December 2005
Volume 1. Number 12
COVER STORY
Europe's Eye on Mars
The camera aboard the Mars Express orbiter is giving scientists and the public an entirely new look at the Red Planet.
By Robert Naeye
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• A Moon for the "10th Planet"
• More Exoplanets Found
• Large Binocular Telescope
• Saturn's Moons in Close-up
and more...
Spotlight On...
Faces of the Sun
By John Kennewell
The Atmosphere
Earth's thin covering of gases protects us and gives us life.
By Jonathan Nally
E.E. Barnard's Milky Way
One hundred years ago, a lone astronomer laid the groundwork for a pivotal change in our understanding of the Milky Way's structure.
By William Sheehan
Walking on the Moon
A new IMAX movie takes you on an incredible voyage to the Moon.
By Jonathan Nally
Red-Faced Mars
A commonsense look at the prospect of alien life on the Red Planet.
By Phil Plait
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Southern Binocular Highlights
NGC 288 in Sculptor
By Les Dalrymple
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Venus Shines Brightly
By Jonathan Nally
Tonight's Sky
Deep-Sea Nights
By Greg Bryant
Deep Sky Delights
Cloudy Nights, Part 3
By David Frew
Exploring the Moon
Ancient Lunar Faults
By Charles A. Wood
Celestial Calendar
Faint Fuzz Balls
By David Seargent
Celestial Calendar
Occultations from the Edge
By Steve Kerr
Celestial Calendar
Seeking the Crescent of Venus
By Clyde Hostetter
Targets
Introducing the Levy List
By David H. Levy
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
The Classic Telescope
These days, refractors come in all shapes and sizes. We take a look at a range of offerings..
By Ed Ting
AS&T Test Report
Planetary Processing with RegiStax 3
The latest release of this popular program incorporates new tools to help you create ultrasharp views of Solar System objects.
By Sean Walker
Books & Beyond
• Stardust In Your Eyes
• Cosmic Inspiration
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
The Astronomy Scene
The Pull of the Ringed Planet.
By Noeleen Lowndes
Astrophotography
Resolution Realities.
By Donald Bruns
First Light: For Beginners
No-Tears Collimation
By Gary Seronik
Ask AS&T
• Can I see the crescent Venus with the naked eye?
• How many Milky Way stars go backwards?
and more...
Activities
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Getting Into It
By Jonathan Nally
Letters
• Magic Can Happen
• Gobsmacked
• A Flare for the Sun
and more...
Mission Update
By Jonathan McDowell
Subscription Offer
FREE! 18 Moon Phase Maps or a NASA DVD, see our offer
Data Pages
Focal Point
Save the Leap Second!
By Christian Steyaert
Index to Advertisers