Astronomy February 2010

Top 10 stories of 2009
Cosmologists found more evidence of dark energy, astronauts returned Hubble to prime condition, astronomers photographed worlds beyond our solar system, and more.
By Liz Kruesi

How astronomers probe weather on exoplanets
By plugging their latest findings into Earth's climate patterns, astronomers can approximate the weather on distant worlds.
By Robert Zimmerman

Illustrated: Explore our neighborhood of galaxies
Some 50 galaxies crowd around the Milky Way. Astronomers call them the Local Group.
By Richard Talcott; Illustration by Roen Kelly
10 tips for Moon watchers

Mountain ranges, vast volcanic plains, and more than 1,500 named craters make the Moon a target you'll return to again and again.
By Michael E. Bakich

How to start a meteorite collection
Learn Contributing Editor Raymond Shubinski's two main tenets of meteorite collecting, and meet some of the dealers he trusts.
By Raymond Shubinski

Dancing with the galaxies
Target these dozen galaxies with a modest-sized telescope, and you'll find that the Whirlpool is just one shining example of close galaxy pairs.
By Richard Jakiel

Explore Scientific's 5-inch APO combines portability and power
High-quality optics and craftsmanship make this a telescope you'll be proud to own.
By Mike Reynolds

Astronomy, 2010, February