April 2009

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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

Why the universe had no beginning

By Paul J. Steinhardt

The Big Bang may not have been the instant of creation but a single event in an infinite cycle.

pg. 28

Web extra: A cosmos with no beginning or end

By Richard Talcott

The cyclic theory of the universe proposes a novel answer to the question: What happened at the Big Bang?

Is Earth one of a kind?

By Ray Villard

Ten years ago astronomers thought our planet was really, really special. New observations suggest it may not be so rare.

pg. 34

Is the Big Bang in trouble?

By Daniel Pendick

The cosmologists who explained how our universe came to be now face their greatest challenge: proving exotic fundamental concepts like dark matter and energy.

pg. 48

Web extra: The curious matter of the missing matter

By Daniel Pendick

Scientists still can't account for about 40 percent of the stuff of stars, planets, and people.

Find your way through the spring sky

By Michael E. Bakich

Warm weather and giant constellations beckon beginning observers.

pg. 54

Chris Schur captures the universe

By Chris Schur

Detailed galaxy shots, Milky Way panoramas, and gleaming star clusters showcase this skyshooter's best work.

pg. 56