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Tools of the Trade: Cassini's Saturn, LIGO's Detections, and Keeping Observing Logs

Tools both advanced and simple are crucial to astronomy. Cassini spent thirteen years imaging and collecting other data at Saturn — see some of the stunning photos. LIGO is so technologically impressive that it can detect a change in length of one part in one thousand billion billion. An amateur's observing log helps hone their own observational skills and can provide important data for cosmological events. Learn about the results of a search for advanced ET, explore the ethics of astrophotography, discover an amateur astronomer's solution to creating the perfect observing stool, and more, in the September 2017 issue of Sky & Telescope.

Feature Articles

Cassini Grand Finale
An artist's conception of Cassini plunging through the gap between Saturn and its rings. NASA/JPL

Worlds of Wonder
With its 13-year stint at Saturn coming to a dramatic end, NASA's Cassini orbiter leaves a legacy of unparalleled beauty and scientific discovery.
By Luke Dones

Three Cosmic Chirps & Counting...
From the first discovery to subsequent finds, gravitational-wave signals from the universe's most exotic objects are transforming physics and astronomy.
By Vicky Kalogera

Keeping Track of the Night
An experienced observer describes the benefits and pleasures of keeping an astrojournal
By Bob King

Searching a Trillion Stars for ET
How I helped shrink the possibility that really advanced aliens are broadcasting far and wide.
By Robert H. Gray

Ethics in Astrophotography
Seeing isn't always believing in the digital age.
By Jerry Lodriguss

Beyond the Printed Page

An artist's concept of the TRAPPIST-1 system seen from one of its seven known planets, several of which lie within the star's habitable zone.
ESO / N. Bartmann /spaceengine.org

Mini-Flares Might Threaten Life Around Red Dwarf Stars
A new study of data archived from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft is revealing just how hard life might be on exoplanets like those in the TRAPPIST-1 system.

TRAPPIST-1h Is Real
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of the seventh planet around the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1.

Tabby's Star Dims on Cue
Tabby's star, otherwise known as KIC 8462852, dimmed drastically in brightness, giving astronomers an opportunity to figure out what has been causing this star's weird behavior.

Lunar Librations and Phases of the Moon
Librations and other lunar data for September 2017.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Diamond Ring
Dennis di Cicco

Diamond of Three Rings
A total solar eclipse offers the most spectacular of jewels.
By Fred Schaaf

Help Verify a Giant Ringed Exoplanet
For about 25 days in September, its ring system should cross an easily watched star.
By Alan MacRobert

The Enduring Mystery of Luna 2
Amateur observers claimed to see its impact— but no trace of the crash site has ever been found.
By Thomas A. Dobbins

Showpiece Doubles
Point your telescope toward these gems of the late-summer sky.
By Sue French

Table of Contents
See what else September's issue has to offer.

Comments


Image of RobertFoulks

RobertFoulks

August 11, 2017 at 4:56 pm

I haven't received my September 2017 issue. This is the third time this year I haven't received an issue. I don't seem to have a problem with other publications. Can you help?

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Image of Janine Myszka

Janine Myszka

August 14, 2017 at 9:04 am

Hello Mr. Foulks,

I'm so sorry you have not received your issue - we'll do everything we can to help you. Please email [email protected] and we'll get everything sorted out.

Best,
Janine

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