Whether relatively close to home or billions of light-years from us, the cosmos is filled with weird and wacky wonders. After all, as Contributing Editor Bob Berman aptly demonstrates each month in Astronomy magazine, we really do live in a strange universe. And now, in 2015, Berman is going to guide Astronomy magazine subscribers among the 50 strangest and most fascinating oddities he's come to know over the years. Each week, he'll explore an object that he believes should be inducted into the "Cosmic Hall of Weird" at www.Astronomy.com/50weirdest, starting at No. 50 and counting down to No. 1 by the end of the year. What will be the strangest?
To get the countdown started, we're kicking it off with two objects this week, a "celestial cross-dresser" and a "sleeping monster." Throughout the year, we'll tour everything from the coldest place in space and some planetary wannabes to invisible particles and dark galaxies. Be sure to follow Astronomy on Facebook and Twitter for updates on when we publish each new mini-guide (along with lots of other fun stuff), and bookmark www.Astronomy.com/50weirdest to take part in the year of the weird.
But remember, you have to be a subscriber to experience Bob Berman's 50 Weirdest Objects. Join the countdown and receive in-depth articles and tips delivered direct to your door as well well as other great online features by subscribing to Astronomy magazine. Just visit www.Astronomy.com/subscribe!
**Content based on Astronomy special issue Bob Berman's 50 weirdest objects in the cosmos**