Start your exciting astronomical adventure with Stargazing Live magazine. Join the team on location Down Under, then begin to unravel the mysteries of the Universe with our essential beginner’s guides to exploring the night sky, the equipment you’ll need to get started (surprisingly little) and how to observe the most spectacular celestial sights awaiting you this spring.
INTRODUCTION
ON LOCATION WITH STARGAZING LIVE • Discover the southern hemisphere; from the best sights in the sky to historic observatories to visit
OUTBACK ADVENTURE • The dark skies of the vast Australian outback offer an unforgettable observing experience
SIGNPOST SOUTH • Top constellations for amateurs learning to navigate the southern hemisphere sky
THE BIG DEBATE • North or south – which half of the night sky has the best celestial sights? Here are some of the gems each hemisphere has to offer so you can decide…
LIVE ON LOCATION • This year, the Stargazing Live team visit Siding Spring Observatory in the remote New South Wales outback
THE BIG DISH • Australia’s place in radio astronomy was established by this iconic landmark over 56 years ago
KNOW STARGAZING • Understanding the basics of astronomy and the night sky will help you to make sense of the Universe as you observe its many marvels
THE STARRY SKY • There are patterns in the skies that have been observed, and made legends of, for millennia
STARTER STAR PATTERNS • Key constellations for amateurs exploring the northern hemisphere
STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT • Knowing that not all stars are the same brightness helps to navigate the night sky
TOP 10 BRIGHTEST • Look out for the most brilliant bodies in the northern hemisphere’s night sky
A MOVING PICTURE • As Earth spins on its axis the stars appear to march across the sky
EARTH’S JOURNEY AROUND THE SUN • As it orbits the Sun, Earth spins on a tilted axis. Either the northern or southern hemisphere gets more direct sunlight, causing the seasons
THE MOON • Discover the phases of our planet’s only natural satellite
THE MOON’S PHASES • The Moon’s appearance changes depending on where it is in relation to the Earth and Sun
THE PLANETS • Our closest neighbours are popular targets for astronomers
PLANET SPOTTING • Discover the best times to observe the inferior and superior planets
THE INNER PLANETS • These worlds are mostly made up of metals or silicate rocks
THE OUTER GAS GIANTS • These distant worlds include the Solar System’s largest
ICY WANDERERS • Spectacular comets may be visible only once in a lifetime
FAMOUS COMETS • Dominating the sky or the landing site for a probe, these are the best-known comets
SHOOTING STARS • Spotting a meteor streaking across the sky is a truly captivating sight to behold
GLOWING AURORA • Magical aurorae show Earth’s connection to the Sun and the wider solar system
WHEN EARTH MEETS THE SUN
AURORAL STRUCTURES
THE DEEP SKY • Beyond our cosmic backyard, lie billions of galaxies, star clusters and glowing nebulae
START STARGAZING • The lowdown on what equipment you need and how to get started on your astronomical adventure
MAPPING THE NIGHT SKY • The celestial sphere is a system of imaginary lines that allows us to navigate the heavens
RA AND DEC. EXPLAINED
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TRACKING THE ECLIPTIC
HOW TO GET THE BEST VIEW • It might surprise you to know that it’s not just the weather that affects how well you can see the stars and planets
YOUR LIMITING...