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09-07-2011, 02:33 AM
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The 'DRAGON MAN'
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
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None.
I grew bored with them all.
They all seem to lean more towards Astrophysics more than good old Astronomy nowdays. And the majority of gear reviews is top shelf stuff.
I think newbies to the hobby would be overwhelmed with scientific hoo-hah where they really crave lots of basic Astronomy tips, hints and lots more Telescope reviews. Not so much the top shelf stuff, but lots of beginners stuff. There's not much in any of the mags for beginners.
They used to be full of good basic info up until about 5 years ago.
Don't get me wrong, I like reading about astrophysics, but Astronomy mags for the last 5 years seem to have changed into Astrophysics mags with Telescope ads in them for Astrophotographers.
Just my view.
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09-07-2011, 08:35 AM
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AS&T Editor
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 352
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I noticed the comments about test reports in Australian Sky & Telescope and I thought people would be interested to know what equipment has in fact appeared in test reports in our last 8 issues (my policy as Editor is to run at least 1 test report or book review in each issue).
Aug/Sep 2010: Atik’s 314L+ CCD camera
Oct 2010: Saxon’s 82-deg widefield eyepieces
Nov/Dec 2010: SBIG’s SG-4 Autoguider
Jan 2011: Carina Mobile’s SkyFi wireless telescope controller
Feb/Mar 2011: Apogee’s Alta U9000 CCD camera and Meade’s 8-inch LightSwitch telescope
Apr 2011: Ekinox 4-inch refractor and GoTo mount, Baader Hyperion Mk III Zoom eyepiece, SBIG ST-8300M CCD camera, and William Optics FLT-98 refractor
May/Jun 2011: PlaneWave’s CDK Astrograph
Jul 2011: Book Review
In the Aug/Sep issue (to be mailed in a few days) is the Coronado double-stacked personal solar telescope. In our October issue is Orion’s 10-inch GoTo dob. Down the track is a 14-inch SkyWatcher dob and Explore Scientific’s 6-inch “David Levy Comet Hunter” scope.
There’s a mix of telescope, camera, and accessory reviews across a range of budgets.
An index to all our test reports is here:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com.au/Te...S/Default.aspx
Regards,
Greg
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09-07-2011, 12:16 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: all over the shop...
Posts: 2,098
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ballaratdragons
None.
I grew bored with them all.
They all seem to lean more towards Astrophysics more than good old Astronomy nowdays. And the majority of gear reviews is top shelf stuff.
I think newbies to the hobby would be overwhelmed with scientific hoo-hah where they really crave lots of basic Astronomy tips, hints and lots more Telescope reviews. Not so much the top shelf stuff, but lots of beginners stuff. There's not much in any of the mags for beginners.
They used to be full of good basic info up until about 5 years ago.
Don't get me wrong, I like reading about astrophysics, but Astronomy mags for the last 5 years seem to have changed into Astrophysics mags with Telescope ads in them for Astrophotographers.
Just my view.
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I have to agree with your opinion there Ken. Whilst I also occasionally enjoy reading about some aspects of cosmology and astrophysics - to a point - this is one aspect of most of the magazines which have stopped me from subscribing. As a result I only buy from the local newsagent when there content is of interest to me.
What I have always looked for in astronomy magazines is, as you have said, "good, basic information" - observational, practical information. In regards to AS&T these are all found in the centre few pages from contributors such as Les Dalrymple, Sue French, and Ross Gould.
In my opinion most of the glossy magazines on the market these days have steered away from many of the basic fundamentals of backyard astronomy. And I use the term "backyard" which in my opinion is just as relevant as using the term"amateur". If my memory serves me correctly, I used to read more articles about ATM projects, cheap and easy builds, barn door mount projects, etc etc. than we do these days. Why don't we see as many ATM projects these days? Perhaps because the market and advertising is all for pushing new scopes and gear.
AS&T (and others) do put together a quality publications, I am not disputing that, but sometimes I cannot justify the cost.
Remember this is my opinion only, from my observations as a backyard observer. Your perspective will no doubt be different.
Regards,
Stephen
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09-07-2011, 01:37 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 65
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Stephen,
I have always been a builder. I built my own 375 gallon acrylic aquarium, tear drop trailer, and telescope to name just a few. One thing I have noticed with younger people is they lack the desire to build. It seems as though they would rather just buy something that looks like it might involve a bit of research and work. In the states there is a serious lack of engineers and scientists which seems to validate me a bit.
With that said I agree with you guys. I mostly pick up the magazines looking for DIY articles and reviews of equipment that I can actually afford without having to open up a line of credit. Don't get me wrong some good astrophysical articles are great also. Maybe some good DIY articles will help bring new people into the hobby. You know the sono-tube Dobsonian type of builds that are easy to do and easy to acquire parts for. However, the later statement is becoming more difficult... Ultimately, I have no idea what articles best drive the astronomy magazine's sales. I would assume what is being printed is what the majority are looking for. All I can do is suggest what would get me to subscribe.
Edit: Oh, I forgot to mention. With DIY articles especially I like pictures, lots of them, and big ones too. No point in having a DIY article with three or four small pictures of somebodies beautiful build with great design features you cannot see.....
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11-07-2011, 08:59 AM
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Oh, I See You Are Empty!
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Laramie, WY - United States of America
Posts: 1,555
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Subscribe to:
- US Sky & Telescope
- US Astronomy
I purchase OZ Mags on a semi-regular basis and UK Mags when they appear (if the articles are different, sometimes they are not  )
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27-07-2011, 12:38 AM
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Alpha Centauri Bound
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Philippines
Posts: 14
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I have let my subscriptions lapse, but I've enjoyed US Astronomy Magazine the most, then US Sky and Tel.
