Reviews For Astronomy Magazine


Excellent Magazine!

By far, this is my all-time favorite astronomy magazine, and its companion website is a fantastic, useful, up-to-date resource. This magazine has fantastic photos and illustrations. Its plethora of articles are well-written and diverse---from simple star-gazing techniques, to amateur astronomy, to serious astro-imaging, to NASA's greatest projects, to cosmic oddities like Wolf-Rayet stars. Occasionally, readers are treated to some astro-history or other stories relating astronomy to other topics such a mythology, history, philosophy, literature, biology, archaeology, current events, etc. [Review Update June 4, 2008: As an example of this last statement, the new July 2008 edition of Astronomy contains an intriguing article on a old mystery: "Did Ancient Astronomers Build Stonehenge?" by Dan Falk. The article opens dramatically with an eerie image of Stonehenge and Comet Hale-Bopp from 1997; this image is a well-placed spread (filling two pages), capturing the minds and imaginations of readers. As a second treat this month, the magazine also includes an Astrobiology article, "Are We Looking for Life in the Right Places?" by Daniel Pendick.)

The magazine always includes reliable features like a lovely "The Sky this Month" pull-out section that describes sky events, constellations, and objects as they will appear in the given month. "Ask Astro" answers many questions on space topics, and Phil Harrington's "Binocular Universe" article always helps viewers locate the treasures of the sky. Bob Berman's "Strange Universe" is a good read, usually with a dash of humor and / or personality.

Updated Note June 4, 2008:

As an eyeglass wearer, I am always sensitive to layouts, prints, and text. Astronomy magazine's fonts and visual design elements are bright, clear, and easy to read.

**Before you decide on this magazine, check out Sky & Telescope magazine and its reviews. I subscribe to both magazines and have found that each magazine has its own personality and readership. I prefer Astronomy, of course, as stated above; however, Sky & Telescope has some interesting features and notable strengths too. A visit to your local library or newstand can give you the opportunity to preview each magazine for yourself before signing onto a subscription. **

How Do I Know Which Magazine To Buy?

So, you are interested in astronomy and ready to pick up a subsciption to an astronomy magazine, but are not sure which magazine to purchase? First let me say, "Good for you!" I never go a month without a magazine. It is difficult to keep up to date with the night sky without a monthly guide.

But you are probably trying to decide whether to read "Astronomy" magazine or "Sky & Telescope". These are the two big North American competitors. The good news is, you won't go wrong. Both are excellent magazines and both are of similar quality, size, and usefullness. I regularly read both of them. The difference is a matter of subtle leaning. Astronomy magazine leans a little more toward the amateur. It includes monthly selections that will help a person who is learning the sky. It is a favorite of those who appreciate the beauty of the night sky. Sky & Telescope is a little more technical. It is written for someone who tackles the subject with the passion of a scholar. As I wrote, the difference is subtle. Either way, you won't go wrong.

Let me go out on a limb here. If you are reading this review and trying to decide, you probably will enjoy Astronomy magazine more.

UNLESS . . .

That is, unless you do not own a telescope and do own a pair of binoculars. Sky & Telescope includes a small "Binocular Highlight". It isn't large, less than a page, but it is enough to challenge you.

Which way do I personally lean? Last year I leaned toward Sky & Telescope and picked up occasional Astronomy magazines at the bookstore. This year I subscribe to Astronomy and pick up occasional Sky & Telescopes at the books store. Next year . . .who knows? I keep trying out different magazines and comparing them. I also subscribe to another astronomy magazine.

A final word, there are other serious contenders in the field of astronomy magazines. For example, "Sky at Night" has them both beat, but it costs a lot more, so I don't get it.

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