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Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) saptharishi super member Reged: 06/15/12 Loc: Bangalore, India Good Magazine to Subscribe       #5361571 - 08/10/12 11:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, As I am new to this hobby, I am planning to subscribe to one the astronomy magazines. I searched and found the following magazines: Sky at Night From UK Astronomy Now from UK Astronomy from USA (not sure it is just the American edition of Astronomy Now) Sky & Telescope from USA What I understand from internet is that Sky at Night is not that great. I personally don't have any opinion or tilt towards any specific magazine. My requirement is to read and understand about the celestial objects, observing, equipments/accessories, reviews. Request your experience based recommendation. Regards, Umasuthan. Post Extras:       brianb11213 Postmaster Reged: 02/25/09 Loc: 55.215N 6.554W Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5361636 - 08/10/12 12:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My favourite of the three is "Astronomy Now". Second favourite would be "Sky & Telescope". "Astronomy" is a different magazine entirely, for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on I don't like it as much as the other two. The "Sky at Night" magazine is great for beginners but seems to get stale after you've read it for a few months. It does come with a fairly interesting DVD though. I wouldn't subscribe to that one but just occasionally (probably once every couple of years) I do pick one up at the newsagents just to see how it's faring. Post Extras:       uniondrone Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/05/09 Loc: Streetlight Archipelago Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: brianb11213]       #5361717 - 08/10/12 01:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: My favourite of the three is "Astronomy Now". Second favourite would be "Sky & Telescope". "Astronomy" is a different magazine entirely, for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on I don't like it as much as the other two. The "Sky at Night" magazine is great for beginners but seems to get stale after you've read it for a few months. It does come with a fairly interesting DVD though. I wouldn't subscribe to that one but just occasionally (probably once every couple of years) I do pick one up at the newsagents just to see how it's faring. One thing I've noticed is that the different magazines focus to varying degrees on astronomy as a science versus astronomy as a amateur/hobbyist. The ones that focus on the first will run a lot of articles concerning academic studies and space exporation. Those that focus on the second will run more articles about things like telescope making/hacking, how to make the most of observing sessions, and the best targets for viewing. Post Extras:       cliff mygatt Pooh-Bah Reged: 01/27/09 Loc: Kitsap County, WA Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: uniondrone]       #5361735 - 08/10/12 01:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I subscribe to both Sky and Tel and Astronomy as well as Astronomy Technology Today (ATT). ATT is not really for a beginner but both S&T and Astronomy would appeal to a beginner but each has its own focus. Good Luck! Post Extras:       saptharishi super member Reged: 06/15/12 Loc: Bangalore, India Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: brianb11213]       #5361750 - 08/10/12 01:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Brian, any specific reason why you are not happy with Astronomy magazine. Regards, Umasuthan. Post Extras:       saptharishi super member Reged: 06/15/12 Loc: Bangalore, India Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5361793 - 08/10/12 02:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Cliff, Thanks for the reply. Yes. You are right. I went through ATT. It is more about equipments. I am more interested in the sky . Astronomy and Astronomy Now has sample copies for download in their sites. I am reading through them to see how I like them. Will wait for a few more replies before paying for a subscription. Regards, Umasuthan. Post Extras:       amicus sidera Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/14/11 Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M... Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5361829 - 08/10/12 02:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'd recommend that you don't subscribe to any of them. Better and more current information is available online, often at no charge, from forums and websites like this one, as well as many others. However, if you enjoy paying for advertisements... Post Extras:       rockethead26 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/21/09 Loc: Indiana, USA Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: amicus sidera]       #5362070 - 08/10/12 04:49 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I'd recommend that you don't subscribe to any of them. Better and more current information is available online, often at no charge, from forums and websites like this one, as well as many others. However, if you enjoy paying for advertisements... Personally, I still enjoy sitting in a comfy chair with a good magazine. I spend enough time online without having to get my relaxed enjoyment there, too. I subscribe to Astronomy magazine and occasionally pick up one of the UK publications when I'm in the local bookstore. I think they all have their good points. I used to subscribe to Sky and Telescope, but switched a few years back. Post Extras:       Rudra super member Reged: 07/02/10 Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: rockethead26]       #5362133 - 08/10/12 05:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Personally, I still enjoy sitting in a comfy chair with a good magazine. I spend enough time online without having to get my relaxed enjoyment there, too. I subscribe to Astronomy magazine and occasionally pick up one of the UK publications when I'm in the local bookstore. I think they all have their good points. I used to subscribe to Sky and Telescope, but