About Astronomy Now Astronomy Now magazine is the UK's longest standing astronomy magazine, providing a monthly source of information for amateur and professional astronomers alike. Features A wide range of feature articles cover subjects such as observing, cosmology, the history of astronomy and space science. Focus articles A series of articles each month takes an in-depth look at specific areas of astronomy and space science.

Regulars Each month, Astronomy Now includes a detailed section on the night sky, an extensive news section, readers' astronomical images, book reviews and advice for beginners and seasoned astronomers alike. If you are interested in writing for Astronomy Now please download our Writers' Guide for more information.

February 2012 BUY ONLINE NOW!

The Moon

This month we're heading back to the Moon, scouring its surface with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter that is providing the highest resolution images of our nearest neighbour yet, with valuable insight from lunar expert and AstroFest speaker Noah Petro. We also review the formation processes that have been considered to explain the presence of our Moon, from a long-dismissed theory that the Moon was spun off from our fast-spinning young Earth to the more widely accepted view that it was born from a cataclysmic collision between a Mars-sized object and the still-growing Earth. Finally, we discover what the geology was like at each of the six landing sites of the Apollo missions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and find that we have barely scratched the surface of even the most visited object in the Solar System.

Features

• Taking the next steps after Stargazing Live • Postcards from deep space • Dinnertime for black holes • A window on the sky

Taking the next steps after Stargazing Live
You've been hooked by the BBC's Stargazing Live - what next? We highlight some of the avenues down which you could pursue your newfound hobby of astronomy.

Postcards from deep space
Keith Cooper presents the latest vistas from interstellar and interplanetary space, courtesy of some of the world's biggest telescopes.

Dinnertime for black holes
Quasars are born from supermassive black holes hungrily munching on gas at the hearts of galaxies, but what processes drive the gas into the black holes in the first place? Keith Cooper finds out.

A window on the sky
Martin Mobberley proves that observing from indoors is possible and recounts how some of our greatest amateurs made their discoveries doing just that.

Regulars

• News Update • Your Views • Key Moments • Drawn to the Universe • The Night Sky • In the Shops • Tech Talk • Astrolistings • Ask Alan • Picture Gallery • Classifieds • Gearheads • Starting from Scratch • Talking Point • Grassroots astronomy •

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See for yourself Download a free PDF version of the January 2011 issue of Astronomy Now. (20 MB file)

Missed out? The January 2012 issue of Astronomy Now, along with all other back issues, is available to buy from our online store

The Planets
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, The Planets profiles each of the Solar System's members in depth, featuring the latest imagery from space missions. The tallest mountains, the deepest canyons, the strongest winds, raging atmospheric storms, terrain studded with craters and vast worlds of ice are just some of the sights you'll see on this 100-page tour of the planets.
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Hubble Reborn
Hubble Reborn takes the reader on a journey through the Universe with spectacular full-colour pictures of galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars as seen through Hubble's eyes, along the way telling the dramatic story of the space telescope, including interviews with key scientists and astronauts.
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3D Universe
Witness the most awesome sights of the Universe as they were meant to be seen in this 100-page extravaganza of planets, galaxies and star-scapes, all in 3D!
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This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging.
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Explore the Universe with these new versions of the award-winning Starry Night Software. Available now from the Astronomy Now Store.
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Astronomy Now is pleased to announce the publication of Exploring Mars. The very best images of Mars taken by orbiting spacecraft and NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers fill up the 98 glossy pages of this special edition!
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This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
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