April 2005
Volume 1. Number 4
COVER STORY
Supermassive Black Holes: Shaping Their Surroundings
Monster black holes don't just swallow matter without a trace - they sculpt the galaxies and galaxy clusters in which they live.
By M. Coleman Miller, Christopher S. Reynolds, and Anita Krishnamurthi
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• Saturn's Two-Faced Moon
• Asteroid Wake-Up Call
• A Swarm of Black Holes
and more...
Spotlight On...A Flaming Runaway Star
An interloper in Auriga is shedding light on its surroundings.
By Edwin L. Aguirre
The Future of Australian Astronomy
Australian astronomers are undertaking a major review of where their science is heading in the 21st century.
By Michael Burton
Perth Observatory
Australia's sole remaining state-run observatory is going strong.
By Peter Birch
Cosmic Coincidences
Total solar eclipses happen for only a short period in Earth's history.
By Phil Plait
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Binocular Highlight
An Overlooked Gem
By Les Dalrymple
Tonight's Sky
A First-Class Night
By Greg Bryant
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Jupiter at Its Annual Best
By Jonathan Nally
Exploring the Moon
Basins of the Southwestern Limb
By Charles A. Wood
Deep Sky Delights
The Eta Carinae Region
By David Frew
Celestial Calendar
Asteroid and Planet Occultations
By Steve Kerr
Celestial Calendar
A Variety of Comets
By David Seargent
Observer's Log
The Challenge of Mercury
By Steve Massey
Celestial Calendar
April's Lunar Eclipse
By Martin George
Celestial Calendar
Pallas in the Realm of the Galaxies
By Alan MacRobert
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
AS&T Test Report
Just Jupiter
Keep track of Jupiter's Galilean satellites and the Great Red Spot with JupSat Pro.
By David Ratledge
Buyer's Guide
90mm Astronomical Maksutovs
By Gary Seronik
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
First Light: For Beginners
Tune Up Your Telescope
By Michael Portuesi
Hobby Q&A
• Do light-years measure distance now, or when the light was emitted?
• Dd the Sumatra earthquake alter Earth's rotation?
• When the 1 1/4-inch eyepiece standard?
and more...
The Astronomy Scene
Victoria's Star-B-Cue
By Perry Vlahos
Activities
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Big Decisions
By Jonathan Nally
Letters
• The Lights Are On...
• Feedback on AS&T
• Colliding Ideas
Mission Update
By Jonathan McDowell
Subscription Offer
Focal Point
Astronomical Pride
By Jeff Stanger
Index to Advertisers