June 1996

This issue is currently out of stock and will not be reprinted.

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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

E. E. Barnard's Magnificent Milky Way

By William Sheehan

Our galaxy's true splendor emerged a century ago when a pioneering astronomer began taking its photographic portrait.

pg. 32

Ghost Galaxies of the Cosmos

By Chris Impey

So dim they nearly elude detection, low surface brightness galaxies dominate the universe and could be a key reservoir for dark matter.

pg. 40

Worlds Between Worlds

By Clark R. Chapman

On its long journey to Jupiter, Galileo flew past the asteroids Ida and Gaspra, forever changing our view of minor planets.

pg. 46

Sky Almanac

By Jeff Kanipe, Rick Shaffer

The Americas witness their first Blue Moon in nearly three years, while observers around the globe can check out two bright comets in Sagittarius.

pg. 54

Jupiter's Magnificent Show

By Richard Talcott

This summer is a grand time to view Jupiter's intricate cloudtops and the dance of the Galilean satellites.

pg. 64

Barnard's Undiscovered Galaxy

By John Shibley

One of the Milky Way's crowning sights, Rho Ophiuchi exhibits wondrous color contrasts.

pg. 68

A Night-Owl's Guide to Galaxies

By David J. Eicher

If you think summer means only rich star clusters and glowing gas clouds, stay up late and observe a bevy of beautiful galaxies.

pg. 70

Hooray for Comet Hyakutake!

By David J. Eicher

The early returns are in, and Comet Hyakutake wins hands down as the best comet of the last twenty years.

pg. 76

Departments

Behind the Scenes

Magnificent Milky Ways

Letters

AstroForum

Astronomy's Bad, Strange Trip

AstroNews

- Primeval Galaxies at Last
- Core of Great Attractor: Found
- Sharper Than Hubble
- Comets Falling into Young Star?
- Getting to Know the Pleiades
- The Milky Way's Feeding Frenzy, Part 2
- A Record-Breaking Galaxy
- Spirals Show Their Dusty Dispositions

Amateur News

California's Quieter Star Party

Astronomy Books

Constructive Catastrophes

AstroBytes

NASA's Outstanding Multimedia Project

Meetings and Events

Resources & Photofacts

New Products

- Improved CCD Camera
- Dew-fighting System
- Day and Night Clock

Advertiser Index

Reader Reports