September/October 2006

Volume 2. Number 7. Issue 19

COVER STORY

Flying on Mars

The next generation of Mars probes won't be stuck on the ground or in orbit - they'll be taking to the skies.

By Jonathan Nally

NEWS & FEATURES

News Notes

• Spots Before our Eyes

• Black Hole Puzzle Solved

• Planets Made Of Diamonds?

and more...

Mission Accomplished

The Space Shuttle Discovery's near-perfect mission has paved the way for a resumption of space construction.

Gemini's Aussie Eyes

A telescope is nothing without its instruments, and Aussie ingenuity is helping one of the world's biggest excel.

The Falcon's Rocky Flight

Lost engines, radio blackouts and dead batteries couldn't stop this space probe.

By J. Kelly Beatty

Stars 101

They may seem like mere pinpoints of light, but stars come in a huge variety of sizes, ages and colours.

By Joseph V. Maugeri

On the Edge

Some galaxies are at their most beautiful and intriguing when seen from side-on.

By Jonathan Nally

The Equinox and the Egg

Can you really balance an egg on end on the day of the spring Equinox? Yes you can - but so what?

By Phil Plait

OBSERVING & EXPLORING

Southern Binocular Highlight

M55 High in Sagittarius

By Les Dalrymple

Sun, Moon, and Planets

By the Dark of the Moon

By Jonathan Nally

Tonight's Sky

Springtime Sights of Pavo

By Greg Bryant

Comets

Aussie Comets

By David Seargent

Occultations

Spica and Antares in the Spring

By Steve Kerr

Meteors

The Streams of Spring

By Adam Marsh

Exploring the Moon

The Moon's Mystery Rilles

By Charles A. Wood

Target

The Swan Nebula

By Ken Hewitt-White

PRODUCTS & REVIEWS

AS&T Test Report

Meade's DSI II CCD cameras

Improved models make it even easier to take astrophotos.

By Johnny Horne

Books & Beyond

• Photoshop for Astronomers

and more...

ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE

In Pluto's Shadow

An eclipse on the edge of the Solar System

By Greg Bryant

The Astronomy Scene

Double vision during a solar eclipse

By Ralph Paramor

First Light: For Beginners

How to observe the full Moon

By Andrew Chaikin

Astrophotography

Use your video camera to take astrophotos

By Steve Massey

Ask AS&T

• Are there cities and temples on the Moon?

• Will the Earth and Moon ever face each other?

• Converting an SCT scope to a refractor?

Discoveries

Expanding Horizons

By David Ellyard

Activities

Gallery

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Spectrum

Going 'round in circles

By Jonathan Nally

Letters

• Chance alignment

• Why not in our backyard?

and more...

Shot In The Dark

The Eye of God

By Mike Sidonio

Subscription Offer

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Data Pages

Focal Point

Steamy Tropical Nights

By Ray Johnston

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