Features

Beyond Hubble

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

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

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

Toutatis shoots past Earth

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

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

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.

The Maksutov revolution

If you’re looking for optical quality in a small package, consider one of these fine telescopes.

Departments

This month in Astronomy
Letters
Bob Berman’s strange universe
Glenn Chaple’s observing basics
Interview
News
The sky this month
New products
Book reviews
Coming events
Advertiser index
Resources
Reader gallery