14

The Day We Found the Universe, Marcia Bartusiak
The discovery of the modern universe is a story filled with trials, errors, serendipitous breaks, battles of wills, missed opportunities, herculean measurements, and brilliant insights. In other words, it is science writ large.

19

Learning How to Build a Solar System, Joel D. Green
New stars are shrouded in dust and gas, but thanks to data acquired by the Spitzer Space Telescope, we're finally uncovering their secrets.

24

NASA's New Airborne Observatory Sees "First Light," Nicholas A. Veronico
A unique telescope takes to the sky to help reveal the infrared cosmos and provide a tremendous platform for expanding the horizons of students from all age groups.

29

Astronomy in the News
Spectacular first-light images of the Sun, a planetary system out of tilt, and a vast reservoir of intergalactic gas 400 million light-years away — these are some of the discoveries that recently made news in the astronomical community.

Departments

4

Editorial, Paul Deans
The Moai, the Eclipse, and the Milky Way

5

First Word, James G. Manning
Wishing You a Starry Night

7

Echoes of the Past, Katherine Bracher
80 Years Ago: The Asteroid Eros

8

Annals of Astronomy, Clifford J. Cunningham
Tales From the Crypt

9

Astronomer's Notebook, Jennifer Birriel
Understanding Ozone

10

Planetary Perspectives, Daniel D. Durda
Lightning on Venus?

11

Armchair Astrophysics, Christopher Wanjek
Trigger for Biggest, Baddest Black Holes

12

Education Matters, David Bruning
What is Your Theory?

13

Reaching Out, Bethany Cobb
Teaching Science to Adult Learners

34

Society Scope/ASP Supporters
Bok Award Winners

36

Sky Sights, Paul Deans
Two Oddball Stars

39

Reflections, Tony Phillips
Journey to the Stars Free DVD

As part of Mercury's transition from a print to a digital publication, the monthly star maps are no longer available as individual webpages. Instead, readers of digital Mercury now have access to Sky & Telescope's online star charts, which are available only to ASP members and institutional subscribers.