February 2005
Volume 1. Number 2
COVER STORY
Heavenly Fire
When a blast of charged particles from the Sun struck the Earth, the sky came alive.
By Stephen Voss and Bob Evans
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• Uranus Kicks Up a Storm
• Pressing Toward the Cosmic Dawn
• The Kernel of a Star Stripped Bare
and more...
Spotlight On...A Study in Contrasts
There's a story behind this stunning image of paired open star clusters in Gemini.
By Sue French
Astronomy On Ice
Australian astronomers have proposed building a new telescope at one of the coldest spots on Earth.
By Michael Burton
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey: 7,000 Square Degrees, 700,000 Spectra, and Counting
An unassuming 2.5-metre reflector is quietly rewriting the textbooks on asteroids, quasars, and everything in between.
By Michael A. Strauss and Gillian R. Knapp
The Universe in the Mirror
The giant telescope, born at the dawn of the 20th century, brought with it a scientific revolution.
By Alan W. Hirshfield
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Exploring the Moon
In and Around Imbrium
By Charles A. Wood
Southern Binocular Highlight
Colourful Cluster NGC 2451
By Les Dalrymple
Tonight's Sky
The Distant Night Sky
By Greg Bryant
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Giant Planets Rule the Night
By Jonathan Nally and Roger W. Sinnott
Exploring the Moon
Floor-Fractured Craters
By Charles A. Wood
Deep Sky Delights
Peering Deep Into Puppis
By David Frew
Celestial Calendar
A Quiet Time for Comets
By David Seargent
First Light: For Beginners
Sailing the Lunar Seas
By Andrew Chaikin
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
AS&T Test Report
Hydrogen-Alpha Viewing On A Budget
We test Coronado's Personal Solar Telescope, which promises to bring hydrogen-alpha solar observing to the masses.
By Sean Walker
Books & Beyond
• Guides to the Stars and Moon
• Soulful Star Traveller
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
Profile
The Father of NZ Astronomy.
By Marilyn Head
The Astronomy Scene
The VicSouth Star Party
By Perry Vlahos
Hobby Q&A
• Can February have no full Moon?
• When should I re-aluminise my mirror?
• Would a lunar far-side dweller know the Earth exists?
• What was that mystery cloud I saw?
Activities
• Workshops for teachers
• Learn star lore
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
The Telescope
By Jonathan Nally
Letters
AS&T readers have their say
Mission Update
By Jonathan McDowell
Focal Point
Enquiring Minds
By Tanya Hill
Index to Advertisers