Features

Great Star Parties

The number of these get-togethers has mushroomed in the past 25 years, changing the landscape of amateur astronomy.

Deconstructing the Moon

When an object bigger than Mars smashed into the infant Earth, it created a celestial firestorm – and our moon.

Puzzling Parallax

For ages, astronomers had no clue how far away stars lie. Then a 19th-century marriage of technology and ingenuity showed the true scale of the universe.

Keck Trekking

Perched on a dormant volcano, the 10-meter Keck telescopes provide Earth’s deepest views of the cosmos.

Policing the Universe

Reams of raw data flow into the office of Brian Marsden, who must decide which observations signify a newly discovered comet, asteroid, or supernova.

Celestial Portraits: Cygnus and Lyra

Spectacular clusters, colorful doubles, and glowing gas clouds await backyard observers in these rich starfields.

Eavesdropping on the Cosmos

A visit to picturesque New Mexico and the 27 radio dishes of the Very Large Array will show you why this is the perfect spot to listen to the universe.

Awash in a Sea of Crises

The next time a crescent moon hangs in the evening sky, grab your telescope and explore this vast lava-filled basin.

Ask Astro

We answer your questions about the science and hobby of astronomy.

Departments

Behind the Scenes
Talking Back
AstroNews
Sky Show
Star Stuff
Looking Ahead
Advertiser Index
Hot Shots
Ultimate Exposure