Patrick Moore's Yearbook finished

[spaceman_spiff]

I just heard the sad news that the yearbook is no longer going to be published by Macmillan! I was really looking forward to the next edition . Are there any alternatives that offer a similar level of detail and interesting articles?

Dan

[andrew s]

Had there been one it would have had needed a whole new meaning to ghost writing!

Andrew s

[Ouroboros]

I'm sorry to read this. I must say I haven't bought one for years, maybe even decades.  I think I've got most of my info about what's coming up from sites like this one, magazines like Astronomy Now and Sky at Night. The British Astronomical Association provides members with a yearly hand book and various other means of finding out what's in store in the sky. 

[kerrylewis]

That's a shame: it has become a bit of a tradition for my son to buy me a copy each year for Christmas, and I have them going back to 2000. I always found that it was a very pleasant reference book and it usually sits on my bedside table all year.

I thought it would go on being produced but I assume that with so many sources of information these days, its potential audience must be dwindling.

I shall miss it 

[LukeSkywatcher]

I was given the 2012 and 2013 editions as Christmas gifts. Great reference books.  A lot of the content changes very little year to year as many celestial events occur on the same date yr by yr. So even older editions still have relevance today and for the future.

[cloudnine]

Sad news indeed. I have 1962-2016. What will my family buy me for Christmas this year?

[LukeSkywatcher]

14 minutes ago, cloudnine said:

Sad news indeed. I have 1962-2016. What will my family buy me for Christmas this year?

Socks.

[spaceman_spiff]

I guess the BAA's handbook is an alternative but membership is a bit expensive. 

[Paul73]

I've had a few, and respect the tradition ellement. But, maybe these annuals have had their day??

I have more articals and Astro info at my finger tips on my tablet than could have been imagined 20 years ago. Together with the many  Internet forum ........ We are very lucky.

That said, one look at my bookshelves will confirm that logic and the actuality rarely match.

Paul

[bejay1957]

I used to buy this for myself every Crimbo, but ceased once I had the internet and apps on the puter - and now on tablet/smartphone; for my level of astronomy/stargazing there is no need for this type of paper 'source' anymore.

[Phil Fargaze]

I`ve noticed that there is the 2017 Guide to the Night Sky by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion. Also Astronomy Now magazine do their Year book and Paul Money does a neat little guide of events every month in his Night Scenes book. The BAA sell their hand book from their web site so you won`t need to be a member although it is mainly facts and figures without any articles.  I can`t think of a publication that can match the mix of monthly information and articles that was in Patrick Moore`s yearbook. I generally look forward to reading the night sky guide in Astronomy Now magazine every month along with the observing guides that feature a different constellation.

[Putaendo Patrick]

For anyone with a basic knowledge of French (or Flemish )  who needs facts and figures, the Annuaire (year book) of the Royal Belgian Observatory is very useful. Attractive printed copy for 13 euros (16 including postage), or download in PDF for free!

http://www.astro.oma.be/fr/informations/annuaire/

Would have thought Springer publishers would spring into the breach to replace the Patrick Moore Yearbook - but, as commented, there's so much material now on the Internet, perhaps it's just not viable.

[Bubble and Squeak]

On 11/19/2016 at 13:12, Phil Fargaze said:

 I can`t think of a publication that can match the mix of monthly information and articles that was in Patrick Moore`s yearbook. 

Well, there's BBC Sky at Night Magazines Yearbook. You know, the magazine of the TV show 'The Sky at Night'. Patrick Moore's TV show. Its been out every year since 2014.

[spaceman_spiff]

12 minutes ago, Bubble and Squeak said:

Well, there's BBC Sky at Night Magazines Yearbook. You know, the magazine of the TV show 'The Sky at Night'. Patrick Moore's TV show. Its been out every year since 2014.

The sky at night book is probably the one I'll get

[laudropb]

I have a full set of them and although for many years I have bought them out of habit, rather than for their content I will miss not getting one this year.