I’d go with Nature, Science, and New Scientist.
But if you were looking for a highfalutin, internationally reputable, field-specific journal, I’d have to recommend one of the ones my company publishes. 
I copy edit the mofos.
Have to put in my 2 cents worth…
My favorite science magazine is “The Sciences” which is also known as “The Journal of the New York Academy of the Sciences.” It’s a bimonthly magazine, and it has one unique feature, all the articles are illustrated with art, painting, sculpture, and no scientific illustrations only. As an artist, I’ve discovered more great painters in The Sciences than I usually do in art magazines. And the magazine articles make very abstract subjects comprehensible to the masses, without talking down to them. My only complaint with The Sciences is that I want more of it. Check it out at:
I have to say that Scientific American has really gone downhill in recent years. I used to read every issue from cover to cover, but I haven’t bought a single issue in years. The turning point seems to have been when Martin Gardner quit and they turned down Rudy Rucker who wanted to take over his column. SciAm has been irrelevant for years.
As I read down this thread, I was becoming more and more surprised that no one had mentioned The Sciences. Then, I read Chas.E’s post just above this. He’s right on.
I would also like to mention Sky and Telescope although it is, of course, not a general science magazine. Still, it deserves recognition because of the consistently high quality of its articles, its inclusion of equations, and the fact that you’re never talked down to as a reader. And, despite its title, there’s often more to it than just astronomy (i.e. general physics, astrophysics, geophysics, and chemistry).
UK dopers–whatever happened to “Focus”? I bought several copies of it for like $8 apiece here in the states a bookstore that long ago went out of business. I haven’t been able to find it anymore (for quite some time in fact) and an overseas subscription to the mag was really expensive. Is it still even published?
JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, etc.
Hey, have you seen the lead cover articles for Pop. Mech. lately???
So, between Science and Nature, which do scientists consider the more prestigious magazine to be published in? (And as I am a potential subscriber to one but not both, I also need to know: which one kicks more butt?)
Hmm… his old thread got bumped, so I guess this is the place to put some distressing news: The Sciences is defunct. Ceased publication. I found this out about an hour after I bought the last issue off the newsstand. The newle appointed director of NYAS decided that he wasn’t interested in publishing a magazine anymore, so he canned it. What a fool.
Science and Nature are the two most prestigious journals in the english-speaking world, and I don’t know if it’s really possible to distinguish between the two on the basis of prestige. I don’t, and I’ve never heard anyone make a comment that implied one was more prestigious than the other (although both have made errors; it’s always healthy to look for errors in such exalted places).
Science is American, and Nature is British, so maybe that perspective would influence your decision. Depending on what field you’re interested in, maybe one would be better than the other for that particular field, although from what I’ve seen, both run the gamut of noteworthy science in almost every discipline from astronomy to zoology. Anyone else have something to contribute on Science vs. Nature?
Also, I’ve only read one issue, but for a popular-style magazine, American Scientist looked pretty good. Anyone have an opinion on that one?
They’re both probably the most prestigious English-language magazines (and both are archived, too, a hallmark for “prestigious” magazines), but only in terms of general science. If you looking for a journal that concentrates on a particular field, there are many better than either of those two.
Having spent some time recently working at one of the aforementioned mags, let me put in my tardy two cents.
SciAm was a great magazine but is now crap. They changed the editorial focus to a “technology” bent to appeal to tech advertisers, who look for this type of editorial. They have a strong business audience to back this up, although none read SciAm for Tech info. Unfortunately, the stuff they do is now pedestrian, seen-it-before editorial. The backlash from readers must have been great, since the third issue of the redesing had practically NO technology, even though this was their new direction. Interestingly enough, the consultant they are working with is the former Discover editor from the 80s and early 90s. You used to need a PhD to read SciAm, now who the hell knows who’s reading it.
Speaking of Discover, they redesigned three years ago to go more mainstream and appeal to a wider gruop. This of course alienated many of the hardcore readers, but is the most understandable of the bunch, while still covering some serious issues. Put this in the “General Interest” science category…a little bit of everything, but extensive on nothing.
PopSci was recently sold to Time Inc., and who the hell knows why this hasn’t been folded. The editorial exists to support the advertisers…there are so many press releases in the first half of each issue, and how “odd”…there’s always at least one for each advertiser. On those rare occasions when they have a good story idea, inevitably they muck it up with poor writing or bad info. I believe they are set for a relaunch this fall, with a more…yep, you guessed it…technology focus.
With regards to Nature, The Sciences, etc., these move you out of the range of “Consumer” magazines and move you into “Scientists writing for scientists”. Here is where you’ll find the highest editorial quality, often more specialized than what you would encounter in consumer titles but with much more indepth information requiring a working knowledge in order to read and enjoy.
So if you just want to know what’s going on in the world of science, I’d go with Discover. But for more indepth, intense(?) edit, I’d look through the journals on the newsstand and find one who’s editorial focus bests matches your interests.
Just another vote for Science News.
And another rant against Scientific American. It’s pitiful these days.
I don’t think there’s any magazine that replaces what SciAm used to be.
Since we’re on the subject - Nova’s gone downhill too, IMHO.