SUNSET: 
The Whirlpool's Supernova Surprises
German amateur astronomers Werner Klug and Hermann von Eiff captured SN 2005cs (arrowed) on July 9th, a little more than a week after its discovery. The supernova flared in the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).Courtesy Werner Klug and Hermann von Eiff. On June 28th, German amateur Wolfgang Kloehr discovered a 14th-magnitude supernova…
Proto-Sunshine at Work
Sulfur compounds in ancient meteorites hold clues to our solar system's fiery birth.
Table Mountain Star Party: 25 Years and Going Strong
Some 700 amateur astronomers from around the world enjoyed a solid week of blue-sky days and starlight nights at this year's Table Mountain Star Party.
An Asteroid with Two Moons
An artist depicts 87 Sylvia and its two known moons. The main-belt asteroid is the first minor planet known to possess two satellites. The exact shapes of the three bodies are unknown, but 87 Sylvia is elongated.Courtesy European Southern Observatory. When NASA's Galileo spacecraft flew by the asteroid 243 Ida…
Japanese Space Observatory Suffers Loss
The Japanese/American Suzaku X-ray observatory has lost the use of its flagship instrument.
Closing In on Gamma-Ray Bursts
This illustration shows two neutron stars spiraling toward each other. When the two compact objects merge, they form a black hole. According to theory, two short-lived jets shoot away from the black hole, generating a short gamma-ray burst.Courtesy NASA. Thanks to the Swift and HETE-2 satellites, astronomers have just gotten…
Mars at Its All-Time Finest
Never before in human history has such a golden opportunity to observe the red planet presented itself, so make the most of it with our Mars observing guide for 2003.
Celestial Highlights for 2005
Eclipses, conjunctions, and occultations will keep observers worldwide busy during the upcoming year. Here's a summary of what's in store.
The Survivor Planet
A deep image of the Gliese 86 system taken at the Very Large Telescope in Chile reveals a faint white dwarf (left) about 21 astronomical units from the overexposed primary star (right). A planet orbits the primary, which proves that planets can survive a nearby star's evolution through the red-giant…
Astronomers Discover Large Binary Kuiper Belt Object
Two groups of astronomers have discovered a large Kuiper Belt object that has its own little moon.
Three "Down Under" Occultations of Jupiter
The southwestern corner of Australia catches three occultations of Jupiter during the first three months of 2005.
The Martian Moons in 2007–08
If you've never spied Mars's two satellites, Phobos and Deimos, the end of 2007 is your best chance for a long time. You'll need a big telescope — and you'll need to know exactly where to look.
Amateur Team Discovers a Record 100 Supernovae
A team of volunteer amateur astronomers from five countries, has made its 100th supernova discovery.
Astro Image in the News:
Frozen Wasteland
On July 14th the Cassini orbiter made its closest pass yet of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus.
Astro News Briefs: July 11–17
2005 Astronomy Day Award Winners July 12, 2005 | The Cradle of Aviation Museum was chosen by the Astronomical League as the top winner for this year's Sky & Telescope Astronomy Day Award. The annual prize consists of a commemorative plaque and a $250 gift certificate from Sky Publishing. Based…
Uranus and Neptune in 2005
From now to year's end, our finder charts will help you locate Uranus (in Aquarius), Neptune (in Capricornus), and Pluto (in Ophiuchus).
The July 17–18 Occultation of Antares
Watch the gibbous Moon cover the bright star Antares on Sunday night — if you're in the right place!
Triple-Star Planet
Artist Robert Hurt depicts the Jupiter-mass planet (upper left) in the HD 188753 system as seen from a hypothetical moon. The planet orbits the bright, yellow star that is setting behind the distant peaks on the right. Two companion stars, which form a tight binary in the far background, lie…
