Australian Sky and Telescope

[dabbeldi]

Hi,

does anybody else have problems renewing a subscription with Australian Sky and Telescope? The renewal page does not give me any options to select one or two year subscriptions. I've contacted them but have not heard back yet.

Thanks
Daniel

[UniPol]

Ring their number (02)94391955. I recently called them to change my address and was informed that they will be going digital as the cost of producing the magazine was becoming prohibitive, not sure when this will happen but sometime soon.

[dabbeldi]

Yes, I had called them and left a message.
That would be a shame if they won't do a hard copy anymore. Always enjoyed reading it.

[Crater101]

Agreed. It's always easier to sit down with a magazine and a cup of tea than have a laptop or PC in front of you.

[leon]

Agreed, I do still like a hard copy of things, magazines or photos, what ever it may be. but than i am from the old school so to speak. :shrug:

I heard that Andrew. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[RB]

:rofl:

[dabbeldi]

Ok, they just confirmed it in writing. It will be digital only from the July issue.

[raymo]

You're from a relatively recent school Leon; I'm from the old school.
raymo:)

[dabbeldi]

Yes, I really like hard copies and I'm 46, so not that old... We are still getting the newspaper as well. Just feels great to get the eye off the phone or computer screen every now and then.
AS&T was great to fall asleep to at night!

[raymo]

I really enjoy my S&T, surely they could have raised the price by a dollar or two; I would still have bought it. I won't be getting the digital version, so that
will be the end of S&T for me. I also get a newspaper most days.
raymo

[dabbeldi]

Might be worth telling them, I certainly did!
They might reconsider if sales fall significantly.

[Crater101]

I'm much the same. When my subscription runs out, I won't be renewing unless they stay with a print magazine.

[Spleenus]

This is a shame, I did notice the last print copy was $2 more. But without any notice, how are people going to know who don't look online and just head to the shop to get their copy?

[Saturnine]

I only recently renewed my subscription to the magazine and there was no mention of it going digital only, which begs the question, how quickly was the decision made to cancel the print edition . Though I'm not surprised, it would be "nice" to have been informed of this change, still have about 8 issues left and am now wondering when and how I will receive future issues. Presumably they will be sent to my email as are a few other magazines that I subscribe to. Still waiting for the "current" July issue to arrive, by whatever means. I will definitely miss the feel of holding the magazine in my hands.

[Peter Ward]

What a shame. A "magazine" without a print edition reminds me of a Pythonesque cheese shop that doesn't actually have any cheese.

Thankfully the US edition (much of which is copied and pasted by the Oz version) is still being printed and arrives reasonably on time via post.

That said, I'll miss the higher quality print and paper quality of the local rendition.

[PhilTas]

I'm disappointed as well.
I would be happy to pay a bit more for the printed magazine. I look forward to the new one each month or two.

Will try the July edition and see what it's like.

[dikman]

There are sites where you can download magazines for free (:whistle:) and I admit to downloading some but I don't like reading them on a computer. I even bought a laptop where the keyboard folds back so it becomes a large tablet but it just isn't comfortable reading magazines. Funnily enough I have read books using this laptop but it just doesn't seem to work the same with magazines.:shrug:

We have the newspaper delivered and the deal included free access to the digital version - never used it! Accessing forums, youtube etc is fine, after all they are made for computer access, but to me magazines just don't work.

[Nab]

Really disappointing. I thought their decision to go back to the old publishing schedule of 8 issues was odd as well.. better to have fewer but better content and higher sales you would think. Through 2020 to this year's April issue I have been buying the magazine more regularly than the previous 5 years.. but with IceinSpace and Cloudy Nights I have my fill of online astro content!!


Darren.

[Saturnine]

The 1st digital edition turned up in my email today, which I'm happy about. There is an explanation from the publisher and editor as to the reasons of the demise of the printed edition. Totally understandable decision given the circumstances but I'll miss the printed magazine.
Will still be a good read regardless of the format, though a couple of double page images are not side by side but above each other as the download is in a vertical format. Is there a way to change the presentation to horizontal .

[UniPol]

I use Adobe Acrobat Pro, View-Page Display-Two Page View-Show Cover Page in Two Page View.

The email from AS&T also said :

"As a way of saying thank you for your continued support we’ve added two additional issues to the end of your subscription".

