Being a finalist for Analog Magazine’s Readers’ Award never, never gets old! This 4th time is extra special because it is for my first science fact article. Analog readers are not shy about demanding that the writers get the details of the science in the stories correct. Which is as it should be. Analog even publishes articles in which the writers–many of them scientists–discuss the scientific basis for their stories.
I am thrilled that the magazine’s readers honored my article, “The Science Behind ‘Apollo in Retrograde'” as one of the best from 2024. I had a great time writing about several aspects of the Apollo Moon landings that did NOT involve rocket science. Geology, geography, navigation, and communications presented significant challenges for explorers making their way across a trackless wilderness with no roads, GPS, etc.
I hope you will read my article while it is available for free! Find out why it was crucial to have fenders on the Moon buggies and what the astronauts and Houston decided to do when one of the fender extensions got torn off. Hint: Weight limitations precluded bringing spare fenders in the lunar lander.
Speaking of free reads: If you nominate science fiction stories for the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, or Dragon awards, have a look at all these new stories by David Gerrold, Stanley Schmidt, and other fine writers. Analog stories are at a disadvantage these days because only a few of them are free to read and for only a couple of months or so.
I’ll close with two final notes:
- My article is in the January/February issue that has a gorgeous cover by Julie Dillon. It is also an AnLab Readers’ Award finalist for best cover.
- You might discover a wonderful new author in this bunch of free stories Analog readers voted their favorites.
