WELCOME Issue 121

© Getty The hunt for life elsewhere in

LAUNCH PAD

YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE UNIVERSE

SATURN’S RIPPLING RINGS POINT TO A MASSIVE, SOUPY CORE HIDDEN INSIDE

YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE UNIVERSE IN COOPERATION

THE MILKY WAY HAS A ‘BROKEN’ ARM THAT COULD REVEAL ITS GALACTIC HISTORY

Scientists have found a strange ‘break’ in the

SPACEX STARLINK SATELLITES RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER HALF OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS IN ORBIT

Operators of satellite constellations are constantly forced to

HOW BIG IS A BLACK HOLE? HOW MESSILY IT ‘EATS’ MAY BE A CLUE

Accretion discs could be the clue to weighing

A MALAYSIAN SATELLITE HAS DIED IN SPACE AND WILL MEET A COLD GRAVE

A Malaysian satellite will settle into a graveyard

ROCKET LAB WILL LAUNCH A FINNISH CUBESAT THIS YEAR TO TEST SPACE JUNK CLEANUP TECH

IN COOPERATION WITH SPACE.COM If the test

NEW SEARCH FOR ALIEN LIFE

ASTRONOMERS HAVE LONG ASKED WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE ALONE, AND NOW WE’VE ENTERED AN EXCITING NEW ERA

FLEXIBLE SPACESUITS

The new BioSuit would be tailor-made for each individual astronaut, making it a perfect fit

“IT IS STARTLINGLY CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO PLANET B”

The ESA’s first British astronaut reveals how space travel will develop, what life is like on board the ISS and why we need to protect our planet

NASA’S PERSEVERANCE ROVER TAKES ITS OWN WHEEL FOR MARS DRIVES

Auto-navigation on the Red Planet: “It’s a rover driver’s paradise”

10 SPACE INNOVATIONS

GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL REVOLUTIONISE HOW WE EXPLORE THE COSMOS

GREAT STARGAZING TITLES FROM HARPERCOLLINS

Order them now from harpercollins.co.uk

LIGHT ‘ECHOES’ FROM BEHIND A BLACK HOLE

For the first time ever, scientists have seen a glow from behind one of these high-gravity objects

WHAT IF EARTH REALLY WAS FLAT

Earth is spherical, but what would happen if our planet were flat? We explore some of the bizarre implications of such a world, which would make life as we know it virtually impossible

THE THEORIES OF STEPHEN HAWKING

Some of the late physicist’s theories revolutionised the way we view the universe, but others still leave scientists scratching their heads

WATER VAPOUR DETECTED ON HUGE JUPITER MOON GANYMEDE FOR THE FIRST TIME

This could be a trend for icy bodies throughout the Solar System and beyond

WHAT LIT UP THE SKY IN 1054?

The Crab Nebula was formed by a supernova, and astronomers now think they know which type caused it

COULD WE HUNT FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVES FROM THE MOON?

Such an observatory could unlock the cosmos’ secrets

Are we finally getting a better understanding of black holes?

ASK Space Our experts answer your questions Science

How did your spaceflight experiences change you? What were the best or most memorable parts?

There are so many unforgettable aspects of life

How is space weather predicted?

Solar storms can damage electronics on Earth

Who is responsible for falling space debris?

Debris poses a serious problem in space –

Why do discs form around protostars?

Many processes play a role in disc formation,

How important is astrobotany research for future space exploration efforts?

Did you know? Three types of lettuce, Chinese

James Webb Space Telescope

The JWST’s hexagonal mirrors form one big structure

NEPTUNE

The isolated azure giant remains a relative mystery

WHAT’S IN THE SKY?

IN THIS ISSUE… 78 What’s in the sky?

PLANETARIUM

22 SEPTEMBER 2021

THIS MONTH’S PLANETS

Jupiter and Saturn are a dazzling duo from September through to October

CLAVIUS CRATER

Find one of the largest lunar impacts, made famous in a science-fiction film that helped shape the Space Age

NAKED EYE & BINOCULAR TARGETS

How to spot bright stars, weird stars and dead stars in September's skies

DISCOVER URSA MAJOR

Explore obscure deep-sky wonders lurking far beyond the stars of the Great Bear

THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Darker nights are upon us, leaving astronomers to enjoy both Solar System and deep-sky objects

ASTROSHOTS OF THE MONTH

Get featured in All About Space by sending your astrophotography images to space@spaceanswers.com

CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 130EQ

This reflector is great for observing the planets and bright sky objects, but absolute beginners will require patience with its mount

IN THE SHOPS

The latest books, apps, software, tech and accessories for space and astronomy fans alike

NANCY ROMAN

A pioneering astronomer who came to be known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’