Sky & Telescope Appoints Robert P. Naeye Editor-in-Chief

By: David Tytell April 29, 2008 0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joel Toner VP & Publishing Director, New Track Media
855-638-5388 x2124, [email protected]

Cambridge, MA, April 29, 2008 — Sky & Telescope magazine, the iconic publisher of astronomy periodicals and books, announced today that it has appointed Robert P. Naeye to the position of Editor-in-Chief, succeeding Richard Tresch Fienberg, PhD, who will retire from the magazine this summer.

Mr. Naeye joins Sky & Telescope from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, where he has been serving as Senior Science Writer in the Astrophysics Science Division since February 2007. In accepting the position, Mr. Naeye becomes only the fifth Editor-in-Chief of the magazine in nearly 70 years. Dr. Fienberg has spent nearly 22 years with Sky & Telescope, serving in various positions, including 8 years as Editor-in-Chief.

"This is a highly successful magazine and a brand that is recognized by serious amateurs and professionals in astronomy throughout the world, so this change is important, particularly after the successful and stable leadership Rick Fienberg has provided," commented Stephen Kent, the CEO of New Track Media, which owns Sky & Telescope. "Bob Naeye is without question the right choice because, in addition to his qualifications as a writer and editor, he has worked with our team in the past, which means he knows the magazine and its people. He is at the same time someone who brings the perspective of an 'outsider', which means he can respect the traditions of this great title without being hidebound to them and he sees the opportunities we have going forward. We get freshness in a package that is familiar, and that doesn't happen often in this business."

Mr. Naeye added, "It's a tremendous honor to be hired as Editor-in-Chief of Sky & Telescope. The magazine has a longstanding tradition of excellence and integrity. Working with S&T's outstanding staff, we will build on that tradition and carry the magazine and website to new heights."

Rick Fienberg joined Sky Publishing Corp. in 1986 and has served in various positions since that time. He became Editor in 2000 and has been central to the periodical's expansion into foreign editions, books, tours, and other astronomy-related media endeavors. In retiring from the magazine, Dr. Fienberg has accepted the position of Visiting Scientist for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Phillips Academy in Andover (MA), where he will begin teaching in the fall. He will also maintain his association with Sky & Telescope by becoming a Contributing Editor simultaneous with Mr. Naeye's start date of June 2nd.

Mr. Naeye worked as a Senior Editor at Sky & Telescope from 2003 to 2007 and earlier in his career had served as Editor-in-Chief of Mercury magazine. He has authored two books and contributed to two others. In 2002, Mr. Naeye won the David N. Schramm Award for Science Journalism from the American Astronomical Society's High-Energy Astrophysics Division, and he received the Professional Astronomer of the Year Award from the Astronomical Association of Northern California the same year.

Sky Publishing was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. During its distinguished history, Sky & Telescope has maintained its position as the world's most respected astronomy magazine, serving amateur astronomers around the globe, and published in several international editions. In addition to Sky & Telescope, the company publishes digital media (SkyandTelescope.com), two annuals (Beautiful Universe and SkyWatch), and books, as well as offering astronomy-related tours. In 2006, the company was acquired by New Track Media, a multi-title publisher of consumer enthusiast magazines, books, e-media, and affinity clubs. Information regarding New Track Media is available at www.newtrackmedia.com.