December 2012

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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

Curiosity’s first days on Mars

By Bill Andrews

The inside story on the Mars Science Laboratory’s ambitious mission.

pg. 24

Web Extra: Watch the Curiosity rover in action

By Bill Andrews

These videos show off some of the Mars Science Laboratory team’s greatest trials and tribulations.

How the Orion Nebula works

By C. Robert O'Dell

Sorting out the regions within this huge stellar nursery is helping astronomers understand how stars and planets form.

pg. 30

Web Extra: More views of the Orion Nebula

By Michael E. Bakich

Each astrophotographer put his own touch on M41.

5 top discoveries of the Herschel Space Observatory

By Steve Eales

Europe’s great infrared satellite has revealed part of the spectrum never before observed. Here’s what we’ve learned so far.

pg. 44

Web Extra: A deeper glimpse at star formation

By Liz Kruesi

The Herschel Space Observatory has captured many views of stellar birth — the environment and the various stages.

10 great hits from an obscure catalog

By Alan Goldstein

Start targeting Index Catalogue objects, and you’ll wonder why this massive list remains relatively unknown.

pg. 52

Web Extra: Beautiful objects from the Index Catalogue

By Michael E. Bakich

Browse 12 more nebulae and galaxies from this often-neglected list.

Totality rules Down Under

By Richard Talcott

Baily’s beads, two diamond rings, and a pearly white solar corona will greet observers who witness totality from Australia the morning of November 14.

pg. 56

How you can fight light pollution

By Scott Kardel

Starry skies don’t have to be a thing of the past. With three steps, you can help bring them back to your community.

pg. 60

"Astronomy" tests Celestron’s SkyProdigy 6

By Tom Trusock

This 6-inch telescope sets a new standard for ease of use.

pg. 64

Columns

Bob Bermans Strange Universe