Astronomy April 2006

X-treme stars of the cosmos
Get to know the galaxy’s biggest, hottest, and most distant stars. C. RENéE JAMES AND HOWIE MARION

Live fast, die young
Astronomers don’t understand massive stars — rare beasts with short lives but lasting impact. These 10 questions rank among the most baffling. YAëL NAZé

Meet the neighbors
The nearest stars hide secrets that could help astronomers learn more about our Sun’s place in the galaxy. JAMES B. KALER

All about the North Star
Polaris, navigators’ guiding light, is evolving right before astronomers’ eyes. KEN CROSWELL

Explore the Virgo cluster
Challenge yourself and your equipment by targeting some faint but fascinating galaxies. STEVE COE

High Moon
This month, the Moon climbs farther north than at any time since 1987 and offers observers great views. MARTIN RATCLIFFE

Eye on the southern sky
From film to digital imaging, this Chilean amateur astronomer does it all. DANIEL VERSCHATSE

Two scopes in one
Starmaster’s new go-anywhere scope is a quick-change artist with two mounting options. VIC WINTER