Skywatch - 2021 - 2

WELCOME TO SKYWATCH 2021

2021

Celestial Seasons
W

elcome to the 2021 edition of SkyWatch! After a one-year hiatus we're back
and thrilled to yet again bring you a full year of observing fun.
At the time of writing, western North America is consumed by wildfi res, a
global pandemic grips the world, and human rights protests continue to erupt
across the globe.
Things have been pretty rocky at Sky & Telescope as well. In the spring of 2019,
our parent company fi led for bankruptcy, leaving us with an uncertain future. Fortunately, the American Astronomical Society swooped in. Since then, we've dusted
ourselves oﬀ, added new staﬀ, and are looking forward to a sparkly future.
In the midst of all this pandemonium, one thing remains constant: our passion for
astronomy. And nothing brings us more pleasure than sharing this passion with you.
If you're new to the wonderful world of stargazing, consider this magazine your
introduction. Within these pages you'll find advice on how to kickstart your exploration of the night sky. Our beginner's guide (on page 66) nudges you onto the path of
observing and shepherds you on your first steps. Not sure what equipment you need
to enhance your observing enjoyment? Not to worry, we'll give you tips on what to
consider when buying your first telescope, starting on page 58. Once you get going
you might be curious as to how to preserve your favorite sights or share them with
family and friends - even a cellphone will allow you to photograph the Moon, stars,
and planets - and on page 74 we'll show you how.
Join us as we saunter through the year - we'll visit the best observing targets for
each month. Regular readers will notice that we haven't departed from our usual
format of presenting 12 monthly sky charts, a trademark feature of SkyWatch since its
inception in 1997 (with instructions on how to read them for the novice observer). In
addition, each monthly column brings you a little tidbit from the world of astronomy,
whether it be on the history of the constellations or the phases of the Moon or how
the seasons are marked.
There's a whole community of amateur astronomers out there waiting to embrace
newcomers just like you. Don't be afraid to join an astronomy club or go to a star
party - the passion that we share for all things celestial is infectious. And who
knows, soon enough it might be your voice floating through the darkness enthusing
about your favorite objects to a crowd of eager listeners.
Invite your friends and family to join you for a meteor-watching session in August
or the lunar eclipse in November - or any of the other events described in these
pages. Stargazing is a wonderful group activity. Let's make astronomy in 2021 allinclusive - don't leave anyone out. The awe that the celestial vault instills is universal, and under a starry sky we are all united.
Each of the undersigned on this Welcome page has a legion of people who have
inspired us along the way - whether it be a family member or a club buddy or a
mentor - and you'll see that influence bubble up in these pages.
Are you ready to take the plunge? The universe is waiting for you to dive in -
enjoy!

Diana Hannikainen, Editor

2 SK Y WATCH 2021

Gary Seronik, Editor

Terri Dubé, Designer

SKYWATCH
EDITORS
Diana Hannikainen
Gary Seronik
ART DIRECTOR
Terri Dubé

EDITORIAL
Editor in Chief Peter Tyson
Senior Editors J. Kelly Beatty,
Alan M. MacRobert
Science Editor Camille M. Carlisle
News Editor Monica Young
Associate Editor Sean Walker
Editorial Assistant Sabrina Garvin
Senior Contributing Editors
Dennis di Cicco, Richard Tresch Fienberg,
Robert Naeye, Roger W. Sinnott
ART, DESIGN & DIGITAL
Illustration Director Gregg Dinderman
Illustrator Leah Tiscione
Webmaster Scilla Bennett
ADVERTISING
Advertising Sales Director Tim Allen

AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY
Executive Ofﬁcer / CEO, AAS Sky
Publishing, LLC Kevin B. Marvel
President Paula Szkody, University of
Washington
Past President Megan Donahue, Michigan
State University
Senior Vice-President Joan Schmelz,
Universities Space Research Association
Second Vice-President Geoffrey C. Clayton,
Louisiana State University
Third Vice-President Stephen C. Unwin,
JPL, California Institute of Technology
Treasurer Doris Daou, NASA Planetary
Science Division
Secretary Alice K. B. Monet, U.S. Naval
Observatory (ret.)
At-Large Trustees Marcel Agüeros,
Columbia University; Kelsey Johnson,
University of Virginia; Tereasa Brainerd, Boston
University; Hannah Jang-Condell, University of
Wyoming; Edmund Bertschinger, MIT

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Skywatch - 2021

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