Astronomy August 2014

How one small step became a giant leap
by Jay Barbree
A billion people watched Neil Armstrong step onto the lunar surface in 1969. But space reporter Jay Barbree was there for all the steps before that.

Probing the cosmos with gravitational waves
by Bruce Dorminey
These waves in the fabric of space-time predicted by Albert Einstein will take astronomers inside the most violent events in the cosmos.

Faceoff! The Moon's oddly different sides
by Jesse Emspak
Clues unearthed by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and GRAIL have opened a new window on the Moon's creation and early evolution.

The James Webb Space Telescope takes shape
by Nola Taylor Redd
In January, journalist Nola Taylor Redd toured the Goddard Space Flight Center for an exclusive look at the nuts and bolts of the world's largest space telescope.

Wander fall's deep sky
by Michael E. Bakich
Whatever size telescope you own, set it up this season and hunt down these impressive sights.

How Astro Tanja captures the southern sky
by Maria Grusauskas
In just two years, this skywatcher taught herself astroimaging.

The truth behind the Super Moon
by Michael E. Bakich
The year's closest Full Moon arrives August 10, but will not blind us or bring about the apocalypse.

Road test: MallinCam Jr PRO
by Craig and Tammy Temple
Set up your scope, a monitor, and this video camera, and you'll be a hit at star parties.