Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 17639
Loc: Los Angeles
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Just got the new issue. The format is clean and uncluttered, and the content makes it the best issue in a long time. It's a little reminiscent of the S&T of my youth. Kudos!
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Don Pensack
www.EyepiecesEtc.com
12.5" Teeter/Zambuto, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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I'm still waiting for October's S&T to come out in the newsagents over here...it's usually out by now. It's the best of the mainstream astronomy publications and the only one I buy on a regular basis apart from subscribing to the wonderful Amateur Astronomy (I don't really like the British publications that much).
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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Rick Woods
Postmaster
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 11940
Loc: Inner Solar System
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I have a question about magazine costs. Maybe someone from S&T or Astronomy can answer this.
I can't find it in the magazines anymore, but it seems to me that last time I saw the circulation figures, S&T had a circulation of about 120,000, and Astronomy was more like 140,000. The last Astronomy issue I got (4/07) had a cover price of $5.95, and had 89 pages. The October S&T had a cover price of $5.99, and about 112 pages.
I also take DownBeat magazine. Their circulation is between 30,000 and 50,000. They use the "perfect" binding that S&T just moved away from, and the latest issue is about 190 pages. The cover price is $4.99.
It seems to me that DownBeat is no more of a "niche" publication than S&T or Astronomy, and their circulation is only 1/3 to 1/2 of the others.
Why is it that they can successfully put out a big magazine month after month since what, the 1930's, and yet charge so much less than the astronomy magazines? Are they being subsidized somehow, or what?
- Rick
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- Rick
14" LX200
Cactus Patch Observatory
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom, and the unknown. Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon it. To bow before the one is to lose sight of the three."
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MikeB
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 421
Loc: Bidwell, OH
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I like it.
I don't like the idea of a "digital magazine" very well. I prefer to hold it in my hands and read it. Keep sending me that "pile of tree". 
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Mike
Nexstar 8i SE, with feathertouch microfocuser
WO66 orange tube/Vixen mini porta mount
Orion 8x56 mini-giant binos
TV everbright diagonal
32mm TV Plossl
18mm TV Radian
12mm TV Radian
4mm TV Radian
Ultima barlow
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zee
super member
Reged: 07/04/07
Posts: 159
Loc: Arizona (varies)
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I like it. Seems like a little more practical advice for amateur stargazers (perhaps they also were thinking about taking up the slack left from folding Night Sky?)
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8" Orion classic dob
15x70 Celestron Skymaster
Edited by desertstars (09/21/07 04:25 PM)
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swalker
Imaging Editor - Sky & Telescope
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1309
Loc: 42.9225°N, 71.2242°W
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I can't speak for other "niche" publications. Perhaps they run under a different buisness plan.
Nobody is talking about phasing out printed magazines. I get most of my reading done with them in the "porcelin office" <sp>
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Sean Walker
Imaging Editor
Sky & Telescope
Edited by desertstars (09/21/07 04:26 PM)
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Zee makes an interesting observation, regarding Night Sky. Now that I think of it, the new format does have something of a Night Sky feel to it. Was this deliberate? (If so, it was a good move.)
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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swalker
Imaging Editor - Sky & Telescope
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1309
Loc: 42.9225°N, 71.2242°W
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Tom-
yes. Somewhat like a reboot.
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Sean Walker
Imaging Editor
Sky & Telescope
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Faith_J
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 5830
Loc: South coast of England
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I have just got a copy of October's S&T and I really like the new format and the articles. A big thumbs up from me.
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Visual deep sky
18" f4.3 dob
7.9" f/4 Celestron Newtonian
8x42 binos
100% visual observing...
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davidpitre
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 3183
Loc: Central Texas
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I feel the new format is better as well. Good job S&T.
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David
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Wilsonman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/30/07
Posts: 1710
Loc: S.E. PA
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I have really liked S & T lately. not so much the physical makeup, but the material presented.
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Orion X10 Intelliscope
Selsi 7X50 binocs
Skywatcher 100 ED
Celestron C-6R
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Veridian
sage
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 478
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Looking at the cover, the first impression was, "wow, appears that S&K is having some problems with the funds". Then I am thinking about how the paper quality has been declining over the past year or so, I was getting concerned.
The thought comes to me, "This thing is getting to look more and more like 'Astronomy Magazine' with each issue. Why, they're even using the same kind of cheap cover now". I also subscibe to 'Astronomy' and I like it a lot for what it does. Although, as someone else has already mentioned, I think people have higher expectations for the 'S&K' content. After all,, it came first.
