Astronomy March 2020

Buy More, Save More: 2 Back Issues – Save 5% (use code: MAGAZINES5) 3-4 Back Issues – Save 10% (use code: MAGAZINES10) 5+ Back Issues – Save 15% (use code: MAGAZINES15) Features Hubble's greatest hits The world’s favorite orbiting observatory has transformed our knowledge about exoplanet atmospheres, the fate of the universe, and almost everything in between. Richard Talcott How the Ritchey-Chrétien telescope was born George Ritchey had great vision and skill. Henri Chrétien was a brilliant astronomer and optical engineer. Together, they created one of today’s best telescope designs.  Ron Voller Sky This Month Venus sidles up to Uranus Martin Ratcliffe and Alister Ling Star Dome and Paths of the Planets Richard Talcott; Illustration by Roen Kelly Do all galaxies have dark matter? The discovery of two ghostly galaxies created quite a hullabaloo in the astronomical community. But the jury’s still out on what’s really going on. Jake Parks Secrets of the Northern Pinwheel Galaxy Think you know the big spiral M101? Take a deep dive into its myriad details, and you’ll know it like never before. Rod Pommier Explore the Moon at First Quarter If you’re just starting out, our natural satellite makes a tempting target in the evening sky.  Michael E. Bakich Ask Astro Weighing black holes