Popular Astronomy (US magazine)
Popular Astronomy is an American magazine for amateur astronomers. It first appeared in September 1893 and ran until 1951. During its original run, it published 10 issues per year, totaling 59 volumes. It was the successor to The Sidereal Messenger (1882–1892). The magazine was based in Northfield, Minnesota and published in English.
William W. Payne was the first editor (1893–1909), with Charlotte R. Willard as co-editor (1893–1905). He was followed by Herbert C. Wilson (1909–1926). The final editor of the initial run was Curvin Henry Gingrich, a professor at Carleton College, who edited until his sudden death in 1951. His passing was noted with a six-page tribute by Dr. Frederick C. Leonard in the August 1951 issue. The magazine helped develop amateur variable-star observing in the United States.
Popular Astronomy was revived in 2009 by John August Media, LLC and is now hosted online at TechnicaCuriosa.com for amateur astronomers. In 2017, it returned online as part of TechnicaCuriosa.com along with sister titles Popular Electronics and Mechanix Illustrated.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:27 (CET).