  Measuring scientific development is a difficult task. Different metrics have
been put forward to evaluate scientific development; in this paper we explore a
metric that uses the number of peer-reviewed, and when available
non-peer-reviewed articles, research research articles as an indicator of
development in the field of astronomy. We analyzed the available publication
record, using the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Database System, by country affiliation
in the time span between 1950 and 2011 for countries with a Gross National
Income of less than 14,365 USD in 2010. This represents 149 countries. We
propose that this metric identifies countries in `astronomy development' with a
culture of research publishing. We also propose that for a country to develop
astronomy it should invest in outside expert visits, send their staff abroad to
study and establish a culture of scientific publishing. Furthermore, we propose
that this paper may be used as a baseline to measure the success of major
international projects, such as the International Year of Astronomy 2009.
