January 2009
Volume 5. Number 1. Issue 34
COVER STORY
Titan: Earth in Deep Freeze
Saturn's largest moon has remarkably Earth-like mountains, lakes, and dunes - yet their composition couldn't be more different..
By Jason Barnes
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• The First Extrasolar Planet Images
• Hubble Repair Delayed
• The End of Phoenix
and more...
Mission Update
By Jonathan McDowell
Messenger's Return to Mercury
Highlights of the Messenger spacecraft's 2nd flyby of Mercury.
Spotlight On...A Galaxy's Evolution
Our neighbouring galaxy remains a work in progress..
By Mario Mateo
Insight
Ten things you may not know about Orion, NASA's forthcoming spacecraft.
The Year to Celebrate Astronomy
We aim to inspire the world to reflect upon and participate in astronomy throughout 2009. And you can help.
By Catherine Cesarsky, Pedro Russo, and Lars Lindberg Christensen
Top 10 Stories of 2008
From low-Earth orbit and our nearest neighbours to halfway across the known Universe, 2008 was an incredible year for astronomy and space exploration.
By Greg Bryant
The Great Total Eclipse of 2009
The century's longest solar eclipse sweeps across China and the Pacific next July 22nd.
By Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson
Discoveries
How Far to the Stars?
By David Ellyard
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
New Product Spotlight
• Tele Vue's Ethos eyepieces
• Lunt's Hydrogen-Alpha telescope
Books & Beyond
• Observatory Fever
• The Thrill of Discovery
...and more
AS&T Test Report
Return of the 5-inch Celestron
Celestron's venerable 5-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain rides again, with a new mount and livery.
By Adrian R. Ashford
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Binocular Highlight
Aristotle's Cluster
By Les Dalrymple
Tonight's Sky
A Bullish Feast
By Greg Bryant
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Summer's Evenstar
By Greg Bryant
Celestial Calendar
• Australia Day Annular Eclipse
• A Southern Opposition of Pallas
Celestial Calendar
The Northern End of the Bow from Down South
By Steve Kerr
Celestial Calendar
Comet Lulin Brightens
By David Seargent
Exploring The Moon
What the Astronauts Saw
By Charles A. Wood
Suburban Star-Hop
Aries and Beyond
By Ken Hewitt-White
Science Spotlight: The Great Orion Nebula
This star-studded pool of misty light may harbour solar systems in the making.
By Ken Hewitt-White
Deep Sky Delights
Much ado about the Horsehead
By Les Dalrymple
Targets
Cruising down the River
By Sue French
Double Star Notes
Some Doubles in Orion
By Ross Gould
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
Border Stargaze 2008
By David Chandler
Club Profile
Gisborne Astronomical Society
By John Drummond
Community News
Astronomy Online
Gallery Hopping
By Stuart J. Goldman
Telescope Workshop
The Hollimon Secondary Holder
By Gary Seronik
Gallery
Ask AS&T
• Planets of a Different Realm
• Naked-Eye Star Counts
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Happy IYA
By Greg Bryant
Subscription Offer
Subscribe and receive a free Hubble DVD! See our offer
Manufacturer & Dealer Directory
Focal Point
Misinterpreting the Magi
By Michael R. Molnar
Index to Advertisers