Each week, Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Michael Bakich , a master at explaining how to observe, posts a podcast about three objects or events you can see in the sky. In each episode, Michael highlights: One object you can see without any optical aid One object you can see with a small (4-inch) telescope One object you can see with at least an 8-inch telescope Targets for June 26-July 3, 2009 Naked eye: The Keystone Small telescope: Globular cluster...

Spending time in the desert in New Mexico in June usually means automatic clear skies. However, after departing for the Rancho Hidalgo astronomy development on Thursday, Senior Editor Michael Bakich and I found ourselves trapped by clouds . We had an unusual monsoon pattern that carried stuff up from the south much earlier than it usually does. Nonetheless, the sky gods were kind to us, and by Saturday the atmosphere was clearing. It became apparent...

I began working for Astronomy February 17, 2003. Since then, we have published more than 70 equipment reviews — almost one per month. And when you include product roundups like “ 25 top telescopes for starry nights ” and “ 25 great observing accessories ,” the total number of products we’ve featured tops 200. That’s quite a resource if you or somebody you know is looking to buy a telescope or accessory. But it’s only great if you own every magazine...

Monday was my first day at the 214th American Astronomical Society meeting. What I’ve already noticed is that it’s not as jam-packed with press events as the January meeting — which I like. (I have the time to check out the science presentations.) Recent headlines from the AAS meeting: Red giant star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion is mysteriously shrinking A sleeping giant New technique improves estimates of pulsar ages Texas-sized computer...

Each week, Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Michael Bakich , a master at explaining how to observe, posts a podcast about three objects or events you can see in the sky. In each episode, Michael highlights: One object you can see without any optical aid One object you can see with a small (4-inch) telescope One object you can see with at least an 8-inch telescope Targets for June 5-12, 2009 Naked eye: Variable star R Coronae Borealis Small telescope...

Loyal podcast listeners, Starting June 4, Michael Bakich's weekly observing podcast will be available to registered members of Astronomy.com. The podcast remains free, so please register with the site to make sure you don't miss an episode! We now return to our regularly scheduled program... --- Here is the transcript for my podcast about how to see the star known as La Superba, globular cluster M80, and Abell 1656 this week. Check out the...

Astronomy Contributing Editor Martin Ratcliffe shares his report of the space shuttle Atlantis STS-125 launch : In a picture perfect, flawless launch, space shuttle Atlantis is on its way to a rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope. After years of planning, there were no delays, no major technical issues, and no weather problems. Seven astronauts enjoyed the 8.5-minute ride to orbit watched by thousands of spectators and the world's press...

A report from NASA's Kennedy Space Center by Astronomy Contributing Editor Martin Ratcliffe: The astronauts of the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope are now on board Atlantis. They left the astronaut building shortly after 10:15 a.m. EDT to cheers and waves from the press and staff. Astronomy magazine is here recording launch day. Commander Scott Altman was first out and waved, flanked by Mission Specialist Drew Feustel. Normally...

Now that your May 2009 issue of Astronomy is in hand, we’ve updated Astronomy.com with our newest web extras to give subscribers exclusive complementary information on this special collector’s edition that celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning his telescope to the sky. Take a sneak peek inside the May 2009 Astronomy magazine . If you subscribe to Astronomy , make sure you’re registered with Astronomy.com so you can access these great...

In this video , I discuss the objects you can see with your naked eyes and binoculars in this spring’s sky. The season offers several bright planets, notable constellations, and bright deep-sky objects. You can locate all the night-sky sights I talk about with Astronomy.com's interactive star chart StarDome . Watch the video, " Observe easy-to-find objects in the spring sky ." Venus As darkness falls during the first half of March, your...