby, but you don’t need much to get started.

Web extra: Beginning observing

For those of you just starting out observing, binoculars are a good beginner tool.

Find your way through the fall sky

Easy-to-recognize star patterns, bright stars, and the Milky Way are just some of what the autumn sky has to offer.

The Ceravolo 300 Astrograph: two scopes in one

This telescope’s dual optical configuration offers wide-field and close-up imaging.

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