May/June 2008
Volume 4. Number 3. Issue 29
COVER STORY
Cosmic Superparticle Mystery: Solved?
Scientists now think they know the source of unbelievably ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays.
By Govert Schilling
NEWS & FEATURES
News Notes
• Caught! Avalanches on Mars
• Finger on the Milky Way
• Big Plans for Hubble
and more...
Spotlight On...A Scribble in the Sky
The remnants of an ancient supernova convey a fascinating tale for us today.
By Tim Carruthers
Next Light: Tomorrow's Monster Telescopes
The next generation of enormous observatories is about to leave the drawing board and become reality.
By Jonathan Lowe
Reunion with Mercury
January's flyby of this fire-and-ice world was the first in more than three decades.
By J. Kelly Beatty
Gaia's Mission to the Milky Way
In the next decade, a unique spacecraft will start pinning down the positions and distances of more than a billion stars.
By Thorsten Dambeck
Galactic Cannibals
The Local Group seems a serene setting for galaxies, but in fact it's slowly being consumed. Its diners are our own Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy.
By Geraint Lewis and Rodrigo Ibata
Discoveries
Spots on the Sun's face
By David Ellyard
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
New Product Showcase
• Clear-View Portable Observatory Tent
• Deep Sky Imager III
• Starshoot Autoguider
• AutoStar CCD Photometry
AS&T Test Report
To the Point with mySKY
Enjoy your own personalised planetarium show under a starry sky with this clever bit of electronic wizardry from Meade.
By Dennis di Cicco
Size Does Matter
A local source of large Dobsonians is fast gaining favour in the community.
By Rod Berry
Books & Beyond
• Space Art
• Planets, Stars and Galaxies
OBSERVING & EXPLORING
Binocular Highlight
Coma Cluster
By Les Dalrymple
Tonight's Sky
Centaurus Delights
By Greg Bryant
Sun, Moon, and Planets
Regulus meets Saturn and the Moon
By Greg Bryant
Catch Halley's Crumbs
By Greg Bryant
Exploring The Moon
Imbrium's Impact
By Charles A. Wood
Celestial Calendar
Nunki Time
By Steve Kerr
Celestial Calendar
An Evening Binocular Comet
By David Seargent
Deep Sky Delights
At Demeter's Feet
By Les Dalrymple
Targets
Leo's 11th Hour
By Sue French
Polestars of the Future
Thousands of years from now, will celestial navigators have good stars to steer by?
By Andre G. Bordeleau
ACTIVITIES & PEOPLE
Sydney Observatory Celebrates 150 Years
A look back at the history of Sydney Observatory
By Les Dalrymple
Telescope Workshop
Highe's Telescope Odyssey
By Gary Seronik
Club Profile
Newcastle Astronomical Society
By David Hough
Community News
Ask AS&T
• Auld Lang Syne
• I Spy Tranquility Base
Gallery
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Spectrum
Bigger and Better
By Greg Bryant
Letters
• Australia's Lunar Message
• Deep-Sky Praise
and more
Subscription Offer
WIN an iOptron Cube and telescope from Sirius Optics! See our offer
Manufacturer & Dealer Directory
Focal Point
Bastions of Science
By Gordon Reade
Index to Advertisers