Astronomy Magazine

Get your night-sky information, along with news and interesting stories on the space sciences with Astronomy Magazine.

While Astronomy caters more to the backyard telescope astronomer (and I hazard to guess a slightly more hardcore group too) than anyone else, there is plenty of information in each issue that should be of interest to anyone who is interested in astronomy and space.

Written with the astronomic middle-guy in mind, you won't find hardcore scientific writings and you won't find astronomical observation information so arcane you'd never figure it out with your personal telescope, in each issue of Astronomy. Instead, the writing is at a level that is accessible to almost everyone and while that won't please people on either end – it does give the magazine a wide audience. Anyone with some interest in space should find something of interest here.

Magazine Basics

You'll find that a new issue of Astronomy each month and it is published 12 times a year. A subscription directly from the publisher will cost you $29.95. An issue on the newsstand is $5.50.

Each issue is around 100 pages and like almost all general-interest topical magazines today, there's almost an even split between editorial content and advertisements. Advertisements are throughout the entire magazine and while they don't break up the main stories and features, you will find some sort of advertisement on most pages.

There are two major sections in each issue of Astronomy, the Features section and the Departments section.

Within Features is the meat of an issue, this is where the cover stories are, along with several other in-depth stories. The features are broken down in two various topics that generally fall along the lines of the cover story, astronomic science, solar system observations, deep-sky observations, travel, and equipment to name just a few. Generally though, if it's got something to do with astronomy and/or space, you will find it covered in the pages of Astronomy. Each of these stories are several pages long and are generally unbroken by advertising, or at the very least, the ads are kept to a minimum throughout the story.

Departments on the other hand is where you'll find the recurring stories, columns and editorials in each issue of Astronomy. From the almost universal letter from the Editor to a quick look at astronomical occurrences in the month's sky. You'll find stories and columns on scientific aspects of astronomy and observational astronomy. In "News," you have a monthly round-up of the latest news in the astronomy world, from interesting sites to observe to scientific advances. "Ask Astro" lets readers send in their own questions and get detailed answers, while the "Reader Gallery" gives you a chance to show off your best sky shots. You can also find out information on what's on Astronomy's website (http://www.astronomy.com) and what's coming up in the next issue.

In both the Features and Departments, stories and articles are richly illustrated with photographs, diagrams and illustrations. The diagrams and illustrations are detailed enough to give readers a great handle on what's being explained and the photographs at times are simply amazing.

Thoughts

You'll find stories that run the spectrum in each issue of Astronomy. There are articles on the theoretical inner-workings of supernovae jets, the early results of the Cassini Probe at Saturn, a look at Venus' transit across the sun and monthly guides to the night sky to just name a few.

Even though I'm not a backyard astronomer (I last hauled out my parents' telescope years ago), I'm an avid space and astronomy fan. Each issue of Astronomy helps me explore the galaxy and the universe. From amazing photographs of stars, galaxies and more to in-depth stories on the results from various space probes, you'll find it in an issue of Astronomy. Plus the observing information really is handy, even for those of us without telescopes (or the umph to actually be bothered with a telescope). The articles are well written and richly illustrated with photographs and diagrams and should you be out one night with binoculars, you just might be able to pick up on something you read.

Plus you could always show off in front of a bunch of people without any sky watching background…you know, "Hey look at that over there."

While I don't subscribe to Astronomy, I do regularly pick it up, especially when I see an intriguing cover story. This time it was the early information from the Cassini mission and the magazine didn't let down. With early photographs from the probe and a discussion of what it will accomplish (and might learn), the story was very engaging and interesting to read.

I love space and Astronomy is a welcome addition to my magazine rack.

Final Take

While the price of a subscription is somewhat high (though you can find it cheaper online) and the newsstand price is just as high, Astronomy is a magazine that anyone with an interest in space and sky watching should have, at least occasionally.

You'll get information, articles and stories and sky watching, astronomic equipment, along with news from space probes and articles on theoretical ideas. In addition to the varied topics, you'll get great photography and richly illustrated articles that help drive home their points. While there are a significant amount of advertisements (which you'd think would keep the cost down), it's not overwhelming and also provides a good resource should you be shopping for some astronomic gear.

I don't think anyone with an interest in the space would be disappointed with Astronomy Magazine.