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Print edition: March 2009
Features
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
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
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
The Galileo affair
Maurice A Finocchiaro discusses the lessons and the cultural repercussions of Galileo’s telescopic discoveries
Quanta
Hanks for the memory
Traveller's tales
Calculators at the ready
Spooky Einstein
Cheers to Galileo
Frontiers
Teleportation goes the distance
Chameleons weigh in
New light on the farside of the Moon
Device developed to reverse the Doppler effect
Anti-reflective films look to moth eyes
News & Analysis
World's biggest laser powers up
Top scientists join Stephen Hawking at Perimeter Institute
Detecting new Earths
New reactor to destroy nuclear waste
Sweden seeks U-turn on nuclear power
Italy seeks geothermal renaissance
Sloan Digital Sky Survey tops astronomy citation list
New probe plots Earth's gravity field
Joint mission planned for Jupiter
Satellites measure CO₂ levels
Who's Galileo?
A new frontier awaits for US particle-physics lab
Physical science receives stimulus boost
Editorial
In Galileo's footsteps
Forum
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
Feedback
A year of astronomy
FAST success
Funding open access
Light omission
The last word on fusion
Comments from physicsworld.com
Imagine all the units
Off to the pub
Quiz results
Reviews
Ancient astronomy revealed
Telescopes on parade
Scientific sleuthing
For all eyes only
Sky guide
Careers
Living life on 'Mars'
The quest for clear, dark skies has led astronomers to build telescopes far away from the lights and smog of modern civilization, but what is it like to live and work in such places? Elena Mason describes her career at one of the world’s most remote observatories
Once a physicist: David Florence
The Nottingham University graduate who won a silver medal in canoeing at the Beijing Olympics
'Lifetime award' for stellar research
US astronomers honoured
Pair share quantum prize
Women who are worth it
Another gong for graphene
Movers and shakers
Lateral Thoughts
Clutching at dark straws