[John W]

I have been a long term subscriber to AS&T and will miss the magazine. To me a magazine is like an actual book - a hard copy is much better to hold in ones hand and read. One can also look back at past copies now and again - I'm unlikely to store digital copies of the magazine as they take up too much space on a computer. I also noticed the first digital copy has no date or issue number on the cover (it is a few pages inside). The star maps that cover more than one page are split in the digital version (not good).

Cheers, John W.

[UniPol]

Totally agree John, a hard copy is much more satisfying to read, easy to put down when you need to get up from the lounge or wherever. I have attached a couple of screen shots from my Adobe Acrobat Pro which overcomes the problem of split pages.

[marc4darkskies]

I won't be renewing my subscription either.

A couple of years ago, I tried for weeks to renew my US S&T without success. Their staff seemed utterly incapable or unwilling to help. So I switched to Australian S&T and now this?!

Thus ends my 48 year relationship with S&T! :sadeyes:

[David Fitz-Henr]

I had a similar experience to Marcus; I was with the US Sky & Telescope for decades, but in the last few years I wasn't receiving some of my issues and their response was "that issue is now out of print" or "the print run was short", etc.
So... I switched to Aussie S&T and thought this is great, I now receive all my issues on time. However, when I tried to take them up on a bonus subscription renewal offer the other week (no mention of digital at that point), I found out (via phone) that they would be digital from now on and that I would get an email (just received the other day) to that effect. I asked them whether there was an option to pay more for the printed magazine, but sadly no ("no longer viable").
That will be it for me - I find it far more relaxing and enjoyable to read a printed version :(

[PhilTas]

I don't know about anyone else, but I still have an (almost) complete collection of AS&T.
So now, I will just pick an old issue of the same month (ie, June or July), any year, and read it as if it were the current issue.
All of the regular monthly features will be relevant, and the articles will be a refresh.

[raymo]

If the posts in this thread are anything to go by, I don't think S&T will
survive in digital form.
raymo

[dikman]

I agree. Once a magazine goes digital it's very easy for someone to post it to one of the download sites where it can be accessed for free. So two reasons why sales will decline -
People don't like reading digital magazines and want a hard copy
Why pay for it when it can be found for free.

I'm sure they will save a considerable amount initially from not printing hard copy, but how long they will survive is another matter.

[trek1701]

Being a long time continuous subscriber to Sky and Telescope (US then Australian editions) since 1976 I have to say I’m disappointed to hear that there will no longer be a printed version.
I get a great deal of enjoyment from having the actual magazine in hand and I think I understand and absorb the information better.
This is supported by actual research so it is probably the same for most people.

https://www.themantic-education.com/.../digital-vs-print.../

I am surprised with the argument that limited access to newsagents and the COVID years made a big difference to subscriptions, as people reading the print version would predominantly be subscribers anyway and thus receive their copies by mail.
So I won’t be renewing my subscription when it expires.

Mark

[gdrabs]

What a shame they're not printing a magazine anymore. Too much time is spent in front of screens as is. I like a bit of time out, away from powered devices... S&T just lost another subscription I'm afraid.
Graham

[alan meehan]

Thats a real shame i always enjoy the magazine to read and have a good collection as well it's good to use as a reference to something I have read and can go and look it up. change is not always good maybe they should have done a poll before they changed

[cgoulden]

I’ve been happily reading the digital version of Australian Sky and Telescope on my iPad for a few years now. It looks like the October 2023 edition is late. It’s normally published in the middle of the prior month. Anyone know if the magazine is still going strong?

[Merlin66]

I have a full bound collection of Sky&Telescope since Vol1, number 1 in 1941.
They provide a great source of goto reference material.


I also have the DVD version which unfortunately has difficulty playing with current DVDs (I did find a work around....)


I'd be very sad to hear that the US version of S&T had gone electronic only.
Let's hope they have sufficient subscriptions to maintain the current published version.

[ad602000]

I've tried email and phone for the past week got no reply to email and no one is answering the phone:(

[Crater101]

Clicking on the Paragon Media website link gets a message of

"SECURE CONNECTION FAILED - SSL ERROR INTERNAL ERROR ALERT".


I've tried the link from a laptop, a desktop PC, and via mobile telephone through differing providers with the same result. Not looking good...

