Astronomy - September 2015

OBSERVING TOOLS

COMMUNITY

What’s new at Astronomy.com.

BY KARRI FERRON

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ASTRONOMY

26 ASTRONOMY • SEPTEMBER 2015

Featured video

Reader Photo Gallery

Browse thousands of beautiful images like this

one of the Milky Way over the 2015 Texas Star

Party by Jon Talbot, and submit your own.

Explore our numerous gallery catalogs, including

Galaxies, Nebulae, Stars and Star Clusters,

Planets, the Sun and Moon, Comets, and Cosmic Creations. Comment on pho-

tos and learn from others’ techniques. Beginners and advanced amateurs any-

where in the world are welcome at http://www.Astronomy.com/readergallery.

Weekly observing podcasts

Each week, Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich records a podcast featuring

three deep-sky objects you can see in the next seven days. He adds variety

by selecting targets for various optics: some for binoculars, some for small

telescopes, and others for larger instruments, like an 8-inch scope. He even

shares bonus objects, whether multiple double stars, a pair of star clusters, or

a group of galaxies. No matter what his targets, though, Bakich always pro-

vides detailed observing information and fun facts about each choice. Get the

inside scoop at http://www.Astronomy.com/podcast.

The biggest celestial event
of the fall will bring out all
kinds of weird phrases in the
news, including “Super Moon” and
“Blood Moon.” What’s with the unscien-
tific names? For many newscasters, it’s a
fun way of saying that on September 27,
the closest Full Moon of 2015 will pass
through Earth’s dark inner shadow in a
stunning total lunar eclipse (see p. 56).
Observers in North and South America,
Europe, and Africa all have front-row
seats to the event, and to help you prepare, check out
Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich’s video “How to observe a
lunar eclipse.” He starts with a detailed introduction and
demonstration that show what happens during a lunar
eclipse — and why one doesn’t occur every month, even
though a Full Moon does. Then, he explains what termi-
nology you’ll need to know and the differences between
these events and their counterparts, total solar eclipses.
And finally, Bakich explores why it’s easy to observe and
photograph lunar eclipses and what to look
for as you’re watching these special events.
So check out the video before September
27 at http://www.Astronomy.com/lunareclipse,
and enjoy this eclipse of the “Super Moon.”

“How to observe a lunar eclipse”

WEBTALK