Australian Sky & Telescope

Australian Sky & Telescope is a world-class magazine about the science and hobby of astronomy.  Combining the formidable worldwide resources of its venerable parent magazine with the talents of the best science writers and photographers in Australia, Australian Sky & Telescope is a magazine produced specifically for the Southern Hemisphere’s astronomers.

Red Planet reminiscences

Australian Sky & Telescope

NEWS NOTES

The Sun and its element • Helium was detected on the Sun almost 30 years before it was found on Earth.

The hunt for the first exomoons • A handful of scientists are attempting to discover the first moons outside our Solar System — a finding that would be transformative, yet remains elusive.

Io the volcani Rosetta Stone • Giant eruptions and vast lava fields cover Jupiter’s tempestuous inner moon.

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Three missions head for MARS • This year three spacecraft will launch toward the Red Planet, each one with distinct objectives.

EXOMARS: A MISSION DELAYED

Tourist’s guide to the Milky Way • Roam the night skies and revel in this collection of fine objects in and around Sagittarius.

USING THE STAR CHART

Gathering dust

Deep sky treasures of Ophiuchus • This sprawling constellation is full of interesting sights.

VISTAS

Mars displays its mastery • It’s prime time viewing as the Red Planet reaches opposition.

SKY PHENOMENA

LUNAR PHENOMENA

Two classic showers • See the Southern Taurids and Orionids

Comets coming in from the cold • There are several comets old and new to see this spring.

Luminous, blue and variable • P Cygni is 610,000 times brighter than the Sun.

The Moon’s biggest cold spot • This popular lunar region hides an enduring mystery.

The Ring and I • This well-known northern nebula is a favourite deep sky target for beginners and veterans alike.

Voyaging to Neptune • The most distant planet is at opposition in September.

Action at Jupiter

2020 Mars observing guide • The Red Planet won’t be as good as this again until 2035.

RED PLANET RESOURCES

CATCH a moving comet • Photographing these icy visitors often requires a special approach.

Not from around here • NASA’s rovers have found meteorites on Mars that came from elsewhere. What secrets do they hold about Martian history and climate?

Celestron’s StarSense Explorer 102 • Introducing a revolutionary new approach to finding your way around the sky.

Finder finders • Here’s a wide-field helper that points you in the right direction.

Darkness is growing… • There’s lots of good news on the light pollution front.

Perry Vlahos

Astrophotos from our readers

Lunar influence • Memories of an eclipse witnessed at age 10 inspire a return to science decades later.