Sky & Telescope August 2022 Magazine
In the August 2022 issue of Sky & Telescope, we’re remembering an optical illusion that turned out to be real. Astronomers long believed that spokes in Saturn’s rings, recorded by 19th-century observers, were the result of outdated techniques and optics. But when Voyager 1 captured an image of the spokes in 1980, the debate turned to what creates them. Then, we examine the defunct constellation Taurus Poniatovii, which still holds some stunning observing targets. As you dream about the latest equipment that will help you capture those stunning nebulae, galaxies, and clusters, you might also be interested in the next big revolution in astrophotography: live stacking. Meanwhile, the latest innovation in planetary exploration is taking off: The Ingenuity helicopter completed the first powered flight on another planet in April 2021 and has exceeded our expectations since then. Plus, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has recently received a big boost in funding. With new equipment and data-analysis tools, will SETI finally locate life on another planet?
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