November 2003

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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

Order out of chaos

By Ray Villard

Like a flotilla of PT boats accompanying two giant aircraft carriers, dozens of dwarf galaxies surround and interact with the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. Now, astronomers are finding our Local Group forms a microcosm of the universe at large.

pg. 38

Absurd universe

By Michael S. Turner

All that we see is not all there is. In fact, what's visible to us makes up only 0.5% of the total mass of the universe. Is that absurd? Find out in this intriguing story about dark matter and dark energy.

pg. 44

Great balls of fire

By Marcia Bartusiak

Considered retirement homes for old stars, globular clusters have long been overlooked as objects of serious study. But their time to shine has come - these stellar communities display remarkable diversity and harbor some of the universe's most intriguing characters.

pg. 48

Exploring the Pinwheel

By Alan Goldstein

One of the largest galaxies in our Local Group is the Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as M33. We now know what lies within its vast spirals - objects waiting for amateurs to observe.

pg. 72

Diamonds in the rings

By Alister Ling

In a good year, observers are lucky to catch the Ringed Planet gliding in front of one moderately bright star. But this month presents two golden opportunities: Watch a couple of 8th-magnitude stars flicker and disappear before your very eyes.

pg. 76

A night with the Feras

By Bob Fera, Janice Fera

Whether you are interested in astrophotography as an activity or you just enjoy looking at great celestial pictures, this pair of California amateurs has something for you.

pg. 78

Super scope buyer's guide

By Michael E. Bakich

If you are looking for that perfect holiday gift either for yourself or your loved one, the search is over. ASTRONOMY reviews twenty-five tried-and-true telescopes that will delight newcomers and inspire seasoned observers.

pg. 82

Departments

This month in Astronomy

Meet the (violent) neighbors

Beautiful universe

Letters

Bob Berman's strange universe

Left in the dark

Glenn Chaple's observing basics

Are you ready for a telescope?

Interview

Cosmologist Michael Turner