switched a few years back. My thoughts exactly. The internet cannot hold my attention for long and I have to be seated on my study table to read through the digital texts. No, I am a caveman compared to the rest of you, as I do not own an iPad yet. I love the feel of the paper magazine and I can take it anywhere, living, bedroom, patio etc. With the closing of the bookstores, the joy of spending hours in the tranquil calm of the shop browsing through the books is gone and has been replaced by point and click monotony of browsing over the internet. Personally, I do not have any preference for either S&T or Astronomy, I do enjoy reading both of them. Post Extras:       StarStuff1 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/01/07 Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Rudra]       #5363001 - 08/11/12 08:52 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   For more than 20 yeasrs I subscribed to both Astronomy and S&T. I dropped "A" when they stopped monthly ATM articles. I picked up ATT when it first came out but recently let my subscription expire...seemed like it turned into nothing but glorified ads and articles for EXPENSIVE stuff. Personally I like both the net and print material. A simple planisphere and the S&T Pocket Sky Atlas are usually all that I need for an observing session. I don't have an IPad either but it seems everyone around me does. Back to the OP: my choice would be Sky & Telescope. Post Extras:       edwincjones Close Enough Reged: 04/10/04 Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: StarStuff1]       #5363045 - 08/11/12 09:24 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   my choice has been S&T Astronomy Now is a favorite, but cost with international mail is just too high it really depends on what is available to you in India, and your personal preference-I would try one and compare to others as much as possible the cost may not be worth subscribing vs free internet edj Post Extras:       PhilCo126 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/14/05 Loc: coastline of Belgium Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: edwincjones]       #5363054 - 08/11/12 09:34 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Although You'll find a lot online, the Sky At Night magazine comes every month with a DVD which has the TV-program as well as some goodies (Starmap, software, etc...) on it Post Extras:       saptharishi super member Reged: 06/15/12 Loc: Bangalore, India Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: edwincjones]       #5363061 - 08/11/12 09:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Edj, In India all these mags have to be go through International subscriptions. Astronomy cost $42 and Astronomy Now costs $80. yes. that is what I am doing just downloading the free copy of these mags from their sites and see which suits my taste. My objective for subscribing a magazine is more for learning about the starts, galaxies and so on rather than equipments. Thanks and Regards, Umasuthan. Post Extras:       GeneT Ely Kid Reged: 11/07/08 Loc: South Texas Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5363482 - 08/11/12 03:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Regarding US publications, it is a close call for me between Sky and Telescope and Astronomy. I like them both. I do not splurge on a lot of hobbies--except Astronomy. For several years, I have subscribed to both magazines and enjoy them both. Post Extras:       rmollise Postmaster Reged: 07/06/07 Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: amicus sidera]       #5363542 - 08/11/12 04:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I'd recommend that you don't subscribe to any of them. Better and more current information is available online, often at no charge, from forums and websites like this one, as well as many others. However, if you enjoy paying for advertisements... More? Yes. Better? Not hardly. Post Extras:       bumm sage Reged: 01/07/11 Loc: Iowa Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: rmollise]       #5363962 - 08/11/12 09:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My vote goes for Sky & Telescope. I have to admit that I haven't picked up an Astronomy magazine for some time, but in times past, it seemed to go through several incarnations, every once in a while turning into a totally different magazine. I've been subscribing to S&T since 1975, and checked it out of the library for a few years before that. It's been consistently good. As others have said, I'm kinda OLD, and I like a hard copy magazine I can carry around and save. ON THE OTHER HAND... A person could learn the basics by reading a few books, and then keep up using the internet. Post Extras:       edwincjones Close Enough Reged: 04/10/04 Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: bumm]       #5364471 - 08/12/12 09:39 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   last year I subscribed to both S&T and Astronomy, and Astronomy was improving-both are close now in "my interest" for me, the magazine gives an overview of the field, then the internet allows me to dig deeper when I want edj Post Extras:       Rick Woods Postmaster Reged: 01/27/05 Loc: Inner Solar System Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: rmollise]       #5364734 - 08/12/12 01:26 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: I'd recommend that you don't subscribe to any of them. Better and more current information is available online, often at no charge, from forums and websites like this one, as well as many others. However, if you enjoy paying for advertisements... More? Yes. Better? Not hardly. LOL! That's what I was thinking too! Everything in S&T or Astronomy goes through editorial reviews to ensure the accuracy of everything (and errors still creep in occasionally!) Here on CN, or any forum on the web, you have to already know what the facts basically are in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. There is a lot of good information here; but there's a Whole Lot of uninformed opinion and just plain nonsense. CN is no place to get accurate information you can rely on; at best, you can identify the people who are consistantly correct and accurate, and talk to them. You'd be nuts to rely on the rest of us! Most all of us try to be accurate; but that isn't the same as actually being accurate. And FWIW, I enjoy the advertisements - where else would I get to see them? Post Extras:       orion61 Vendor(Clear Edge Optical) Reged: 10/20/07 Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Rick Woods]       #5365350 - 08/12/12 08:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I agree on Sky and Telescope, their articles seem more on the serious side, a bit more technical than Astronomy. I started with Astronomy but switched. I do like Astronomys reviews tho. answer GET ALL of THEM Post Extras:       amicus sidera Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/14/11 Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M... Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Rick Woods]       #5365400 - 08/12/12 08:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: And FWIW, I enjoy the advertisements - where else would I get to see them? Like I said, if you enjoy paying for advertisements... Post Extras:       Rick Woods Postmaster Reged: 01/27/05 Loc: Inner Solar System Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: amicus sidera]       #5365425 - 08/12/12 08:45 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It was the same when I subscribed to Guitar Player magazine; half the fun was ogling the new gear ads. (Unfortunately, the other half - the actual content - became intolerably trite, and I dropped it). It was funny; there were a lot of ads displaying fancy new guitars being held by scantily-clad, pretty young girls. This resulted in a lot of outraged letters by female guitarists, who thought this was exploitation. I once wrote a letter in response, trying to explain that a) pretty girls are good for advertising a product for which the primary demographic is young men; b) there are a lot of professional pretty girls making a living modeling for those ads and not feeling in the least exploited, and who need work just like everyone else; and c) The companies were perfectly welcome to model their guitars with handsome young men; would that still be exploitation? It was never printed, though. Post Extras:       amicus sidera Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/14/11 Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M... Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Rick Woods]       #5365441 - 08/12/12 08:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Good on ya, Rick! I remember when GP started that long slide, and the ads had little to do with it... more a lack of content, IMO. I did prefer the ads in GFPM, which usually had the endorsing artist shown with the instrument, and the content was better. Anyone remember when certain ads in the astro mags actually had notable amateurs or pros endorsing or seen using a certain brand? Post Extras:       PhilCo126 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/14/05 Loc: coastline of Belgium Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: amicus sidera]       #5435486 - 09/23/12 04:11 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's a great overview of magazines: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1119/1 Post Extras:       csa/montana Den Mama Reged: 05/14/05 Loc: montana Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: rockethead26]       #5436101 - 09/23/12 01:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Personally, I still enjoy sitting in a comfy chair with a good magazine. Agreed! I subscribe to both Astronomy & S&T; as well as two other magazines for my other hobbies. I thoroughly enjoy reading them, ads and all! Post Extras:       helpwanted Post Laureate Reged: 07/04/07 Loc: Phoenix, AZ Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: csa/montana]       #5436181 - 09/23/12 01:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   i learned a lot about telescopes and such when i was a kid... by reading the ads! and yes to a comfy chair and print magz!!! Post Extras:       davidpitre Post Laureate Reged: 05/10/05 Loc: Central Texas Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: csa/montana]       #5436190 - 09/23/12 02:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I subscribe to both S&T and Astronomy...Astronomy only for the last 2 years. I prefer S&T and will let Astronomy lapse. The former does have some in depth articles while Astronomy seems to cover more with short glib paragraphs or sound bite type sentences directed at those who can't concentrate on a read for more than 15 seconds. This, combined with articles like the one about rock stars who like astronomy in the latest Astronomy, make me think the magazine is a bit too concerned with the ADHD 15 year old set. (Not that there is anything wrong with this group and that we should not try and attract them towards Astronomy, but my own reading tends to be different than what is appropriate to them) Sue French's observing articles in S&T are worth the price of the magazine alone. Also a plug for Amateur Astronomy. I like this magazine. http://www.amateurastronomy.com/ Post Extras:       RobertED Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/11/03 Loc: Johnston, RI Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: davidpitre]       #5438535 - 09/24/12 05:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I get both S&T and Astronomy!! Twice as much reading FUN each month!!! Post Extras:       AJ sage Reged: 01/06/09 Loc: North Carolina Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: RobertED]       #5444051 - 09/27/12 07:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I subscribed to both S&T and Astronomy from the mid '80s until a few years ago when they dropped to around 70 pages per issue, half their former size. Have these magazines bounced back to 100+ pages, yet? If so I'll jump back on-board. As far as paying for ads, I always liked the ads, even the great Celestron v. Meade SCT War back in the day. Post Extras:       Alvan Clark sage Reged: 03/13/10 Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: AJ]       #5445106 - 