What kinds of images does the magazine look for?

Astronomical images submitted to Sky Publishing should be inherently interesting and aesthetically appealing, but need not be of a scientific nature. Typical S&T subjects include the Sun, Moon, planets, constellations, deep-sky objects (star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies), eclipses, conjunctions, meteors, occultations, rainbows, halos, auroras, and landscapes including one or more celestial objects. In addition to our Gallery and Skyscapes showcases, we use amateur images on the magazine's cover, as illustrations for articles, and occasionally on our Web site, in books, and in other products.

Images depicting people, observatories, equipment, or weather phenomena will not be considered unless they are submitted as part of a proposal for an article to which they are relevant. This applies to paintings, drawings, and other artwork too.

Ultimately, the decision to use a particular image will depend greatly on the quality of your picture and how it fits in with our schedule of upcoming articles and compares with materials already in our files. Prospective contributors should review several recent issues of the magazine to determine our photographic style and preferences.

As a matter of editorial policy, Sky Publishing does not and will not knowingly publish images that are fraudulent or misleading. Composites and photo-illustrations are always described as such.

How do I submit my images?

When submitting photographs, keep your negatives and original slides (transparencies). Send only high-quality prints (preferably glossies not larger than 8 x 10 inches) or duplicate slides. If we need your originals, we'll ask for them.

For initial inquiries by e-mail, you may scan your negatives or prints and include the digital files as JPEG attachments. Send only low-resolution images sufficient for viewing, say 640 x 480 pixels in size at a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi). If we wish to use your images, we may ask for the original negatives or slides so we can make high-resolution scans ourselves. Note that we do not review work on personal Web pages; you must send us copies of your images if you want us to consider them.

When we ask for publication-quality images obtained with digital cameras or astronomical CCD cameras, please send us your full-frame, full-resolution files, preferably in TIFF format rather than the camera's native format. The same applies to video frame grabs. You may send high-resolution files on a CD-ROM, Zip disk, or floppy disk (in descending order of preference).

Images of transient events such as eclipses, meteor showers, occultations, or conjunctions should be submitted at the earliest possible time, as we often try to cover such events in the issue then already in production. Images may be in color or black and white. Aside from prints, we accept all film formats (35-mm, medium format, and 4 x 5 transparencies).

When using a digital camera to capture the Sun, Moon, or planets, remember to use the camera's highest-quality image setting (minimum JPEG compression or, preferably, TIFF). Consult your camera manual if you're not sure how to do this. Don't make changes to the images like adjusting their color, size, sharpness, brightness, contrast, cropping, or orientation — just download them directly from the camera and send them to us. (If you rename a JPEG file, please use Rename rather than Save As, or you'll inadvertently double the JPEG compression.) Feel free to provide a print of how you would like the image to appear. Don't send multiple images that are virtually the same — edit your selection and limit what you send us to "the best of the best" for consideration.

If we accept any of your images, you may send us the high-resolution files either as e-mail attachments or on a CD or Zip disk. Or you may upload your images to an FTP site and send us the address by e-mail so we can go there and download them.

Be sure to protect all your images. Photographic prints should have stiff cardboard inserts to prevent folds and creases. Use clear plastic file sheets or sleeves for your slides and negatives. You should also write or stamp "Photographs - Do Not Bend" on the outside of the envelope. For CDs and floppy or Zip disks, use plastic cases and padded envelopes.

When we request your original materials, please consider using registered mail or other traceable means of shipment and insuring them accordingly.