Astronomic Potpourri
Dear reader, A colorful mix of topics awaits you at the end of the year. Our cover story is about the origin and evolution of galaxies. How did our Milky Way system form? Thanks to new observations and simulations, there are amazing answers, in which dwarf galaxies play an important role, as Anna Frebel reports from p. 28.
Astronomical observations are made more difficult for professionals and amateurs by the effects of artificial light sources. It is all the more gratifying when dark retreat areas are created - both for the observing person and for nature. Two North Sea islands recently became star parks, which you can read about in Andreas Hänel's article from p.78.
Nature can also make things difficult for us humans. The amateur astronomer Enrico Enzmann describes the shocking incidents on the Canary Island of La Palma (p. 36). The southwest of the island has been hit by volcanic eruptions since mid-September. The lava flows stop at nothing and destroyed many houses, including Enzmann's holiday home and private observatory.
Sometimes dealing with the universe leads to amazing encounters: The astronomer Camille Flammarion met the composer Camille Saint-Saëns in the 19th century. The two became friends and became passionate pioneers of popular astronomy, which Dieter B. Herrmann presents on page 40.
A practical observation tip from Klaus-Peter Schröder takes us to the end of the world - according to Greek mythology marked by the river Eridanus (p. 72). The inconspicuous constellation associated with it is located close to the horizon in relation to our latitude. We recommend taking a look.
The whole "Stars and Space" team wishes you a happy and, above all, he althy New Year 2022! I can tell you that something will change for SuW, which you will already see in the January issue.
Hush into the magazine!
Your Andreas Müller