09/28/12 12:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Have these magazines bounced back to 100+ pages, yet? If so I'll jump back on-board. S&T - back cover is 88th page. Astronomy - back cover is 76th page. November issues. I don't think the size will be increasing. Tony Flanders said something about magazine size somewhere here but don't remember what or where. Post Extras:       swalker Imaging Editor - Sky & Telescope Reged: 01/22/07 Loc: 42.9225°N, 71.2242°W Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Alvan Clark]       #5445187 - 09/28/12 12:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   We haven't been below 88 pages since the late 90's. Post Extras:       saptharishi super member Reged: 06/15/12 Loc: Bangalore, India Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: swalker]       #5445286 - 09/28/12 02:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I paid the subscription for 'Astronomy Now' published from UK and received the Oct issue. It is good. Post Extras:       GeneT Ely Kid Reged: 11/07/08 Loc: South Texas Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5445700 - 09/28/12 07:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Astronomy from USA (not sure it is just the American edition of Astronomy Now) Sky & Telescope from USA I recommend both of these magazines. Post Extras:       Tony Flanders Postmaster Reged: 05/18/06 Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Alvan Clark]       #5445710 - 09/28/12 07:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Tony Flanders said something about magazine size somewhere here but don't remember what or where. What I said is that all for-profit periodicals -- newspapers as well as magazines -- try to maintain a fairly constant ratio between advertising and editorial content. So the less advertising, the thinner the magazine or newspaper. Advertising appears to have picked up somewhat as the recession has eased, but nobody in the publishing industry expects print advertising to reach pre-internet levels ever again. Tony Flanders Associate Editor, Sky & Telescope Post Extras:       C_Moon Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/23/09 Loc: Virginia Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Tony Flanders]       #5445939 - 09/28/12 10:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: Tony Flanders said something about magazine size somewhere here but don't remember what or where. What I said is that all for-profit periodicals -- newspapers as well as magazines -- try to maintain a fairly constant ratio between advertising and editorial content. So the less advertising, the thinner the magazine or newspaper. Advertising appears to have picked up somewhat as the recession has eased, but nobody in the publishing industry expects print advertising to reach pre-internet levels ever again. Tony Flanders Associate Editor, Sky & Telescope Tony, is it a loser idea to charge more for subscriptions? I wonder how much more you had to charge to have a 2:1 ratio or even 1.5:1. I enjoy S&T now, but I would pay more for more content. Post Extras:       Tony Flanders Postmaster Reged: 05/18/06 Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: C_Moon]       #5446319 - 09/29/12 06:45 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Tony, is it a loser idea to charge more for subscriptions? Probably. Cost is the number-one reason people cite for failing to renew their subscriptions. Post Extras:       PhilCo126 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/14/05 Loc: coastline of Belgium Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Tony Flanders]       #5513999 - 11/11/12 05:24 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Although the feel of a real book cannot be beaten, with today's e-readers it's great to browse our favorite astro-websites and read electronic versions of articles. Biggest advantage of an e-reader = carry hundreds of books on a tiny tablet Post Extras:       GeneT Ely Kid Reged: 11/07/08 Loc: South Texas Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: saptharishi]       #5514789 - 11/11/12 04:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I subscribe to both Sky and Telescope and Astronomy Magazine. I have done so for more than 20 years. Post Extras:       mich_al Pooh-Bah Reged: 05/10/09 Loc: Rural central lower Michigan ... Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: GeneT]       #5515899 - 11/12/12 12:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Note that Astronomy Technology Today has an online only subscription available (6 issues) for $10 vs $18/yr paper & online. I recently switched mine mid-stream. Al Post Extras:       Rick Woods Postmaster Reged: 01/27/05 Loc: Inner Solar System Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Tony Flanders]       #5531293 - 11/20/12 11:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Advertising appears to have picked up somewhat as the recession has eased, but nobody in the publishing industry expects print advertising to reach pre-internet levels ever again. Then those businesses that neglect to advertise in print will miss out on sales to a large, older, and financially more stable demographic that selects products based initially on those ads. Not everyone is addicted to the internet. Post Extras:       Tony Flanders Postmaster Reged: 05/18/06 Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA Re: Good Magazine to Subscribe [Re: Rick Woods]       #5531549 - 11/21/12 05:50 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: Advertising appears to have picked up somewhat as the recession has eased, but nobody in the publishing industry expects print advertising to reach pre-internet levels ever again. Then those businesses that neglect to advertise in print will miss out on sales to a large, older, and financially more stable demographic that selects products based initially on those ads. True enough -- and said demographic is precisely what keeps Sky & Telescope afloat. However, people die out of that demographic but are no longer entering it. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

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