Confession time! For most of my life, I lived in a small town in India under glorious dark skies. But until recently, I never went stargazing. Not because I wasn’t interested, but simply because observing seemed scary. I didn’t know where to begin and what to do.

SkyWatch 2012

SkyWatch 2012

And that’s precisely why I enjoyed editing this video about Skywatch. This annual magazine, edited by associate editor Tony Flanders, is a guide to the stars for everyone — especially beginners like me.

This year’s Skywatch has an interesting theme: astronomy in motion. Nothing in the sky is ever the same, and with this issue you will discover just how dynamic the universe is. Look also for the extensive observing section on what’s in the skies in 2012.

Skywatch is now available on newsstands in the U.S. and Canada. You can also purchase it from our online store.

Watch this video for a preview of the magazine.

Comments


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perigee

November 8, 2011 at 4:42 am

We down under unfortunately are swamped with sky guides written for the north hemisphere. Publishers and distributors seem oblivious that southerners will not be able to make sense of the star maps as seen from the north. At least there should be a warning on the cover. I find I have to constantly warn newbies before they spend (waste) their money and instead direct them to one of the very few southern publications available.

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John M. Reilly

November 16, 2011 at 10:21 pm

Hi Tony, Thanks again for hooking me up with the password! I'm greatly enjoying Sky&Telescope online. I see your going to do a review of binoculars and the 12x60's are of particular importance for me as I have a pair that I bought at Stellarvue a few months ago. I have an experience that may come to light for your readers. The rubber eyecups are not very robust,mine split in the middle of BOTH within a month or so. They are now half what they were. My suggestion is to leave them extended out at all times if possible. The motions of popping them up and down will lead to the split I mentioned earlier,or of course keeping them down when stored for long periods. I believe they are a Kunming product which have different brand names. Mine were slightly out of alignment but not bad enough to send back or replace. Other than those two minor setbacks they are quite nice to look through! I hope to see your review in the near future. Clear skies, John M. Reilly

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