[brisen]

According to a post I saw on a local astro Facebook page Australian Sky & Telescope is no more. The poster had been unable to contact them and subsequently contacted the company hosting the electronic version. They confirmed the demise of A&ST. Apparently the October issue will not be forthcoming.

Brian

[UniPol]

If this is the case it will be the second time I’ve been done on my subscriptions. I recall Sky & Space went under back when and I still had over a year left on the subscription. Regarding Australian Sky & Telescope, the cover sheet which came with my postal subscription showed the number of remaining copies yet the digital version via email had no such indication so I don't know how many copies are still owed. It will be interesting to see if we receive a refund for the remaining copies.

The following diatribe from the publisher, Ian Brooks, sent with the first digital issue in July seems rather moot now particularly as we were given two extra copies owing to our “continued support”.

Dear valued subscriber,

Due to increased print and distribution costs, we have found that it is no longer viable to produce hard copies of Australian Sky & Telescope. Instead, we will be issuing you with digital versions of each magazine which can be found here. Australian Sky & Telescope has been serving the astronomical community for almost twenty years and will continue to provide the latest news from around the world and the galaxies in the new format, Every four to five weeks you will receive an email link to the latest edition, which you can read online, download or print your favourite articles.

As a way of saying thank you for your continued support we’ve added two additional issues to the end of your subscription.

I trust you understand the reasons for the changes and thank you for your understanding.
Clear skies

Ian Brooks
Publisher

[GrahamL]

There is data around to say revenue from print magazines has been modestly increasing over the last few years so theres still a market out there.

I like the paper in your hand part .. my father got my mother ( book person lifelong) a kindle and she never once looked at it gave it to me ..and i couldnt give it away quick enough

[gaa_ian]

Looks like they have gone under Merlin, such a loss for the Astronomy community!

[Merlin66]

Ian,
I think you refer to the Australian edition not the American.

[gaa_ian]

Hi Merlin
You are correct I am referring to the Australian edition, many unhappy people who have not only done their subscription. Not only that but no more Australian content !

[Saturnine]

Along with many others, I too am disappointed that AS&T has seemingly disappeared. Have every copy of the Aus edition plus the 2 electronic ones and I can understand why the print copy wasn't viable any more but it would have been nice to have been informed that the digital version was not a viable option any more either.
Wasn't that long ago that I'd renewed my subscription and to lose the money, though not a large amount in the grand scheme of things is really annoying. Same thing happened when Sky & Space folded, if anyone remembers that far back.
What would be an appropriate outcome would be that any outstanding subscription money be transferred to the parent American S&T for digital copies of their magazine. May not be possible from a business perspective but just a thought , in case the local publisher happens to visit this forum .

[Peter Ward]

The demise of AS&T was hidden in plain sight long before the magazine folded.
A quick look at the index of advertisers revealed very slim pickings....something
I pointed to a while ago. But go but just one more step, a lack of support for local vendors meant they were not in a position to spend on advertising.

Some local vendors did themselves no favours either, by not responding to significant pricing differentials to gear that could be acquired from foreign shores.
Everybody likes to save a dollar....but often forget that lack of support, even when the cost differential is minimal, can have unforeseen consequences.

[dabbeldi]

And I just received the official email that Australian Sky and Telescope is no more - pretty sad.
I still receive the hard copy of the American version - good to hear that they will include at least some southern hemisphere content from next year. Let's hope that print version continues at least.

[glend]

The market is global now. People will buy where they can save the most, especially now. Astronomy gear is a luxury item, hobbiest with money, and a shrinking market anyway. There are few young folks getting into it, and the old guys are not doing it as much, if at all.

[UniPol]

Received the same email this morning, no mention of refunding the remaining subscription which in my case would be at least 12 months. Here is what the email said:

Dear AS&T Subscribers,
As you are aware, Sky & Telescope is no longer being published in Australia. AS&T has been an important part of my life for more than 18 years, and due to circumstances beyond my control, it is with great sadness and personal regret that we have had to close all magazines in our small stable and wind down our publishing company. It has been extra difficult to say goodbye to AS&T.
I have been in touch with Peter Tyson, editor in chief of the U.S. edition of Sky & Telescope, and he would like to offer all AS&T subscribers the following:
•Download two free digital issues of Sky & Telescope, so you can decide whether, now that AS&T has published its final issue, you’d like to subscribe to the U.S. edition, either print or digital. Because of Australian privacy laws, you will need to opt in to receive emails from Peter in order to access the two free issues. (You can opt out anytime.)
•Subscribe to free online S&T newsletters, including their weekly bulletin of breaking astronomy news and periodic emails about new astronomy products and S&T tours. (You can unsubscribe at any time.) Peter tells me that, with AS&T’s regrettable closure, the U.S. edition plans two new pieces of content, both to be created monthly by former AS&T editor Jonathan Nally:

