Inside the March 2020 Issue

By: The Editors of Sky & Telescope February 6, 2020 0

Starlinks May Outnumber the Stars, Our Galaxy's Tumultuous Past, and a History of Explorer and Astronomer Captain Cook

In March’s issue of Sky & Telescope, News Editor Monica Young covers the controversy and the facts on planned megaconstellations, which will put tens of thousands of satellites into the low-Earth orbit. The effects on rural stargazers and research astronomy could be profound. Step from controversy to history with S&T's Tony Flanders' take on the Argo Navis constellation. Only pieces of it survive today, but they're worth exploring. Another explorer, Captain James Cook, used astronomy to navigate our planet. Ted Rafferty details how astronomy was integral to Cook’s career. But while Cook freely traveled the world with his equipment, today we have to deal with a lot of red tape. Before you plan your next trip through customs, read Dave Dickinson’s guide to making sure your scope makes it past the boarder. Speaking of travel, if you’re planning to jump aboard an upcoming eclipse tour and want to document your unbelievable experience with totality, read Sean Walker’s guide to capturing stunning solar coronas in HDR.

Feature Articles

An arm to the sun — In this conceptual view, each Starlink satellite unfurls a single solar panel.
*SpaceX*

The New Space Race
Throngs of satellites being launched into low-Earth orbit could affect everyone from backyard stargazers to professional astronomers.
By Monica Young

Constellation Close-up: Argo Navis
This ancient formation survives only in fragmentary form.
By Tony Flanders

Torrents of the Milky Way
Gaia spacecraft data are unveiling the Milky Way’s tumultuous past.
By Shannon Hall

Captain Cook’s Astronomy
The celebrated explorer was also a remarkably proficient and prolific astronomer.
By Ted Rafferty

Getting Your Scope Through Customs
Plan a successful observing or astrophotography trip to a far-flung corner of the world.
By David Dickinson

Beyond the Printed Page

"The Great American Eclipse" — This image combines many exposures of different durations taken to reveal aspects of the widely-viewed total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017.
*ESO / P. Horálek / Solar Wind Sherpas project*

Automated Eclipse Technology
Check out the latest technology in eclipse astrophotography.

What Countries Allow Through Customs (or not)
Make sure to look at the TSA’s list of what you’re allowed to import and export for each country before you plan your next observing or astrophotography trip.

Astronomy Clubs at Home and Abroad
See our list of astronomy clubs from around the world.

Here’s Where to Store Your Spectral Data
A new database from the American Association of Variable Star Observers enables astronomers to store spectra of any variable object in the sky.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Ultraviolet image of Venus taken by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter
*NASA*

Memories and Inspiration
An awesome spring 50 years ago sparks new observing plans.
By Fred Schaaf

Starts with Z
Find a dark spot away from city lights and look toward the western horizon after sunset to see a pillar of ethereal light.
By Bob King

Lampland’s Hot Glimpse of Venus
Early infrared measurements hinted at the planet’s hellish surface conditions.
By William Sheehan

The Twins of Jove
Westernmost Gemini harbors a great variety of nebulae and clusters.
By Sue French

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