Astronomy (magazine)

Editorial Leadership Changes

AstroMedia Corp., the company Walther founded to publish Astronomy in Milwaukee, hired Richard Berry as editor shortly after launch. Berry expanded the publication's scope by creating offshoot magazines including Odyssey aimed at young readers and Telescope Making for hobbyists. In 1992, Richard Berry left the magazine and Robert Burnham took over as chief editor. Kalmbach discontinued Deep Sky and Telescope Making magazines during this transition period and sold Odyssey to another publisher. Bonnie Gordon assumed the editorship in 1996 and later became a professor at Central Arizona College. David J. Eicher, who had previously created "Deep Sky," became chief editor in 2002. Each leadership change brought strategic shifts in how the magazine balanced scientific reporting with hobbyist content.

Who founded Astronomy magazine and when was the first issue published?

Stephen A. Walther launched the first issue of Astronomy magazine in August 1973 from a small office near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What happened to Richard Berry after he edited Astronomy magazine for several years?

Richard Berry left the magazine in 1992 and Robert Burnham took over as chief editor during that transition period.

Which company purchased Astronomy magazine in 1985 and what changed afterward?

Milwaukee hobby publisher Kalmbach bought Astronomy magazine in 1985 bringing it under larger corporate management and shifting from Walther's original independent operation.

How many copies does Astronomy magazine circulate monthly according to recent figures?

Astronomy holds the position of largest circulation astronomy magazine with monthly readership reaching 84,490 copies.

When did Firecrown Media purchase both Astronomy and Kalmbach Media's railroad interest magazines?

Firecrown Media purchased both Astronomy and Kalmbach Media's railroad interest magazines in 2024 representing the latest chapter in the magazine's business history spanning nearly five decades.

Astronomy (magazine).

Editorial Leadership Changes

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Common questions

Who founded Astronomy magazine and when was the first issue published?

What happened to Richard Berry after he edited Astronomy magazine for several years?

Which company purchased Astronomy magazine in 1985 and what changed afterward?

How many copies does Astronomy magazine circulate monthly according to recent figures?

When did Firecrown Media purchase both Astronomy and Kalmbach Media's railroad interest magazines?

Corporate Ownership History

Content Structure And Columns

Supplementary Publications

Circulation And Competition