Sky and telescope mag

beren · #1 24-11-2004, 10:03 PM

The new mag should be coming out soon ......itll be interesting to see how different the format is from the main one and the names of any familar writers ......i wonder if the main one will still be sold here.

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #2 24-11-2004, 10:17 PM

I hope Sky and Space continues to survive after this is launched...nevertheless I will probably lineup at the newsagent to buy this when the Australian S&T comes out

iceman (Mike) · #3 25-11-2004, 06:21 AM

It will be interesting.. I dunno how much people who already have an S&T subscription will find in the aussie version.. maybe it'll just be 90% repeated articles from the US version with the 10% local content being ads of aussie companies (bintel and the like).

I don't currently have a US S&T subscription, so the aussie version might be the go for me..

I do think though, that Sky & Space will still go strong, it's a great looking mag now and there's no reason why it won't go toe-to-toe with S&T and even come out on top.. especially with S&S's great local content and articles.

Saturn%5 (Graeme) · #4 01-12-2004, 11:34 AM

Any idea when it is due out?

beren · #5 06-12-2004, 04:37 PM

Just picked up the new mag ......first impressions - same kinda of layout as the big one , johnathan nally is the editor he was the former editor of sky and space , not bad at all . after a brief look and without displaying loyalty i think when compared to sky and space i think the latter appeals more but i better leave the judgeing until i read it fully .

mch62 (Mark) · #6 06-12-2004, 04:45 PM

thanks for the heads up on the mag Aragorn

Mick (Michael) · #7 06-12-2004, 11:05 PM

Australian Sky & Telescope website is up and running as well, not much on it yet though.

http://www.austskyandtel.com.au/default.htm

iceman (Mike) · #8 07-12-2004, 06:26 AM

ooh interesting didn't know it was out already.. will have to head to the newsagent today to get myself a copy.

iceman (Mike) · #9 07-12-2004, 06:30 AM

blah I just bought my copy of Astronomy 2005, I could've got it for free by subscribing to Au:S&T!

Website looks ok, not much there yet but it's a start.. I think the monthly schedule will be good for them, and something they'll have over the 2-monthly Sky&Space..

I'm a big fan of S&S though, I guess i'll reserve judgement until i've had a read through and see what it's like after issues 2, 3 and 4..

mch62 (Mark) · #10 07-12-2004, 01:57 PM

Ditto here . Will have to be impressed before subscribing as i already have a 2 year subscription to the US one.
Have a copy of the first one and it is OK but nothing to get excited about at the moment.

Dave · #11 08-12-2004, 06:14 PM

Just a quick note to let you all know, in reference to a previous comment, that SKY & SPACE Magazine have plans to publish monthly, in fact the decision rested a while back on either an increase in pages (and content) or a monthly mag of the same size.

We opted to give you all a much thicker magazine and more articles, so we immediately went to 100 pages at no extra cost!

Included in this decision was the introduction of new ideas and article topics. We are hoping for a monthly publication reasonably early in the new year, after new equipment gets installed, along with the introduction of our free email 'News Updates' service giving you all the latest breaking news and stories in astronomy and space science.

Clear skies!

Dave47tuc (David) · #12 08-12-2004, 07:38 PM

Dave , All

I picked up Aus, S&T today, not read much of it yet but it seems ok. Some articles are the same as the US edition but all in all it looks ok.

Glad to hear S&S will go monthly it is over due on that issue.

Time will tell if we can have 2 Astronomy mags in Aus. We did have in the early 90s but what i considerd the best magazine going Southern Sky, sadly went.

I will be happy to buy both as long as the standerd keeps up. S&S has been excellent in the last two issues so good luck.

Best

Mick (Michael) · #13 08-12-2004, 09:01 PM

S&S is a good read. I just hope it turns up regularly.

iceman (Mike) · #14 09-12-2004, 06:49 AM

A monthly S&S will be fantastic, and I think that'd have to be the next logical step to compete with and stay ahead of the Au:S&T.

It's going to put more pressure on deadlines and getting articles together for a much shorter timeframe, and I hope that doesn't compromise the quality.

And being released on-time, whether it's monthly or 2-monthly, is definitely important. Noone wants to see the delays that we saw in the middle of last year where it was many months before the rehashed S&S was released. But the last couple of issues have been dead on time so hopefully I have nothing to worry about

Having 2 good mags will be good for amateur astronomers, but for the casual reader I don't think they'll pick up both like we will, so it'll tough competition for the 2 mags to pick up (and/or retain) the casual reader.

mch62 (Mark) · #15 09-12-2004, 05:26 PM

Ditto with Ice there about last year.
I didn't renew my subscription after that mainly because I got short changed an issue in all the going on.
Gave up trying to sort the problem out as there was a language barrier with who ever was on the other end of the phone.
I don't want to be racist but I could not understand a word they were saying.
Only buy it now from the newsagent, time will tell if I re-subscribe.
The last issue was definitaly a step in the right direction though.

iceman (Mike) · #16 09-12-2004, 06:50 PM

I read that those with subscriptions will receive a free issue to make up for the one that was lost during the hyatus earlier in the year.

I picked up my copy of the Au:S&T today, had a brief look through, read a few articles, skimmed some others.

overall it's not too bad, it doesn't break any new ground or do anything new, for looks and layout I like S&S better but i'll probably continue to buy AS&T at least for a little while.

It's the same advertisers in each magazine with the same prices on offer, i was hoping for something new in that regard but I suppose with so few real suppliers in australia, they're all going to get onboard with both magazines.

Dave · #17 09-12-2004, 08:07 PM

Hi again guys

Thanks to you all for your support, constructive criticism and ideas, it's good to see so many of you are behind us.

Look, this is the last time I'll mention the SKY&SPACE magazine issue but I'd like to take the opportunity for a few replies:

Thanks Mark for your feedback, the past contact problems you encountered with a certain individual at SKY&SPACE are now finished. We accept it happened but it was happening without anyone else's knowledge, and that person is now not with us. The idea for an article on the Toucam has been passed on. Yes, there was a problem getting the mag out on time but that too was the result of the above situation. It will be on time from now on!

Rumples Riot: thanks to you also for your input. Your great photoshop processing idea likewise has been passed onto the managing editor.

Hi Aragon: The Go-To scope article is definitely worth looking at in depth and that too is now under consideration. Thanks for your support mate.

Mike: more tech articles and how-to readers tips huh? ...OK, that's what we're aiming at. If any of you have any 'tips' let us know. You should find some in the next issue or two. As for more readers photos- well Mike, "we can't print 'em if they aint sent in" if you know what I mean. It's up to you guys/gals and other readers to submit pics. We'll print them with full descriptions and credit as received. Regarding your forthocming trip to Port Macquarie, look me up and we'll hopefully get together. I'm no longer at the observatory there, we just don't orbit in the same direction anymore... nuff said?

Anyway, there is one thing I would like to add here before I head off and do some of the things they pay me for. I produce a weekly astronomy/space E-Newsletter called 'Astronomy Media Services' .... ostensibly set up to inform the electronic & printed media about breaking news and recent discoveries in space and astronomy. It's full of news items gleaned from a large variety of sources and a good many private people have asked for a copy as well, SO, if any of you would like to have it sent to you it would be my pleasure. Just email me at dave.reneke@skyandspace.com.au and I'll put you on the secure mailing list.

All the best till next time, and clear skies!