May 2009
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
How the telescope remade the universe
Within half a century of its invention in 1608, the telescope had transformed our view of the cosmos and Earth’s place in it.
The telescope’s 400-year revolution
Early telescopes were about 1 inch wide; today’s span some 33 feet. Here’s how this crucial tool moved forward.
Web extra: The early reflectors
Compare the optics of the first three telescope designs.
Scoping out the great discoveries
From Jupiter’s moons to dark energy, scientists have used the telescope to make many extraordinary discoveries.
Experience Galileo’s Italy
Walk in Galileo’s footsteps in Rome, Florence, and other haunts of the great astronomer.
Web extra: William Sheehan’s Galileo
The author of Experience Galileo’s Italy explains his appreciations for the great astronomer’s life and work.
Explore the Great Bear’s galaxies
Break out your medium-size telescope and search Ursa Major’s extragalactic treasures.
Web extra: Observing Ursa Major galaxies through a large scope
Follow along for a night of galaxy hunting from Animas, New Mexico.
25 top telescopes for starry nights
Set up one of these high-quality instruments, and you’ll be in observing heaven.
Departments
This Month in Astronomy
Astro Confidential
Beautiful Universe
Letters
Bob Berman’s Strange Universe
Stephen James O’Meara’s Secret Sky
Astro News
The Sky this Month
Ask Astro
Glenn Chaple’s Observing Basics
New Products
Advertiser Index
Telescope Insider
Web Talk
Reader Gallery
