The cover of the January 2026 issue of Sky & Telescope features a rocket launching into the sky and says The New Lunar Economy
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The Lunar Economy, Enhanced Galaxy Images, and Neutron Stars

In the January 2026 issue of Sky & Telescope, we’re checking on the landers and rovers heading to the Moon as part of commercial lunar missions. We then look at some stunning reflection nebulae from Sidney van den Bergh’s catalog and a nebula E. E. Barnard discovered that turned out not to be a nebula at all. After that, we dive into the inner workings of neutron stars to find out what the densest matter in the universe is made of. Also in this issue, we’ll be snapping pictures of galaxies with both color and narrowband data.

FEATURE ARTICLES:

Exploring Sidney van den Bergh’s Reflection Nebulae

Discover a catalog that offers a plethora of visual and photographic targets.

By Scott Harrington

E. E. Barnard and the Nebula That Wasn’t

In 1891 a nova in Auriga began a long-standing observing mystery.

By William Sheehan

Enhancing Galaxy Images with Continuum Subtraction

Here’s a great way to add narrowband data to your color photos of star-forming regions outside the Milky Way.

By Ron Brecher

Fly Me to the Moon

National governments are ceding their monopoly over lunar exploration and inviting commercial enterprises to partner with them.

By Jim Bell

Journey into Neutron Stars

Precise new measurements of collapsed stellar cores provide a window into the strange stuff they’re made of.

By Kai Hebeler, Achim Schwenk, & Anna Watts

Beyond the Printed Page:

Soft Light Houston

Help combat bad lighting.

Photographer of the Year

See the images that won the 2025 Astronomy Photographer of the Year award.

Gravitational Waves

Learn about the latest gravitational-wave detection.

Amateur Affiliate Membership

Join the American Astronomical Society as an amateur astronomer.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Hitch a Wagon to the Stars

Join us on a celestial carriage ride around the northern sky.

By Stephen James O’Meara

Jupiter Rules!

The solar system’s most telescopically rewarding planet is at its best for 2026

By Bob King

Seeing the Invisible

Here’s how one astronomer managed to observe the solar system in ultraviolet light.

By Thomas A. Dobbins

A Bang and a Whimper

Observing these winter targets in and around the Pleiades is an exercise in extreme contrast.

By Ken Hewitt-White

Table of Contents

See what else January’s issue has to offer.

Comments


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J Raymond

January 18, 2026 at 3:49 pm

Do I already have auto renewal?

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Monica Young

January 20, 2026 at 10:03 am

Please contact [email protected] with any subscription questions, they'll best be able to help you!

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