In fact, I still have the first issue of Astronomy magazine (1973, I think). Good, thought-provoking articles, capturing the sense of adventure.
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12-08-2011, 09:05 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 55
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I subscribe to US Astronomy and I have fond memories of reading that magazine when I was 10 (25 years ago sigh....). I also like Aus Sky and Telescope - just wish it was published more often.
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12-08-2011, 09:40 AM
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star-hopper
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Terranora
Posts: 4,378
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S & t
I read the US S&T online and the Australian S&T on paper.
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12-08-2011, 10:25 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bright, Vic, Australia
Posts: 2,187
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No subscriptions but I get every issue of AS&T and Sky At Night. Equipment reviews (scopes, accessories, AP gear) remain unread - not that I don't do lots of observing & Ap, just that I'm not in the market for anything. AS&T has lots of good articles & enough Oz content to keep me satisfied - it's a fantastic publication given the market, IMO. Sky At Night has a broad range of informative articles, and a SHem sky guide. I like that they have several pages devoted to snippets of astro news. Good for people like me with short attention spans. CD is a bonus - rainy day stuff but liked their Apollo series and occasionally you pick up some useful free software.
Cheers -
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23-08-2011, 12:30 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waitakere Ranges, New Zealand
Posts: 2,260
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AS&T for me. I haven't subscribed to an astronomy publication for 8 years but started again in 2010 and so far I have liked every issue.
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23-08-2011, 02:38 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Penrith, Sydney
Posts: 558
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+1 for Aus Sky & Tel. Good mag, good articles. More DIY would be good. But in many ways, the rationale for building your own is diminishing. It is cheaper to buy ready-made. And it works better. And you get it faster. The only good reasons left to DIY are "enjoyment" (which is valid if intangible), as a learning exercise, and because what you want is not available commercially.
Regards,
Tony Barry
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24-08-2011, 09:20 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 4,563
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The only one I read on a regular basis is Astro Photo Insight, which is electronic.
When going on holiday I will grab what looks good from the newsagency, often an Aust S&T and something else. Although I rarely get to reading most of them so wonder why I spend the money
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24-08-2011, 11:04 PM
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Moving to Pandora
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Swan Hill
Posts: 7,102
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Australian Sky & Telescope for me its the best mag ever and i love the dudes that do up some of the articles in them i get much better enjoyment out of reading AS&T than the Womens Weekly magazine 
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24-08-2011, 11:22 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 26,620
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Yeah there's a vast difference between the astro sections of both of these magazines isn't there Jen?
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24-08-2011, 11:49 PM
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Moving to Pandora
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Swan Hill
Posts: 7,102
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25-08-2011, 04:51 AM
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#6363
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Coast NSW
Posts: 1,267
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I buy AS&T because of the local observing content.
I also buy Sky at Night because to me, the articles seem to be explained better. Maybe it just suits my reading style. I can barely understand Patrick Moore on the DVD too, but that just adds to the entertainment value.
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25-08-2011, 07:22 PM
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100% visual observing
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Isle of Wight, England
Posts: 113
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I buy Astronomy Now and I also get the US subscription-only mag Amateur Astronomy which has a bit of Aussie content - 'Shorts from Down Under' and the 'Dr. Nervo Shatterini quiz'.
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06-10-2011, 09:47 AM
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Chronic aperture fever
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 393
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I pick up AS&T every month and occasionally Sky at Night. The articles in AS&T are usually great but each month I find myself skipping more articles than I actually read. I'd agree with Ken that it's a bit astrophysics heavy - some of these articles are good, but I really struggle to read others. I also skip right over the astrophotography content. Weighing up whether or not to continue buying it, truth be told.
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06-10-2011, 02:41 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NSW Country
Posts: 3,586
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I see plenty of young people building all manner of projects.
The difference these days is the cost. It used to be that if you built yourself you could put together an 8" reflector for a small fraction of the cost of a commercial scope, so there was much more impetus to get into DIY. Also, the commercial scopes didn't have heaps of advantages over home made (in the days before goto etc.)
Now when you can pick up a second hand C8 for under $500, the DIY route isn't as attractive to the starving students as it once was.
Having said that though, I'd love to see more beginner articles, and more DIY in the magazines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thercman
Stephen,
I have always been a builder. I built my own 375 gallon acrylic aquarium, tear drop trailer, and telescope to name just a few. One thing I have noticed with younger people is they lack the desire to build. It seems as though they would rather just buy something that looks like it might involve a bit of research and work. In the states there is a serious lack of engineers and scientists which seems to validate me a bit.
With that said I agree with you guys. I mostly pick up the magazines looking for DIY articles and reviews of equipment that I can actually afford without having to open up a line of credit. Don't get me wrong some good astrophysical articles are great also. Maybe some good DIY articles will help bring new people into the hobby. You know the sono-tube Dobsonian type of builds that are easy to do and easy to acquire parts for. However, the later statement is becoming more difficult... Ultimately, I have no idea what articles best drive the astronomy magazine's sales. I would assume what is being printed is what the majority are looking for. All I can do is suggest what would get me to subscribe.
Edit: Oh, I forgot to mention. With DIY articles especially I like pictures, lots of them, and big ones too. No point in having a DIY article with three or four small pictures of somebodies beautiful build with great design features you cannot see.....
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14-10-2011, 06:17 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 8,276
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Astronomy Technology today are offering a 12 month subscription online for $10USD at the moment
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