Astronomy

The world's best-selling astronomy magazine offers you the most exciting, visually stunning, and timely coverage of the heavens above. Each monthly issue includes expert science reporting, vivid color photography, complete sky coverage, spot-on observing tips, informative telescope reviews, and much more! All this in a user-friendly style that's perfect for astronomers at any level.

It’s elemental

Astronomy

ASTRO LETTERS

A WISPY TREASURE • This small, faint galaxy sparkles with stars.

HOT BYTES

SCIENTISTS READ THE SUN’S HISTORY FROM MOON ROCKS • Lunar samples reveal our young star was a slower-than-average rotator, but its outbursts still shaped the early solar system.

CASSINI DIVISION DETAILS

QUICK TAKES

Milky Way still bears scars • The dwarf Antlia 2 may have caused strange ripples in our galaxy’s outer disk.

SMALL GALAXY, BIG BLACK HOLE

HOW CUBESATS STACK UP

Insight uncovers the mole

Cold quasars are a new stage of galaxy evolution

Astronomy groups concerned about Starlink satellites

The media’s universe • How do we popularize astronomy responsibly?

DIGGING DEEP INTO MARS • Although dozens of spacecraft have explored Mars’ surface, InSight is the first to target the planet’s interior.

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Explore Ceres’ icy secrets • Take a trip to the dwarf planet where minerals and water blanket the surface, flung there by volcanoes that spew ice.

SKY THIS MONTH • THE SOLAR SYSTEM’S CHANGING LANDSCAPE AS IT APPEARS IN EARTH’S SKY.

RISING MOON • Stalking death in the Moon’s far north

METEOR WATCH • The Hunter battles a waning Moon

STAR DOME

COMET SEARCH • Swimming with the Fish

LOCATING ASTEROIDS • A rocky world traverses the celestial sea

Hidden treats in the GOLDEN TRIANGLE • Three double stars trace the border of this celestial wonder, which harbors a treasure-trove of beautiful targets.

Observe the deep SOUTHERN SKY • A trip to Costa Rica can deliver the lifelong dreams of a night sky you have to see to believe.

2020: JOIN US IN COSTA RICA!

Observe the ice giants • Cross Uranus and Neptune off your bucket list this month — and then go for their moons.

Our ninth annual STAR PRODUCTS • For the ninth time, Astronomy’s editors have searched the marketplace for new, unique, and exciting telescopes, eyepieces, and other equipment designed to help all of us enjoy our hobby a little more. Arranged alphabetically, here are the best of the best: Our 2019 Star Products.

The propeller’s mysterious move • Starlight can play tricks on a dark figure in Hercules.

A night dedicated to the Moon • Prepare yourself by brushing up on your lunar trivia.

WANDERING POLES • Astronomy’s experts from around the globe answer your cosmic questions.

Cosmic portraits

WORTHY OF A KING’S RANSOM

December 2019 Say farewell to the gas giants

STAR DOME