Inside the January 2023 Issue

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A Wave of Celestial Delights, Destructive Stars, and Georgia O’Keeffe

In the January 2023 issue of Sky & Telescope, we’re tracing the Milky Way’s Radcliffe Wave using its most interesting observing targets. We better hurry if we want to explore the whole wave, though. Time waits for no man — or star. In this issue, we also take a look at what happens when stars age. As they sometimes destroy or even devour their exoplanets, that, in turn, can alter the stars themselves. And while we may not be able to see these distant exoplanets from our backyards, our guide can help you pick out the best planetary telescope to watch the planets circling our own Sun. Finally, we’ve got another art mystery to uncover: Georgia O’Keeffe, who is best known for her paintings of enlarged flowers and animal skulls, also painted scenes of New York at night. But the skyline has changed quite a bit since she painted, and while history remembers her first painting of New York as a scene from 47th street, our celestial sleuth isn’t so sure.

FEATURE ARTICLES:

Aging Ungracefully

As stars grow older, they and their planets can affect each other in strange and violent ways.

By Melinda Soares-Furtado & Sarah Kubiak

The Neverending Survey

The decades-long Sloan Digital Sky Survey project has transformed how astronomers do astronomy.  

By Karen Masters

Riding the Radcliffe Wave

Trace targets along this newly discovered structure in the Milky Way.

By Brian Ventrudo

The Night Skies of Georgia O’Keeffe

This famed artist often included astronomical subjects in her remarkably distinctive works.

By Donald W. Olson

What Makes a Good Planetary Telescope?

The best optic for resolving fine detail has changed over time.  

By Thomas A. Dobbins

Beyond the Printed Page:

DART

See the results from the Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey

Find out how SDSS is working towards making astronomy accessible to all.

Zooniverse

Participate in ongoing astronomy research with just your computer.

Lunar Occultations

Find out when the next lunar occultation is visible from your area.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

The Hare and the Dove

Two small constellations are nearly overshadowed by their brilliant neighbor.

By Fred Schaaf

Comet ZTF Flies High and Bright

A comet with naked-eye potential dashes across the sky as it swings past Earth.

By Bob King

Observing on the Edge

January offers a rare opportunity to glimpse one of the Moon’s most challenging features.

By Thomas A. Dobbins

Sword Scene

Delineating the Sword of Orion are treasures both magnificent and subtle

By Ken Hewitt-White

Table of Contents

See what else January’s issue has to offer.