Editorial policies

Abstract

A short summary of the way the main astronomy journals are produced is given. The different ways of publishing a scientific journal are described, their advantages anddrawbacks-are discussed and some projections towards the future are made. We finally deal with a few specific editorial topics : publication of large collections of data, designation of astronomical objects, indexing and retrieval of information.

This paper reflects my opinions concerning what a journal like Astronomy and Astrophysics is presently doing, could reasonably do and will possibly do in the future in order to publish the material submitted by the astronomical community. I have had contacts with Prof. B.J. Tayler, the Managing Editor of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and some of his opinions are conveyed here.