About Astronomy Now For over two decades, Astronomy Now magazine has provided a monthly source of information for amateur and professional astronomers alike. It is the U.K.'s best-selling astronomy magazine. 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 14-page 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.

May 2010 BUY ONLINE NOW!

Meteorites

Meteorites are the key to understanding the formation of the planets. As pieces of other worlds and asteroids (some long since destroyed) falling to Earth, they are a veritable treasure trove on the history of the Solar System. In this month's Focus Emily Baldwin and Keith Cooper explore the fascinating world of meteorites, from carbonaceous chondrites to hefty iron meteorites, and the bodies that they hail from. We present a meteorite collector's guide to starting your own collection and highlight some of the most defining meteorite falls and finds that have shaped our understanding of the Solar System.

Features

• The perfect VISTA • The Plough's triple double act • Caribbean seeing
• A loopy new look at M81 •

The perfect VISTA
A British-built infrared telescope, which has found a home at the European Southern Observatory in Chile and is the largest survey telescope ever constructed, will map the heavens like never before, says Keith Cooper.

The Plough's triple double act
The famous double act of Mizar and Alcor in the familiar asterism of the Plough is hiding more stars than we see at first glance, describes Neil English.

Caribbean seeing
Damian Peach's travels to the sunny tropical island of Barbados have seen him bag some of the best amateur images of the planets ever taken. Here he describes why a visit to Barbados is anything but a holiday for him.

A loopy new look at M81
A spectacular new image of M81 in Ursa Major by US astrophotographer R Jay GaBany is putting paid to some theories about this photogenic spiral galaxy.

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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Missed out? The April 2010 issue of Astronomy Now, along with all other back issues, is available to buy from our online store

Our latest 132-page Astronomy Now special edition is an extravaganza of astronomy for the year ahead, with a complete 30-page guide to observing the planets, moon, meteor showers, two solar eclipses, and the deep sky in 2010.
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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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