2012 June 29 at 06:59 by M

B (only cause it is different)

2012 June 29 at 07:02 by dave

B

2012 June 29 at 07:10 by PieterB

Option B - much more cheerful.

2012 June 29 at 07:11 by Claire Lee

B - the colours are gorgeous!

2012 June 29 at 07:12 by Fluxosaurus

B

2012 June 29 at 07:24 by Claire

C - looks very different from the other years

Or, I'll get new glasses and go with B - it's beautiful

A was used in 2006 btw

2012 June 29 at 07:41 by Mr Crispy

I will go with B although C is also very nice.

2012 June 29 at 08:07 by Anonymous

C

2012 June 29 at 08:21 by Vesuvia

B, more eye-catching though they're all great.

2012 June 29 at 09:00 by Mike

B looks different to the usual covers. Fresh

2012 June 29 at 09:23 by Sarah

B, if all three were lying on the desk I would be most inclined to pick up B.

2012 June 29 at 10:10 by Robert Groess

My eye was drawn to B immediately. B it is!

2012 June 29 at 10:35 by Kos

All three are great, but C’s the one!

2012 June 29 at 11:37 by Hannes Pieterse

A = B + C

2012 June 29 at 11:50 by Edward & Lynnette Foster

Albei van ons stem vir C

2012 June 29 at 19:32 by Jabie Bruwer

Dit tipeer `n teiken in die ruimte met `n kolskoot...my keuse!

2012 June 30 at 07:52 by Quintus Eksteen

B

2012 June 30 at 09:46 by Bruce in Toronto

A... ho hum

B... yaHOSfci

C... A picture of a "ghost" in living colour ... you gotta print that!

PS you're right.... the other respondents don't know what they're talking about. Neither do I. :D

2012 June 30 at 12:06 by Martin

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer A.

The whole page just seems more balanced.

2012 July 01 at 01:00 by Hans

C

2012 July 01 at 01:02 by Greg

I actually prefer A.

B looks too artificial.

2012 July 01 at 07:27 by Brandon

B

Most visually striking - nicely "textured" and the colours work well together.

2012 July 01 at 12:32 by gustav

B

2012 July 01 at 14:41 by Silverbullet

This publication has to compete with a host of other literature on the book shelves and news stands. To the best of my knowledge it has always had an interesting photo on the cover. All three of these options are interesting, however, I think B would attract greater interest from a wider cross section of the general public. More people are likely to pick it up to have a look, and of course when that happens the primary aim has been achieved. I vote for B.

2012 July 02 at 01:39 by Elsabe Brits

I look at this from a marketing point of few, and the fact that is has to sell, and attract buyers to pick it up. A cover is important. I vote for B

2012 July 02 at 04:30 by C

Personally, I like C best. It is uncluttered and evocative: the lettering stands out boldly & legibly - which make it quite striking. However, I do agree with the comments that the average person may find the colours of B visually appealing and thus be more inclined to pick it up. A would be my third choice, as being too cliched. But in fact all three proposed covers are fine. Good job!

2012 July 02 at 08:00 by Wim

C is for the deepsky fundis, ordinaries(like me) not attracted ,too small on page. B looks artificial, too much processing, and the brightness will spoil my dark adaptation ;-) That leaves A , old-fashioned inspiration!

2012 July 03 at 00:39 by Willie

I agree with Martin on the nice composition of A but as has been pointed out, it closely resembles a previous cover (which is not a sin in itself).

C would have been a good choice if you audience was only ASSA/Astronomical community.

But since SG is now commercial and has to compete with other publications on display, B is definitely the most eye-catching.

2012 July 03 at 10:24 by Oleg

B for best.

2012 July 03 at 11:59 by Hans Daehne

B is Bright and Beautiful

2012 July 04 at 02:27 by Zorina Dharsey

Picture B is stunning, colourful, eye-catching!

2012 July 06 at 10:18 by Wim

At the moment it seems like B it will B. Whatever, it's the Sky Guide(inside) that we like!

2012 July 08 at 12:04 by Lenceus

OK, so my first instinct is to vote A based on the above posts (just to even things out a bit), albeit a bit of a cliche/retro. B is obviously visually most appealing for "the general public", while C speaks to the dedicated observer. What demographic is your target? I think true observers will forgive you for splashing a visually appealing picture on the cover "B" as oppose to a "true to sentiment" one like "C" if you can reach a wider audience. (Easy for me to say, right?) I have to go with "B".

2012 July 09 at 06:47 by Lewis Mangaba

B

2012 July 15 at 11:27 by Carol Botha

B

2012 July 16 at 22:40 by Kiwi_canuck

A

2012 July 17 at 05:27 by Wendy Vermeulen

A

2012 July 17 at 18:23 by kiwi_canuck

Pleaae tell me which galaxy & which planetary you're imaging ......(most of my observing is done at Lat 49N)

2012 July 23 at 09:22 by CHARL AND NADIA

Our vote A

2012 July 26 at 08:03 by Lee

I'd go for C - something different