May 2012

This issue is currently out of stock and will not be reprinted.

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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

What happens when we detect alien life?

By Seth Shostak

Scientists have been listening for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations for decades, but what would they do if they actually heard one?

pg. 24

Web Extra: Hear the latest in the alien sciences

By Bill Andrews

Watch various scientists discuss their work and its applications to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

What has astronomy done for you lately?

By C. Renée James

Wireless Internet and GPS are just two of the technologies our society uses every day — and both stem from astronomy.

pg. 30

Web Extra - More of astronomy's benefits to society

By Liz Kruesi

Astronomy isn’t just about pretty things in space. Research in this field has helped society in countless ways.

Illustrated: Inside nature's fundamental forces

By Richard Talcott

Gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces control everything in the cosmos.

pg. 44

View May's unusual solar eclipse

By Richard Talcott

The Moon passes in front of the Sun on May 20, bringing an annular eclipse to a few areas in the American west and a partial eclipse most everywhere else.

pg. 48

Web Extra - Find the solar eclipse in your May sky

By Richard Talcott

While some of the world will experience a ring of annularity May 20/21, many more can witness the Moon take a partial bite out of the Sun’s disk that day.

Explore 10 spring galaxies

By Michael E. Bakich

The northern constellation Canes Venatici abounds with star systems for amateur telescopes.

pg. 50

How London created a big-city astro club

By Simon Bennett

The Baker Street Irregular Astronomers shares how a metropark can be a perfect observing area with lots of dedication, a little creativity, and a positive attitude.

pg. 54

Web Extra: Follow an urban deep-sky catalog

By Simon Bennett

The Baker Street Irregular Astronomers astronomical society in London, England, shares its “Holmes Catalog.”

10 great spring binocular sights

By Phil Harrington

When the weather begins to warm, get your sky-fix by grabbing your binoculars.

pg. 58

Web Extra - 10 top spring binocular treats

By Phil Harrington

All you need to enjoy these gems is a dark sky and two eyes.

Astronomy tests Coronado's SolarMax II Telescope