Inside the October 2022 Issue

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Emission Nebulae, Star Huggers, and Jupiter’s Icy Moons

In the October 2022 issue of Sky & Telescope, we present three astronomical mysteries. First, astronomers have discovered an assortment of gas giants too close to their stars for comfort — and they want to know how these hot Jupiters ended up hugging their stars. In a puzzle closer to home, if you had told someone 150 years ago that Jupiter's moons were icy, they probably would have waved you off with a chuckle. So our authors are asking the question: Why did it take astronomers so long to figure this out? Our final mystery in this issue centers on Mars and an expedition undertaken by several of our editors and authors, members of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and a NASA scientist. After amateur and professional astronomers first reported flares of light on Mars, planetary observers predicted when they might appear next. Turns out, even though most of the U.S. was under clouds, the pro-am expedition not only saw the flares but recorded them for future study. Our next chance to see them? This December.

FEATURE ARTICLES:

Keep Your Distance

How far away are the objects we observe in the universe?

By Govert Schilling

Observing the Finest Emission Nebulae

The curated selection includes some of the most striking targets the night sky has to offer.

By Alan Whitman

Star Huggers

Astronomers have found a baffling variety of gas giants in close orbits around their host stars.

By Rebekah I. Dawson

Slipping on Jupiter’s Icy Moons

Uncovering the nature of three Jovian satellites took some curios twists and turns.

By Guy Consolmagno & Christopher M. Graney

Martian Flares Redux

Observers have a chance to see a rare phenomenon for the second time this century.  

By Thomas A. Dobbins & William Sheehan

Beyond the Printed Page:

Wild Winds on Mars

Watch videos of dust devils on Mars captured by NASA’s Perseverance rover.

The Gaia Revolution

Learn what the latest data release from the ESA’s Gaia mission means for the astronomical community.

Occultation of Uranus

See when Uranus will disappear and reappear in your area.

Vatican Observatory

Check out the Vatican Observatory’s website to learn more about the history of astronomy.  

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Autumn’s Lonely Southern Beacon

Solitary Fomalhaut shares connections with several bright stars.

By Fred Schaaf

Meteors Brighten October Skies

Fill your Halloween bag with luminous treats from two displays.

By Bob King

Within Ancient Thebit

The Straight Wall isn’t a single, continuous feature.

By Charles A. Wood

Beyond Your Camera’s Kit Lens

Go wide or go deep — the sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing a second lens.

By Tony Puerzer

Table of Contents

See what else October’s issue has to offer.