Re: David Levy moving to Astronomy

On Jan 4, 2:06 am, "Curtis Croulet" <calypte@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

I had a long chat with S&T's new editor, Bob Naeye, at the Pacific Astronomy
and Telescope Show in September. I told him that this past summer was the
first time in almost 50 years that I considered not renewing my
subscription. I felt that S&T had become too much like Astronomy. Whatever
the merits of Astronomy or lack thereof, there's no point in my getting two
versions of the same magazine. Bob told me to expect some forthcoming
changes to S&T. There'll be more on astrophotography in the magazine
(techniques & equipment, not pictures), and more of the main articles will
be written by scientists rather than editors. However, he denied that the
magazine has been "dumbed down" in recent years. His editorial in the Feb
'09 issue conforms to this view.


After reading Naeye's editorial I got as far as typing up nasty
letter, putting it in an envelope and putting a stamp on. I may mail
the letter, but I doubt this fool will care whether a 44 year
subscriber continues his subscription or not. I have 44 years bound
Sky and Telescope's on my bookshelf and I often refer to them,
particularly the Deep Sky Wonders and Telescope Making articles. It is
very clear that Seronik has dumbed down the telescope making section
compared to Bob Cox. Indeed Seronik has done more harm than good.
Saying that nobody builds their own scopes any more is foolish as a
quick search on the web will prove. Seronik's job is to encourage to
make people feel that it is impossible. Sue French has been able to
salvage Deep Sky Wonders, but I'm afraid she won't be around along. As
far as more astrophotography: I wonder just how many people can afford
a $1300 CCD camera and a $1500 mount (Orion prices) to make a 8 hour
exposure at an increasing rare dark site two hours from home . Looks
like Sky and Telescope is going to die off.
.

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