Announcements

Promotional graphic for the 2027 Caroline Herschel Medal.
Apply or nominate now for 2027 Caroline Herschel Medal
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Caroline Herschel Medal, an award which celebrates exceptional women astrophysicists in the UK and Germany. The awa…
Job vacancy: Education and Outreach Officer
Full-time, permanent | London (hybrid – 3 days/week in office) | 35 hours per week | Salary: £40,000 About the role The Royal Astronomical Society is seeking a creative and proactive Education and Outreach Officer. Based in London at our Burlington…
A global photography competition called RAStroPhoto is being launched to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).
Entries now open for RAStroPhoto competition
The Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to announce that entries are now open for RAStroPhoto, a global photography competition commemorating the bicentenary of one of the world's largest and most prestigious astronomy journals. Monthly Notices…
Temporary closure of RAS HQ
The offices of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) will be closed to all Fellows, Friends and members of the public from 2 November 2026 to 4 January…
Call for Applications: RAS Research Fellowships
The Royal Astronomical Society is pleased to invite applications for its RAS Research Fellowships. The Society intends to award two fellowships, providing…
Promotional image for the University of Leeds hosting NAM2027.
NAM 2027 to be held at the University of Leeds
The Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to announce that the 2027 National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) will be hosted by the University of Leeds. The UK's largest professional astronomy conference will bring together leading astronomers and space sc…
Professor Ralph A.M.J. Wijers
Professor Ralph A.M.J. Wijers, 1964–2026
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is saddened to hear of the death of Professor Ralph A.M.J. Wijers, who was a member of the Editorial Board of Monthly…
Jodrell Bank Observatory.
Mass cuts and potential Jodrell closure 'devastating for astronomy'
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is shocked and dismayed to hear that the UK's iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory is at risk of closure amid a slew of cata…
Daisaburo Kido, of the University of Tokyo.
2026 MNRAS Student Author Prize winner announced
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) is delighted to announce the winner of the 2026 MNRAS Student Prize. The annual prize recognises papers that, in the view of the MNRAS Editorial Board, are the best submitted in a given 12-mo…
A global photography competition called RAStroPhoto is being launched to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).
RAStroPhoto competition launched to mark MNRAS bicentenary
Amateur astrophotographers are invited to share their images capturing the wonder of astronomy for a new photography competition being launched to celebra…
RAS response to UKRI/STFC funding announcement
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) cautiously welcomes the decision to largely protect UK astronomy from the catastrophic cuts previously under consideration. Fears of a budget reduction of up to 30 per cent sparked profound concern across the sec…
New pilot scheme for small RAS grants
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has launched a new pilot scheme aimed at streamlining the awarding of small grants in support of studies in astronomy…