February 2004

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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

The 25 greatest astrophotos in history

By Michael E. Bakich

From the first daguerreotype of the Moon in 1840 to CCD cameras today, imaging the sky has become a science unto itself. ASTRONOMY presents 25 milestone astrophotos that pushed the bounds of technology and shaped our view of the cosmos.

pg. 34

On the trail of Vulcanoids

By S. Alan Stern

A bevy of small asteroids may lurk inside the orbit of Mercury, although searches have yet to turn up a thing. Even so, astronomers continue to hunt for these objects, which could provide valuable clues about the early history of the solar system.

pg. 42

Star light, star bright

By Francis Reddy

In A.D. 1006, sky-watchers in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia were startled by a bright new star. Only now, nearly a millennium later, have astronomers figured out what caused the brightest supernova known.

pg. 48

Orion the Hunter

By Tom Polakis

The Hunter's warrior robes are adorned with nebulae, star clusters, and some of the brightest stellar jewels of the winter sky.

pg. 74

Japan's telescope show

By Barry Kawa

Proving that astronomy is alive and well in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan's leading manufacturers display their latest and greatest telescopes and binoculars.

pg. 80

CCD images at their best

By Tony Hallas

Photo-realistic CCD images are now within your grasp. Let master imager Tony Hallas be your guide to creating the best digital pictures possible, and you'll never have to say "it's only a CCD image" again.

pg. 84

JMI's RB—66 binoscope

By Phil Harrington

Looking for the ultimate binoculars? ASTRONOMY test-drives a connected pair of 6-inch reflecting telescopes that allows you to see wide and deep.

pg. 90

Departments

This month in Astronomy

Astronomy snags two Ozzies

Beautiful universe

The Cocoon Nebula

Letters

Bob Berman's strange universe

Absolutely nothing

Glenn Chaple's observing basics

Get to know the Orion Nebula

Interview

Astrophotographer Jerry Lodriguss

News

— Born in a rough neighborhood
— SMART-1: slow boat to the Moon
— The big cosmic picture
— Biggest solar flare ever recorded
— "Mars soil" on Earth
— Black holes that hide

The sky this month

An evening planet extravaganza

Ask Astro

Are astrophotographic sky colors real?; Axial tilt and climate; Twinkle, twinkle

New products

— Scopic 300Me
— OptiView LPR binoculars
— Aristocrat 60mm brass refractor
— Firefly Planisphere Deluxe

Book reviews

— Mirror, Mirror
— Einstein's Clocks, Poincare's Maps
— The Orion Nebula

Coming events

Advertiser index

Resources

Reader gallery