If you’re lucky the transit of Venus is something that happens twice a lifetime and such a rare celestial event deserves a Focus all of its own. The transit occurs on 5 June as seen in the evening in the United States as the Sun sets and at dawn on 6 June as seen from the UK and mainland Europe. Peter Grego gives the lowdown on when and where you can expect to view the transit safely. Hopefully your observation of the transit will be less perilous than those experienced by eighteenth century scientists dispatched by the Royal Society in a tale recounted by Andrea Wulf, author of the new book Chasing Venus. Finally, Keith Cooper looks at Venus itself and how our perception of this enigmatic world has altered over the centuries.

Is the Sun headed for hibernation?
As solar cycle 24 moves inexorably towards its period of maximum activity over the next 12 months, Nicky Guttridge discovers that the prospects for future activity are somewhat bleak.

Inexpensive astro-imaging
Astrophotographer does not always have to be about complicated DSLRs or CCDs that cost four figure sums, as Grant Privett finds some cheaper alternatives.

Space and culture on the white mountain
Hawaii's Mauna Kea is one of the world's premier sites for astronomy, but it falls to the ‘Imiloa Center to bridge the culture gap between the astronomers and the people for whom the Mauna Kea is sacred, writes Steve Miller.

Iceland’s amazing light show
In March Astronomy Now headed to Iceland with Explorers Astronomy Tours to view the incredible experience of the Northern Lights.

Sky tour
Mar Armstrong helps open up the summer skies as he seeks eight stunning open clusters of stars.

Astro-imaging masterclass
Nik Szymanek gets things started in the first of our brand new monthly astrophotography guide. In this first article, Nik examines how to image using LRGB filters.

Reviewed
Neil English gets to grips with two new refractors from Phenix Optical in China, while Steve Ringwood gets an eye-full at the eyepiece with Takahashi’s ultra wide-angle eyepieces.