Features

A tale of two galaxies

One large and one small, the Magellanic Clouds are familiar sights in the southern sky — and they can teach us a great deal about the Milky Way.

How Galileo blended science and art

Always drawing, sketching, or painting, Galileo Galilei saw the cosmos through an artist’s eye.

Gold from the stars

Humanity’s fascination with this precious metal is increased by knowing it comes from the stars.

Observations of Jupiter’s moons

These remote satellites have revealed scant details to earthbound observers for more than 400 years, and offer a great observing challenge.

Collect the cosmos in stamps

While the universe is vast, this selection of stamps can shrink it down to a manageable size.