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MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

A beginner’s guide to astronomy Watch the January episode of The Sky at Night, in which the team reveal their top stargazing tips.

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This month’s contributors Michael Lachmann Producer and author

Elizabeth Pearson News editor

“It’s not easy flying close to the Sun. Discovering how the Solar Orbiter engineers have solved those problems using technology from unexpected sources has been a treat.” Michael looks at the Solar Orbiter mission, page 30

“The nations of Europe have been making giant leaps in terms of space operations – looking out at the cosmos and down on Earth – and ESA is set to continue for years.” Elizabeth finds out about ESA’s plans in the next decade, page 67

Nisha Beerjeraz-Hoyle Astronomy writer

“It was an immense pleasure to recount Alexei Leonov’s first spacewalk – a truly remarkable moment in space history and a wonderfully vivid tale.” Nisha chronicles the first spacewalk, page 72

Interview: how to weigh an exoplanet Astronomer Jason Wright reveals how NASA’s NEID instrument will measure the masses of planets orbiting distant stars.

Black Holes: A Very Short Introduction

Confused about black holes? Listen to chapters from an audiobook that explains the basics of black hole science.

The Virtual Planetarium

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel guide us through the best sights to see in the night sky this month.

March 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 5