September 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

A Field Guide to UFOs

By Philip J. Klass

Although thousands are reported each year, nearly all UFO sightings turn out to be something ordinary.

pg. 30

When E.T. Calls Us

By Seth Shostak

The search is under way, but what would happen if humans receive a message from extraterrestrials?

pg. 36

Does a Monster Lurk Closeby?

By Bonnie Schulkin

Hidden behind a wall of dust, the center of our galaxy long remained an enigma. Yet most astronomers now believe that a massive black hole lurks there.

pg. 42

Reinventing the Planetarium

By Daniel Pendick

If you haven't visited a planetarium recently, get ready for a surprise: New technology has transformed many of them into dazzling showcases.

pg. 48

Cooking Up a Cosmos

By Alan Guth

The physicist who developed inflation theory examines whether an advanced civilization could create its own universe.

pg. 54

Blue Sky Gazing

By Bob Berman

Tired from those late nights under the stars? Why not explore the many treats awaiting you under a sunlit sky?

pg. 72

Ask Astro

The editors of ASTRONOMY answer your questions about the sky and the universe.

pg. 78

Tabletop Star Cruiser

By Steve Edberg

Meade's 3.6-inch ETX telescope puts razor-sharp optics in a package that's a breeze to set up and use.

pg. 80

Sweeping the Bottom

By Richard Jakiel

If galaxies are your cup of tea, don't overlook the telescopic treasures awaiting you in the southern constellations of Grus and Piscis Austrinus.

pg. 86

Departments

Behind the Scenes

Looking for Life, Any Size

Letters

AstroForum

AstroNews

- Lunar Water? The Jury's Still Out
- The Changing Weather of Mars
- Yardstick to the Coma Cluster
- Cosmic Rain of Mini-Comets

Astronomy Books

- Planet Quest: The Epic Discovery of Alien
Solar Systems
- Worlds Unnumbered: The Search for
Extrasolar Planets

AstroBytes

- Linux for Astronomy
- The Planets and The Universe

Meetings and Events

Resources & Photofacts

New Products

- Trappings for Small Telescopes
- Dobsonian Reflector Kit
- Pickup Truck Tent

Advertiser Index

Reader Reports

Ultimate Exposure

Sky Almanac

The moon slides in front of Saturn on the 18th, but don't let this striking occultation overshadow brilliant Jupiter or Mercury at its best.

Hot Shots

An Unforgettable Anatomy Lesson

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

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

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