June 1997

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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

What Is Dark Matter?

By James S. Trefil

We can't see it, but it may make up 90 percent of the universe.

pg. 42

The Biggest, the Brightest, the Best

By Sally Stephens

ASTRONOMY presents a cornucopia of celestial records.

pg. 44

Stars that Zap their Neighbors

By Robert Naeye

Hot stars can destroy planets before they ever form.

pg. 50

Was the Universe Designed for Life?

By James S. Trefil

Some scientists wonder whether the universe looks the way it does simply because we are here to see it.

pg. 54

Entering a New Era

By Richard Talcott

Astronauts install two new instruments on Hubble

pg. 58

Sky Almanac

By Martin Ratcliffe, Rick Shaffer

Brilliant Venus climbs higher in the evening sky, while Jupiter and its eclipsing moons dominate the morning.

pg. 62

Discover the Summer Sky

By Glenn Chaple

A small scope can reveal the wonders of this season.

pg. 72

Build a Backyard Observatory for Peanuts

By Dave Kriege

A pre-fab kit is your ticket to an inexpensive observatory.

pg. 78

Charting the Moon by Eye

By Edmund A. Fortier

You don't need optical aid to see features on the moon.

pg. 82

Big Mak Attack

By John Shibley

Meade's mid-sized scope offers crisp images and portability

pg. 86

Departments

Behind the Scenes

ASTRONOMY's New Face

Letters

AstroForum

Give the People What They Want

AstroNews

- Toward a Bigger, Older Universe
- Galileo's Journal Continues
- Is the 51 Peg Planet Dead?
- Hubble Maps Pluto
- End of the Road for Pioneer 10
- Hubble Examines the Planetary
Nebula-Planet Connection
- Star Formation in M101

Astronomy Books

The Photographic Atlas of the Stars

AstroBytes

- NGCView 4.3 for Windows
- Space Station Simulator
- Ask the Astronomer

Meetings and Events

Resources & Photofacts

New Products

- Compact Equatorial Platform for Dobsonians
- Optical Evaluation Eyepiece
- Setting Circles
- Stationary Telescope Pier
- Telescope Construction Kit
- Brass Refracting Telescope
- CCD Flip Mirror and Filter Holder

Advertiser Index

Reader Reports

A Friend on Mir Is a Friend Indeed

Ultimate Exposure

	Sun	Sun	Moon
RISE	—		—	PHASE	—
SET	—		—	DISK	—

	Mercury	Mercury	Venus	Venus
RISE	—		—
SET	—		—
		—		—

	Mars	Mars	Jupiter	Jupiter	Saturn	Saturn
RISE	—		—		—
SET	—		—		—
		—		—		—