June 2006
Volume 2. Number 5. Issue 17
COVER STORY
The Big League
The Giant Magellan Telescope promises to be the biggest in the world, and a leading Aussie university has just got involved.
By Jonathan Nally
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• NASA Science in Free Fall
• Martian Ice: Wide and Deep
• Stardust's Tiny Treasures
and more...
Skyscape
The day the Sun disappeared.
Glow Globes
Unearthly lights from space flicker and dance in Earth's upper atmosphere.
By Jonathan Nally
Aussies in Space
Australia has had three astronauts, but only two have flown in space. Confused? We set the record straight.
By Colin Burgess
Interview: Andy Thomas
Astronaut and proud Australian Andy Thomas has strong views on where mankind should be going in space.
By Frank Stratford
Stargazing with Galileo
When Galileo first turned a telescope to the heavens four centuries ago, he discovered amazing things - and you can follow in his footsteps.
By Jim Quinn
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Southern Binocular Highlight
Canine Cluster NGC 5822
By Les Dalrymple
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Mars, Saturn and the Beehive
By Jonathan Nally
Tonight's Sky
Fly Me to the Cross
By Greg Bryant
Comets
Picking Up the Pieces
By David Seargent
Occultations
Uranus' Disappearing Act
By Steve Kerr
Meteors
Winter Meteor Magic
By Adam Marsh
Exploring the Moon
Human History on the Moon
By Charles A. Wood
Observer's Log
Jupiter's Junior Red Spot
By Greg Bryant
Observer's Log
An Aussie Nova Discovery
By Greg Bryant
Observer's Log
Watch A Classic Binary Star
By Alan W. MacRobert
Targets
Spot The Sombrero Galaxy
By Ken Hewitt-White
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Books & Beyond
• NASA's Tracking Network
• One Man's Destiny in Space
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
The Astronomy Scene
Astrophoto Winners from New Zealand
By Rachel Helliwell
The Astronomy Scene
Report from the South Pacific Star Party
By Greg Bryant
First Light: For Beginners
Spotlight on Saturn, the Ringed Planet
By Andrew Chaikin
Constellations
Viewing Virgo, the Maiden
By Tony Flanders
Ask AS&T
• Why do certain craters look "upside down"?
• Why do some binoculars need special coatings?
• Did the outbursts of Eta Carinae produce light echoes?
Discoveries
The Big Bang Afterglow
By David Ellyard
Activities
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Australia: Lost in Space?
By Jonathan Nally
Letters
• My Beautiful Scope
• A Telling Picture
and more...
Subscription Offer
FREE DVD! See our offer
Data Pages
Focal Point
Death of a Streetlight
By Dale E. Lehman
Index to Advertisers