Astronomy November 2009

What do we really know about dark matter?
Some type of mysterious, invisible mass holds the universe together. Here's how scientists are searching for it.
By Liz Kruesi

Astronomy: the next generation
Beyond 2020, telescopes will be huge, cost-effective, and easy to service - even the ones in space.
By Ray Villard

How an amateur changed stellar astrophysics
Thanks to Jay McNeil's discovery, we may soon know what feeds X-ray outbursts from young stars.
By Adam Frank

Watch as galaxies collide
Even at vast distances, galaxies twist and distort each other into weird shapes. Target these 10 fascinating extragalactic train wrecks.
By Alan Goldstein

Face to face with the century's longest eclipse
As the Sun and Moon aligned over Asia, daytime turned to night, and millions witnessed nature's grandest spectacle.
By Michael E. Bakich, David J. Eicher, Richard Talcott