•A Southern Hemisphere Sky Chart in every print and digital issue of Sky & Telescope beginning with the
January 2024 issue. The chart will appear right after the Northern Hemisphere chart and will include brief observing tips.
•A Southern Hemisphere observing blog that will appear monthly on skyandtelescope.org.
In short, Peter would like to welcome you into the S&T fold, if you’d like, and hopes that these new pieces of content will help ease the loss of AS&T.

To find links to download the free digital issues and to sign up for S&T newsletters, please click here to go to a
special webpage set up just for Australian Sky & Telescope subscribers. Note that this offer is good
through December 31, 2023. No obligation, just a great opportunity to continue your passion for the
science and hobby of stargazing.

Thanks.
Ian Brooks
Publisher

[Saturnine]

Thanks for the heads up, just checked my email and there is one from AS&T with the same message. Will certainly take up the US S&T offer and see what value there may be in continuing a subscription.
Would still like to get my money back from the local publishers for the balance of my local subscription though.

[Rainsey]

I too have a subscription albeit Digital with Zino. I only found out that S&T was no longer being published when I enquired why the latest copy was, I think August from memory.


I contacted the Australian Publishing company and got an all but pathetic one liner saying we no longer print it ..... thats it, nothing more.


I then reached out to Zino to be told I could not get a refund for the remaining period of my subscription ( 4 issues ) but could only get a voucher for something else.



A follow up satisfaction survey from Zino to me was replied back with a scathing response to which, with no further correspondence, they supposedly refunded ( yet to seen ) subscription.

[Astro1969]

The annoying thing is Zinio is still offering up subscriptions to the AS&T magazine. Surely this is illegal as it is offering a service/item that is unobtainable?

[csastro25]

Hi All:D:question:

just return to Ice in space after a absent for a while, and wanted to catch up what was going on in the astronomy world, went to the newsagent and found out that the Australian Sky & Telescope is no more but digital version now.

Where did it go??:help:how do we subscribe to it now.?? That magazine has been part of my life for as long as i have been doing astronomy and astrophotography.. this is a shame. :sadeyes:
this is what i found on some site about the cooperation...:confused2:


"In 2005, Sky Publishing Corporation was acquired by New Track Media, a portfolio company of the private equity firm Boston Ventures. In 2014, New Track was sold to F+W Media. Following the mid 2019 bankruptcy of F+W media, the magazine was sold to the American Astronomical Society.

Sky & Telescope - Wikipedia

Wikipedia"

[Saturnine]

Hi csastro25 - Australian Sky & Telescope ceased trading last year, in both magazine and digital forms. Subscribers were offered a digital USA subscription but no offer of a refund for the balance of our local subscription.

[Ryderscope]

One small consolation in this fiasco is that I’ve just noticed that the issues in my digital subscription still exist and can be accessed via my Zinio app. I started the digital subscription with the February/March 2019 issue and therefore have the continuing issues up until they folded with the last issue being August/September 2023.

Thinking about this as I write though I’m going to look to see if I can download a PDF copy of the issues in case Zinio stop hosting the back copies.

[Matthieu]

The Southern Astronomer first edition is available now at https://www.southernastronomer.com/. It's only digital but is fully relevant to our part of the world.

[EpickCrom]

Hi Matthieu, thanks for letting us know about this fantastic resource!

[Astro1969]

I so miss my magazine to thumb through at work. My digital subscription to the US mag is nowhere near as enjoyable.

[Peter Ward]

Thanks for the link. Good to see the publishing void being filled.

I found Tim Davis' piece on gravity waves quite engaging.

I also chuckled seeing the name Prof. David Blair as he was a demonstrator/Tech in the Physics Department at my old Alma Mater (UWA)
back in the 1970's. He's clearly moved up from there!

Sadly, so many of our best and brightest move off-shore due to lack of opportunity and science funding in the land of Oz.