The Variable Star Section is a good example of why it can be useful to make a Circular public. I know that professional astronomers read it. If it were behind a pay wall then that might not happen. Having the professional researchers read the Circular benefits the members who contribute to the Section.
I’ve experienced this just today. It was an unexpected treat to see in a paper just published on the RW Cep “Great Dimming”
“Atmospheric dynamics of the hypergiant RW Cep during the Great Dimming”
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.11701
several references to my BAAVSSC article on this
Cheers
Robin