Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A) has announced its continued commitment to open access publication for the third consecutive year under the Subscribe to Open (S2O) model. In an era where many astronomy journals are transitioning to open access through the Gold (APC) route, A&A remains steadfast in its dedication to immediate open access, ensuring minimal disruption for authors and subscribers alike.
Under the Subscribe to Open model, A&A maintains its accessibility to the global scientific community while securing the journal's sustainability and financial stability. By opting for this subscriber-based approach, the journal reaffirms its commitment to broadening access to high-quality research without imposing article processing charges (APCs) on authors.
The decision to persist with the S2O model reflects the unwavering support of A&A's Board of Directors and EDP Sciences, despite challenges in sustaining subscription levels. This commitment underscores the journal's dedication to upholding equitable open access principles while navigating the evolving landscape of scholarly publishing.
Since embracing open access under the S2O model, A&A has published over 4,500 articles, garnering over 13.5 million downloads and attracting corresponding authors from 54 countries. The journal's contributions to international cooperation and dialogue have been substantial, with articles achieving a collective citation count of 155,685 in 2022 alone, culminating in an impressive Journal Impact Factor of 6.5.
As the sole journal under an S2O model in a field dominated by Gold OA astronomy journals, A&A has emerged as an increasingly attractive publishing destination, witnessing a significant uptick in published articles.
The S2O model continues to be lauded as an equitable and transformative approach to open access publishing. A&A remains committed to evaluating and adapting the model to ensure its long-term viability, with plans for further enhancements and adaptations in the pipeline. This steadfast commitment to equity positions A&A as a trailblazer in the realm of open and accessible scientific communication.
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