FEATURED ARTICLES

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The History of Water on Mars
How many times has NASA discovered water on Mars? We set the record straight.
By Emily Lakdawalla

Solving the Quasar Puzzle
Fifty years ago, recently discovered "radio stars" began revealing their exotic secrets.
By Bradley Peterson

Deciphering Starlight
In Europe, many amateurs are engaging in professional-level research.
By Jan Hattenbach

An Astronomical Revival
In western North Carolina, philanthropists have revamped a former military satellite-tracking station, turning it into a leading hands-on astronomy education center.
By Ashley Yeager

Eyepieces: Windows on the Universe
Understanding the basics will help you select from the cornucopia of modern eyepieces.
By Alan French

Piecing Together the Sun & Moon
Here's an easy technique for creating expansive images of the Sun and Moon using modest sensors.
By Tim Jensen

BEYOND THE PRINTED PAGE

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Water on Mars: A Gallery
Orbiters and landers offer tantalizing vistas of water on Mars.
By Robert Naeye

Resources for the Amateur Spectroscopist
Check out these links to learn more about taking spectra of the stars.
By Robert Naeye

Comet ISON Updates
Keep up to date with the latest developments on the "comet of the century."
By Alan MacRobert

Lunar Librations
Librations and other lunar data for September 2013
By Sean Walker

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

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Close Encounters
Several celestial objects pass near to one another on the sky and in space.
By Fred Schaaf

Comet ISON Approaches
The "comet of the century" was stuck at 16th magnitude when it hid out for the summer. Even so, good prospects remain for December.
By John E. Bortle

Stalking the "False Dawn"
To see the elusive zodiacal light during September and October, you'll need dark, crystal-clear skies — and an alarm clock.
By J. Kelly Beatty

Table of Contents
See what else September's issue has to offer.