The Astronomy 2009 Special Issue of Physics World is Free this Month

PhysicsWorld - Astronomy 2009

Download a PDF of the Astronomy 2009 special issue of Physics World for free this month.

To celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Physics World has devoted the whole of its March issue to the exploration of the cosmos.    The issue includes interviews with leading figures from the world of astronomy, who reveal what they think are the biggest challenges for the subject.  Other feature articles look at the search for exoplanets, the development of planetary exploration, the return to the Moon, astronomers’ plans for extra-large telescopes, and the legacy of Galileo. We also showcase five iconic images from astronomy.

The issue includes these indepth articles:

• CERN hold-up hurts graduate students – Delayed LHC leaves some students without data for theses
• Another giant leap for mankind – The Moon has been neglected by space scientists and astronomers alike since the Apollo days, but now we want to go back. Paul D Spudis explains what motivates the new vision of lunar exploration
• Sites for sore eyes – Astronomers are planning a new generation of extra-large telescopes that will provide fascinating insights into the universe. But as Robert P Crease finds out, choosing where to locate these and other big facilities can require close interaction with the local communities involved
• Web life: Cosmic Diary – The official blog of IYA2009
• Up close and personal – Mark Williamson describes how space technology has allowed planetary astronomy to develop from a science of entirely remote observation to one of immersive experimentation
• A pale orange dot – Agustin Chicarro surveys a new account of Saturn’s largest moon
• The Galileo affair – Maurice A Finocchiaro discusses the lessons and the cultural repercussions of Galileo’s telescopic discoveries
• Cosmic visions - With the International Year of Astronomy now in full swing, leading figures from the world of astronomy reveal what they think are the biggest challenges for the subject
• Brave new worlds – The abundance of Earth-like planets will be determined in the next five years, with profound implications for the prevalence of life in the universe. Alan Boss describes the coming revolution in extrasolar planetology