Astronomy‘s mission:
Astronomy promotes the science and hobby of astronomy through high-quality publications that engage, inform, entertain, and inspire.
Waukesha, Wis. — First published in summer 1973, Astronomy magazine has seen many historic discoveries in its lifetime. The August issue of Astronomy examines the last 35 years of the hobby, travels into the next 35, and takes you behind the scenes of the world’s best-selling astronomy magazine.
Included in this special anniversary issue is a timeline history of amateur astronomy. This foldout poster includes snippets of articles from previous issues of Astronomy. The magazine also commemorates the anniversary by unveiling a new look.
The August 2008 Astronomy magazine hits newsstands July 1.
See all the covers from throughout Astronomy‘s 35 years, and read each issue’s table of contents here.
Read more about the history of the magazine, here.
“Top 10 discoveries of the last 35 years”
In the past 35 years, Astronomy has witnessed many incredible breakthroughs. In “Top 10 discoveries of the last 35 years,” Senior Editor Richard Talcott counts down Astronomy‘s pick of the biggest discoveries, including proving the existence of black holes, examining Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, and finding hundreds of planets outside our solar system.
More resources from Astronomy.com:
- Astronomy news
- Astronomy basics
- Glossary of astronomical terms
- Return to Astronomy “For the media” page
“It’s been an exhilarating ride for everyone involved,” says Talcott, “from the professional scientists who made the discoveries to the public who devours the latest findings.” To see the number one discovery, pick up the August issue of Astronomy.
“Where will astronomy be in 35 years?”
Still wondering when life will be found on other planets or when vacation homes will be available on the Moon? “Where will astronomy be in 35 years?” by Senior Editor Francis Reddy, discusses what lies in astronomy’s future.
“If you like monster telescopes, dark energy, and exo-Earths, you’ll love what astronomers are planning for the next decades,” says Reddy.
“Backstage at Astronomy“
Read what it takes to publish the leading astronomy magazine in “Backstage at Astronomy,” by Executive Editor Dick McNally. Go behind the scenes and learn about the production process, the staff, and what a day is like at Astronomy.
August night sky events visible without optical aid
- August 1 — Total eclipse of the Sun, visible to those on a path that stretches from northern Canada to northern Asia
- August 13 — Venus and Saturn appear close to each other in the early evening sky. Look to the west to see this spectacle.
- August 16 — Partial lunar eclipse available to skywatchers in Europe, Asia, and Africa
Also in the August 2008 Astronomy
- “10 rising stars of astronomy” — Meet 10 up-and-coming astronomers.
- “Is there an end to cosmology?” — Harvard’s Avi Loeb discusses the state of the universe.
- “Who really invented the telescope?” — Read about Hans Lipperhey, the first to apply for a patent for a telescope.
- “The sky this month” — Exclusive pullout star charts will guide you through August’s night sky.
- The August issue of Astronomy also includes Astro news, Bob Berman’s Strange universe, Glenn Chaple’s Observing basics, Phil Harrington’s Binocular universe, Stephen James O’Meara’s Secret sky, New products, and Reader gallery.
