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CONTENTS 28 = on the cover C Features 28 First date with a DSLR C Tips for taking great night shots with these versatile cameras , I L L G A T E R N A S A / , I O WT O S T U D : PA G E I S T H , I M A G E S I S T O C K /G E T T Y @ T H E S H E D _ P H O , T O P H O S T O C K L I N S/J A S O N FA N G/ L I B R A R Y/A L A M Y M O Í A Z DP E D R O : I M A G E C O V E R T O I E N C E P H O M A R K G A R L I C K /S C T O P H O S T O C K I M A G E S/A L A M Y I S T O R Y HI E N C E S C , J P LC A LT E C H C Send your photos to the contest 34 APY 2023 open for entries 36 Chelyabinsk: 10 years on C Recalling the meteor explosion 60 Cosmology crash course C How fast is the cosmos growing? 62 Observing variable stars Uncover how stars work through tracking changes in brightness 68 Copernicus at 550 The astronomer behind the theory of a heliocentric Universe Regulars 6 Eye on the sky 11 Bulletin 16 Cutting edge 18 Inside The Sky at Night 20 Interactive 23 What’s on 25 Field of view 26 Subscribe to BBC Sky C at Night Magazine 72 Explainer 74 DIY astronomy 98 Q&A: a planetary scientist Astrophotography 76 Capture 78 Processing 80 Gallery 4 BBC Sky at Night Magazine February 2023 Reviews 86 Sharpstar Z4 sextuplet apo astrograph 90 Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P C Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi Dobsonian 94 Books 96 Gear 16-PAGE CENTRE PULLOUT C The Sky Guide 44 Highlights 46 The big three 48 The planets 50 February’s all-sky chart 52 Moonwatch 53 Comets and asteroids 53 Star of the month 54 Binocular tour 55 The Sky Guide challenge 56 Deep-sky tour 58 February at a glance C
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New to astronomy? To get started, check out our guides and glossary at www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astronomy-for-beginners 62 Extra content ONLINE Visit www.skyatnightmagazine. com/bonus-content/RRX0AL4 to access this month’s selection of exclusive Bonus Content FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS Interview: Achieving interstellar travel NASA propulsion scientist Les Johnson looks to a future in which humans venture beyond our Solar System. 86 36 60 68 This month’s contributors Pete Lawrence Astronomy expert Emily Winterburn Science historian Amy Arthur Science writer “Observing variables is a rich and rewarding activity that teaches us how to read charts, judge magnitudes and how to interpret results.” Pete shares his expert tips for observing variable stars, page 62 “Although Copernicus worked out that the Sun – and not Earth – was at the centre of the Universe, he was very cautious about sharing his landmark theory.” Emily explores the life and work of the Polish astronomer, page 68 “The Columbia disaster was a tragedy for humanity and spaceflight, all the more so for the glimmer of hope that it could have been repaired.” Amy looks at the tragedy’s causes and possible prevention, page 72 DIY Astronomy: zeromagnification finder Access images and plans to help with this month’s project: making a device that helps you locate targets with a telescope. Access extra observing materials extra Download forms that you can use to sketch and record your planetary observations throughout the year ahead. The Virtual Planetarium Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel guide us through the best sights to see in the night sky this month. February 2023 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 5

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CONTENTS 28

= on the cover C

Features

28 First date with a DSLR

C

Tips for taking great night shots with these versatile cameras

,

I L L G A T E R

N A S A /

,

I O

WT O S T U D

:

PA G E

I S

T H

,

I M A G E S

I S T O C K /G E T T Y

@ T H E S H E D _ P H O

,

T O

P H O

S T O C K

L I N S/J A S O N FA N G/

L I B R A R Y/A L A M Y

M O

Í A Z

DP E D R O

:

I M A G E

C O V E R

T O

I E N C E P H O

M A R K G A R L I C K /S C

T O

P H O

S T O C K

I M A G E S/A L A M Y

I S T O R Y

HI E N C E

S C

,

J P LC A LT E C H

C

Send your photos to the contest 34 APY 2023 open for entries

36 Chelyabinsk: 10 years on

C

Recalling the meteor explosion

60 Cosmology crash course

C

How fast is the cosmos growing?

62 Observing variable stars

Uncover how stars work through tracking changes in brightness

68 Copernicus at 550

The astronomer behind the theory of a heliocentric Universe

Regulars 6 Eye on the sky 11 Bulletin 16 Cutting edge 18 Inside The Sky at Night 20 Interactive 23 What’s on 25 Field of view 26 Subscribe to BBC Sky

C

at Night Magazine 72 Explainer 74 DIY astronomy 98 Q&A: a planetary scientist

Astrophotography 76 Capture 78 Processing 80 Gallery

4 BBC Sky at Night Magazine February 2023

Reviews 86 Sharpstar Z4 sextuplet apo astrograph 90 Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P

C

Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi Dobsonian 94 Books 96 Gear

16-PAGE CENTRE PULLOUT

C

The Sky Guide 44 Highlights 46 The big three 48 The planets 50 February’s all-sky chart 52 Moonwatch 53 Comets and asteroids 53 Star of the month 54 Binocular tour 55 The Sky Guide challenge 56 Deep-sky tour 58 February at a glance

C

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