July AS&T review.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 09-06-2005, 05:53 PM

If you haven't got it and don't want to know what's in it, don't read any further.

First impressions. I thought I was picking up a Time Life magazine when I saw the cover. Big bold and black and white Albert.

Second impressions. Four hours to read cover to cover. A very enjoyable read for a rainy/cloudy afternoon. Yep there are some really interesting imported articles in there. I especially enjoyed the "Capturing the colours of the Moon" (with "colours" spelt correctly

), "Automate your Backyard Observatory", (look out Striker), and the 15th birthday hubble images. But my favourite would have to have been the combination infrared and visible light image of M104. It put a whole new perspective on that amazing galaxy.

What about the Australian and New Zealand content. As usual AS&T have done a great job on the really important section on "Observing & Exploring". Really enjoyed Greg Bryants "Pointers to the Night's Diversity" and David Seargent's "Stand by for Imact". The article by Greg Bryant on the Sag region while interesting to read and accompanied by an excellent image was a bit short i felt. I was just getting into it and it finished. Roger Davis's nocturnal encounter brought back a couple of funny memories of similar situations.

There were a couple of let downs I felt. I would have liked to have read a bit more about the Kiwi amateurs involved in finding OB-05-071. It doesn't happen very often that amateurs on the lower part of the globe are so directly involved in such an important find and to only give one brief paragraph in the article didn't really encompass their contribution to the find.

The other disappointment was in the buyers guide. The last couple of times I've read the equipment review there I would have liked to have seen a performance comparison between the products. Maybe this is something that can be looked into for future editions.

FWIW that's my 2 cents worth.

iceman (Mike) · #2 09-06-2005, 08:55 PM

I've given it just a quick flick, not an indepth read, but the first thing that stood out to me was the "site review" of astrotips.com (in the US).. Sure it's a nice site but there's some other local sites right here in Australia that would surely be better to feature in an Aussie mag?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 09-06-2005, 09:02 PM

Really???

Jonathan · #4 09-06-2005, 09:14 PM

Good to see it's out already. I was reading my June AS&T mag the other night and it says on p83 "Next Issue: on sale July 13". It had me worried!

Greg Bryant · #5 09-06-2005, 09:21 PM

Jonathan,

That was an unfortunate typo about the next issue. July 13 is actually the newsagent appearance date for our August issue (which we're now laying out).

Regarding Mike's comment about reviewing astrosites, I'm a firm believer in saving the best for last

wavelandscott (Scott) · #6 09-06-2005, 09:23 PM

It is a good read!

I actually have the good fortune/misfortune in having a subscription to both the US version and our local Australian version...both gifts from family members...

Although there is some overlap in the two, so far I've enjoyed them both...there are enough differences to keep me busy turning the pages!

I do agree with 1ponders in that I would like to see more in the "equipment review section"...

Congrats to all who got pictures in this month...they look great!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 09-06-2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Bryant

Jonathan,
Regarding Mike's comment about reviewing astrosites, I'm a firm believer in saving the best for last

Gee Mike, that's a long time to wait

Rodstar (Rod) · #8 09-06-2005, 10:17 PM

I too have had a flick through the new edition today. Always great reading. Thanks Greg for your excellent contributions (as always).

iceman (Mike) · #9 15-06-2005, 01:14 PM

It's in the newsagent today, if non-subscribers are interested.

Argonavis (William) · #10 16-06-2005, 09:51 PM

I do agree with 1ponders in that I would like to see more in the "equipment review section"...

QUOTE]

The problem with this is:

1. They are expensive to do; and

2. they risk offending the advertisers, on whom these magazines rely to survive.

Other than that, one persons indispensible accessory is another useless toy. We all have very different preferences. The good thing about group gatherings is that you get a chance to look at other peoples toys and decide if they are for you.

Greg Bryant · #11 17-06-2005, 08:34 AM

Argonavis, [1ponders], Wavelandscott, and all,

Regarding equipment reviews, we do have an indepth one on Celeston's Advanced Series CG-5 mount appearing in our next issue.

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

Regards,