Sky & Telescope March 2009

FEATURED ARTICLES

Exoplanets Imaged at Last
Two teams of astronomers have finally achieved one of astronomy's holy grails.
By Robert Naeye

Solar Impact
Variations in the Sun's output influence Earth's climate in ways scientists are still trying to discern.
By Kristina Grifantini

Mercury Gets a Second Look
The Messenger spacecraft's return visit to the "iron planet" both satisfies and tantalizes.
By J. Kelly Beatty

BEYOND THE PRINTED PAGE

The Sun-Earth Connection
S&T Editor in Chief Robert Naeye interviews a leading authority on the Sun-Earth connection.
By

The Planet Hunters
Robert Naeye interviews the leaders of the two teams that finally achieved the long-standing goal of imaging planets around other stars.
By

What's a Planet?
Columnist David Grinspoon further discusses the finer points of the controversial matter of defining a "planet."
By

Astronomy and Abraham Lincoln
Download two articles that detail how the life of the United States's 16th president was punctuated with astronomical awareness.
By

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

S&T Test Report
TMB-92 Signature Series Refractor
By Alan Dyer

Lucky Deep-Sky Imaging
By combining techniques for deep-sky and planetary imaging, amateurs are pushing the resolution envelope.
By Ricardo Serpell & Daniel Verschatse

Celestial Calendar
Venus at Its 8-Year Best
By Tony Flanders

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