Lately, I've been hearing about the rather radical increases in postage rates this year for magazines. Before even opening it, I get the phantom thought of this possibly being one of the last issues of 'Sky & Telescope'.
So, I have a look inside and begin to notice what's going on. Wow! What a difference! I like it! Almost two weeks later and I'm still taking this issue out for lunch with me and enjoying it immensely. 
I do have only two humble suggestions. Even before the 'great change', it has always bothered me that in the photo captions for 'Astrophotos From Readers' it seldom mentions what kind of mount was used to get these fantastic images. Isn't the mount a large part of a successful photo?
The other thing is the UT time listed for the moon postiion charts for Jupiter and Saturn. I just always find it a lot easier to calculate time from Eastern Daylight Time. Maybe that's just me (after all, I am math challenged).
Several here have mentioned missing the binding that allows viewing the issue date and abbreviated index from the binding edge on, as it sets upon the shelf (or in a pile). I liked that too, but, then again, the stapled binding certainly has its advantages as well. So, guess this one is a 'horse apiece'. Yes, it does remind one of the older issues. [sure do miss that big pile of 'S&K' from the sixties that I lost in that flood,, oh well]
My subscription renewal is coming up soon and I will renew.
Congratulations 'Sky & Telescope' on taking this chance,, being first again.
Mark J.D.
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Rick Woods
Postmaster
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 11940
Loc: Inner Solar System
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"S&K" = Sky & Kelescope?
One thing I've always liked about S&T is the opinionated editorials. Leif Robinson was never shy about saying what he thought, and I think Rick Fienberg is continuing that tradition very well. The editorial page in Astronomy is always pretty limp, and generally only talks about what's in that issue. But in S&T, sometimes I get treated to something really inflammatory, and whether I agree with it or not, I like it. In the new format, too, the table of contents seems to be organized a bit clearer now than it was.
Just please, please, PLEASE don't start illustrating articles with those moronic cartoons that look like a first-grader drew them. That sort of thing is one reason I let my subscription to Astronomy lapse. A full page of stupid cartoon, and a single paragraph of text. Bah!
And have MacRobert write more observing columns. I still miss "Backyard Astronomy". (No, I'm sorry: Sue French is good, but she's no Alan MacRobert).
- Rick
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- Rick
14" LX200
Cactus Patch Observatory
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom, and the unknown. Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon it. To bow before the one is to lose sight of the three."
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Veridian
sage
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 478
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~~~ "S&K = Sky & Kelescope?" ~~~
Not just once,, but threeeee times!! For cryin' out loud!! 
Good catch Rick!
Mark J.D.
BTW,, I'm with you all the way on the cartoon criticisms.
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Veridian
sage
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 478
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The November issue arrived today. I haven't opened it to get a close look, but after last month's surprises, I am anticipating something good. Hope I'm right.
Mark J.D.
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Veridian
sage
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 478
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This is a nice issue,, VERY nice!
The first few pages in and there's a two page spread image, shot by Jerry Lodriguss, of the ISS passing in front of the Sun. Wow!
As I keep going,, it keeps surprising me. Great work S&T!! I'll have plenty to ponder over for the next month's lunch hours.
Mark J.D.
(I got it right this time Rick).
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LivingNDixie
TSP Chowhound
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 17757
Loc: Trussville, AL
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This issue was very good. Only minus was having another series of images of Venus when just last month we had an article that had the same thing. Other then that, great issue.
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Preston
Meade 10in LX200R GPS UHTC
blog (updated 02/15/2013)
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I have the November issue now as well. The magazine is indeed moving in a good direction.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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ckwastro
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/05
Posts: 1192
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Big thumbs-up for the new format. 
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Kerry
- Astro-Physics 92mm f/7 Stowaway
- Takahashi Mewlon 210
- Denkmeier BV
- Giro III mount
- Brandon, Nagler, Leica single EPs, UO Ortho and Edmund RKE Binoviewer sets
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ckwastro
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/05
Posts: 1192
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Quote:
I get most of my reading done with them in the "porcelin office"
Yes, "reading material" is essential!!
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Kerry
- Astro-Physics 92mm f/7 Stowaway
- Takahashi Mewlon 210
- Denkmeier BV
- Giro III mount
- Brandon, Nagler, Leica single EPs, UO Ortho and Edmund RKE Binoviewer sets
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