May/June 2007
Volume 3. Number 3. Issue 23
COVER STORY
McNaught's Passing Fancy
How could Comet McNaught create a stunning tail tens of millions of kilometres long?
By J. Kelly Beatty and Greg Bryant
Experiencing Comet McNaught
The comet's discoverer explains how it all came about.
By Robert McNaught
Gallery - McNaught's Wonderful Display
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• Superduper Supernova
• The Cosmic Axis of Evil
• A Naked-Eye Nova in Scorpius
and more...
Spotlight On...The Blue Witch
The Witch Head Nebula shines by reflected glory, thanks to its proximity to one of the sky's brightest stars.
By Ken Croswell
Planetary Nebulae At Home And Abroad...An Australian Adventure!
A local survey is opening up a new window on planetary nebulae.
By Quentin Parker
Global Surveyor's Last Hurrah
New images show what appear to be recent water flows and fresh craters on Mars.
By Andrew Chaikin
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Southern Binocular Highlights
A Gem of a Cluster
By Les Dalrymple
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Jupiter Reaches Opposition
By Greg Bryant
Tonight's Sky
Our Nearest Stellar Neighbours
By Greg Bryant
Deep Sky Delights
Pointer Pairings
By Les Dalrymple
Exploring The Moon
Mysterious Maria
By Charles A. Wood
Celestial Calendar
Explore The Lunar Terminator
By Andrew Chaikin
A McNaught Perspective
By David Seargent
Two Occultations Of Antares
By Steve Kerr
See Some Winter Meteors
By Adam Marsh
A Very Favourable Vesta Opposition
By Greg Bryant
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Test Report
Two New Apos From The Same Tree
Rapidly earning a reputation for quality optics at reasonable prices, William Optics adds two new scopes to its refractor lineup.
By Alan Dyer and Sean Walker
Test Report
Smarter Observing with Deep-Sky Planner 4
This software can help you organise and log our observations.
By David Rutledge
Books & Beyond
• The Moon Dance
• Of Once And Future Planets
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
Ask AS&T
• Lost In Time
• From A Galaxy Far, Far Away
• Global Warming
and more...
The Astronomy Scene
IceInSpace AstroCamp 2007
By Mike Salway
Discoveries
The Belts Of Van Allen
By David Ellyard
Activities
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Show Them The Universe
By Greg Bryant
Letters
• Star Names
• Comets and Poachers
and more...
Subscription Offer
FREE Comet McNaught Poster! See our offer
Focal Point
A Lesson In What We Don't Know
By Ben Shaberman
Index to Advertisers