''Astronomy'' is a monthly
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
magazine
A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...
about
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
. Targeting
amateur astronomers
Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...
, it contains columns on sky viewing, reader-submitted
astrophotographs, and articles on astronomy and
astrophysics
Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline said, Astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the nature of the h ...
for general readers.
History
''Astronomy'' is a magazine about the science and hobby of
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
. Based near Milwaukee in
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha ( ) is the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Its population was 71,158 at the 2020 census. The city is adjacent to the Village of Waukesha.
History
The area tha ...
, it is produced by
Kalmbach Publishing. ''Astronomy''’s readers include those interested in astronomy and those who want to know about sky events, observing techniques, astrophotography, and amateur astronomy in general.
''Astronomy'' was founded in 1973 by Stephen A. Walther, a graduate of the
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UW–Stevens Point or UWSP) is a public university in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and grants associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees, as well ...
and amateur astronomer. The first issue, August 1973, consisted of 48 pages with five feature articles and information about what to see in the sky that month. Issues contained astrophotos and illustrations created by astronomical artists. Walther had worked part time as a planetarium lecturer at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and developed an interest in photographing constellations at an early age. Although even in childhood he was interested to obsession in
Astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
, he did so poorly in mathematics that his mother despaired that he would ever be able to earn a living. However he graduated in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and as a senior class project he created a business plan for a magazine for amateur astronomers. With the help of his brother David, he was able to bring the magazine to fruition. He died in 1977.
AstroMedia Corp., the company Walther had founded to publish ''Astronomy'' in Milwaukee, brought in Richard Berry as editor. Berry also created the offshoot ''
Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the '' Iliad'', ...
'', aimed at young readers, and the specialized ''Telescope Making''. In 1985, Milwaukee hobby publisher Kalmbach bought ''Astronomy''.
In 1992, Richard Berry left the magazine and Robert Burnham took over as chief editor. Kalmbach discontinued ''Deep Sky'' and ''Telescope Making'' magazines and sold ''Odyssey''. In 1996 Bonnie Gordon, now a professor at Central Arizona College, assumed the editorship. David J. Eicher, the creator of "Deep Sky," became chief editor in 2002.
The ''Astronomy'' staff also produces other publications. These have included ''Explore the Universe''; ''Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy''; ''Origin and Fate of the Universe''; ''Mars: Explore the Red Planet's Past, Present, and Future''; ''Atlas of the Stars''; ''Cosmos''; and ''50 Greatest Mysteries of the Universe''. There also was, for a time in the mid-2000s, a Brazilian edition – published by Duetto Editora – called ''Astronomy Brasil''. However, due mainly to low circulation numbers, Duetto ceased its publication in September 2007.
Articles and columns
''Astronomy'' publishes articles about the
hobby
A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing oth ...
and
science
Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence ...
of
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
. Generally, the front half of the magazine reports on professional science, while the back half of the magazine presents items of interest to hobbyists. Science articles cover such topics as cosmology, space exploration, exobiology, research conducted by professional-class observatories, and individual professional astronomers. Each issue of ''Astronomy'' contains a foldout star map showing the evening sky for the current month and the positions of planets, and some comets.
The magazine has regular columnists. They include science writer
Bob Berman, who writes a column called “Bob Berman’s Strange Universe”.
Stephen James O’Meara writes “Stephen James O’Meara’s Secret Sky,” which covers observing tips and stories relating to deep-sky objects, planets, and comets.
Glenn Chaple writes "Glenn Chaple’s Observing Basics", a beginner's column.
Phil Harrington writes "Phil Harrington’s Binocular Universe", about observing with binoculars. "Telescope Insider" interviews people who are a part of the telescope-manufacturing industry.
In each issue of ''Astronomy'' magazine, readers will find star and planet charts, telescope observing tips and techniques, and advice on taking photography of the night sky.
The magazine also publishes reader-submitted photos in a gallery, lists astronomy-related events, letters from readers, news, and announcements of new products.
''Astronomy'' may include special sections bound into the magazine, such as booklets or posters. Recent examples have included a Messier Catalog booklet, poster showing comet
C/2006 P1
Comet McNaught, also known as the Great Comet of 2007 and given the designation C/2006 P1, is a non-periodic comet discovered on 7 August 2006 by British-Australian astronomer Robert H. McNaught using the Uppsala Southern Schmidt Telescope. I ...
(McNaught) and historical comets, a Skyguide listing upcoming sky events, a Telescope Buyer's Guide; a poster titled "Atlas of Extrasolar Planets"; and a poster showing the life cycles of stars.
Popularity
''Astronomy'' is the largest circulation
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
magazine, with monthly circulation of 84,490. The majority of its readers are in the United States, but it is also circulated in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...
and internationally.
Its major competitor is ''
Sky & Telescope
''Sky & Telescope'' (''S&T'') is a monthly American magazine covering all aspects of amateur astronomy, including the following:
*current events in astronomy and space exploration;
*events in the amateur astronomy community;
*reviews of astronomic ...
'' magazine with a total circulation of 62,234 (2020).
See also
*
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...
*
Amateur telescope making
References
External links
*
{{Portal bar, Astronomy, Stars, Spaceflight, Outer space, Solar System
1973 establishments in Wisconsin
Amateur astronomy
Astronomy magazines
Magazines established in 1973
Magazines published in Wisconsin
Science and technology magazines published in the United States
Monthly magazines published in the United States
Mass media in Milwaukee