Year of the Comet
Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)

PANSTARRS information

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON)

ISON information

Issues

November 2009

Purchase this Issue
The November 2009 issue of Astronomy magazine explains how scientists are searching for the mysterious particles that make up 90 percent of the universe’s mass, reveals how an amateur astronomer’s discovery has influenced what we know about X-ray outbursts from young stars, suggests 10 extragalactic train wrecks to observe, and more. The issue hits newsstands October 6. Video: Editor David J. Eicher previews the November 2009 issue.
Features
What do we really know about dark matter?
By Liz Kruesi
Some type of mysterious, invisible mass holds the universe together. Here's how scientists are searching for it.
pg. 28
Astronomy: the next generation
By Ray Villard
Beyond 2020, telescopes will be huge, cost-effective, and easy to service - even the ones in space.
pg. 34
By Michael E. Bakich
One of the tools that will help guide Altair is the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) project.
How an amateur changed stellar astrophysics
By Adam Frank
Thanks to Jay McNeil's discovery, we may soon know what feeds X-ray outbursts from young stars.
pg. 48
By Daniel Pendick
This animation will give you a close-up look at the 2004 outburst of the young star V1647 Orionis and McNeil's Nebula.
Watch as galaxies collide
By Alan Goldstein
Even at vast distances, galaxies twist and distort each other into weird shapes. Target these 10 fascinating extragalactic train wrecks.
pg. 56
By Alan Goldstein
Check out these 10 additional galactic train wrecks.
Face to face with the century's longest eclipse
By Michael E. Bakich, David J. Eicher, Richard Talcott
As the Sun and Moon aligned over Asia, daytime turned to night, and millions witnessed nature's grandest spectacle.
pg. 60
By Michael E. Bakich
One of Astronomy's senior editors shares images from his trip.
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