Australian content within "Sky & Telescope" ?

[apaulo (Paul)]

Hello Everyone,

I have subscribed to the "Australian Sky & Telescope" magazine for some time now and I have always wondered how many of the articles are actually written by Australian professional and Amateur astronomers? I realise there is local content within the magazine but the feature articles seem to be American based. I hope I am wrong, because we have many qualified by university level education, my wife being one of them and an excellent university in Victoria (Swinburne) as a resource.
Can anyone enlighten me?
Regards Paul

[h0ughy (David)]

I have dropped my Australian S&T subscription because there was not much difference between that and the US one except you miss out on a month of articles - note this is my own opinion. at least the US one is monthly. on the downside not very many Australians get images in the US mag. with the change of editors there was a marked change in the mag itself. I think the net has a lot to do with it as well. sites like IIS and others now allow for more access to those Australian celebrities like Mike "I discovered a Galaxy" Sidonio

I think the market is just not there to keep a mag independent and afloat.

[BeanerSA (Paul)]

The last AS&T was the last one I will ever buy. A review straight out of the US mags, with no indication of where to buy locally (if at all) and no Aus pricing.

[traveller (Bo)]

Being a specialised hobby in a very small market (in terms of population), it is up to people like us to contribute to AS&T.
I did a quick write up of the Snake Valley Astro camp last year and managed to have it published. I also sent a blurb to the editor late last year of my visit to Keilder observatory. I got an acknowledgment, but no green light to write up the article yet.
It's always difficult to write local content because of the online reviews etc and the time lag between submitting an article, getting it edited and then finally printed. Plus we always fall behind in terms of product launches compared with US Europe and even Asia. So yes we do lack local content, but the exciting developments do happen (such as Mike's discovery of a new galaxy). It is up to us to write and for the editors to respond and publish.
My two cents.
Bo

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

We had an article about the March 2015 Snake Valley camp in an issue last year and the process was very easy and they are keen to accept articles. One of our SV guys (Bo) did it and I think he enjoyed the process.
I agree that the lack of Aust content is a worry but we are the ones who can do something about it!!
Equipment reviews will often be an issue as the manufacturers are unlikely to supply review samples here in Australia, but lack of articles can be solved if WE do it.

Edit: I see Bo beat me to the punch!!

Cheers

Malcolm

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by BeanerSA

The last AS&T was the last one I will ever buy. A review straight out of the US mags, with no indication of where to buy locally (if at all) and no Aus pricing.

I am assuming that you are referring to the review of the Nikon D810a in the latest issue? If so this is not something that any of AS&Ts normal retail advertisers would normally carry, it would be sold through camera shops so I don't think it is reasonable to expect them to list those. I also think it is not reasonable to expect them to do a separate Australian review when the US article is more than adequate. With the pricing, this as a very new product and pricing may not have even been available at the time. I do note that major camera retailers (Teds, Michaels etc.) only do this as a special order.
I have just had a quick look at the articles today (only had a 30 minute window to eat lunch and have a quick glance through it and I can identify several Aussies among the contributors.

Cheers

Malcolm

[kittenshark (Cheryl-Ann Tan)]

Well had a problem with one of our suppliers changing their ad to include.... only US dealers. Great!