Astronomy July 2005

Mysterious microworlds
Everyone knows the Sun has nine planets. But it also has 141 moons varying from icy fragments to complex worlds with volcanoes, oceans, and atmospheres. Take a tour of the rest of the solar system. JACQUELINE GARGET

GALACTIC ASTRONOMY
Dark threat
Could an unseen stellar assassin cause mass extinctions on Earth? BRUCE DORMINEY

PROFILE
Cosmic music man
As the universe sings, Alex Szalay listens for answers to fundamental cosmological questions. STEVE NADIS

SPACE EXPLORATION
An ice moon revealed
Cassini’s first close look at Enceladus shows Titan isn’t the only Saturn moon with an atmosphere. RICHARD TALCOTT

DEEP-SKY OBSERVING
Summer splendors
Set up your scope, pour a cool drink, and follow this step-by-step guide to explore the season’s best sights. IAN RIDPATH

SOLAR SYSTEM OBSERVING
Corona light
On March 29, 2006, observers across eastern South America, northern Africa, and western Asia will be treated to a total solar eclipse. FRED ESPENAK AND PATRICIA TOTTEN

ASTRONOMICAL HISTORY
Hale-Bopp +10
In 1995, Hale-Bopp became history’s most observed comet. Ten years later, codiscoverer Alan Hale tells its tale. ALAN HALE