On the cover: Chesley Bonestell's fantastic illustrations of lunar missions captivated space enthusiasts in the 1940s and '50s. (Space Art International)

Life As We Don't Know It
For this issue of StarDate, we sent noted author Ben Bova in search of life on other planets. Turns out the best evidence may be right beneath our feet. Rock-eating microbes, arctic lichens, and the well-known tube worms clustered on hot-water vents miles below the ocean's surface are among the myriad creatures that inhabit Earth beyond the sunny surface that we humans find so comfortable. Drawing on experts like Stephen Jay Gould and others in the burgeoning field of astrobiology, Bova explains how the cousins of Earth's "extremophiles" may thrive in harsh environments on Mars, Europa, and throughout the universe.

Harvesting the Moon
Human encounters with the "extreme" kind may not be that far off if a new breed of commercially oriented explorers like Alan Binder succeed with private space exploration. Leading the Lunar Prospector mission, Binder says he proved the viability of returning to the Moon. With Prospector's confirmation of water on the Moon and advances in exploiting lunar resources for a long-term stay, Binder has his sites set on returning to the Moon.

AstroNews: Deep Space 1 mission, new SETI project

Read archived news from StarDate magazine in the Resources section.

Every issue of StarDate also includes monthly star charts and stargazing highlights, plus stunning astronomical images.

Subscribe online today or send your order by phone or mail.

View back issues by year
1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008