October 2004

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.

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Features

Beyond Hubble

by
Ray Villard

The Hubble Space Telescope has delivered stunning science for more than
a decade, but it won’t last forever. Astronomers are considering what
a successor might look like.

Cassini reaches Saturn

by
Richard Talcott

After a journey of 7 years and 2.2 billion miles, the Cassini spacecraft finally is in orbit around Saturn. Read about its historic arrival and see the sharpest images ever of the ringed planet.

The star-splitting jets of supernovae

by
Francis Reddy

Astrophysicists invoke jets of matter moving near the speed of light to explain super-energetic supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.

Toutatis shoots past Earth

by
Alister Ling

A fast-flying space rock the size of Gibraltor will zoom past Earth late in September. A finder chart and observing tips will help you see this object.

Venus transit trips

by
Michael E. Bakich, David J. Eicher

More than 30,000 miles total travel distance. Roughly 150 hours total travel time. All for a 6-hour event. Worth it? You bet. Astronomy readers enjoyed trips of a lifetime to South Africa and Egypt to witness the first transit of Venus in 122 years.

The Caldwell Catalog

by
Michael E. Bakich

When British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore published his list of deep-sky objects in 1995, many people cried foul, while others erupted in praise. Regardless of which side you’re on, the Caldwell Catalog is here to stay.