Announcements

Earth from Suomi NPP satellite
Down to Earth: RAS Supermassive episode 7 out now!
Part of our bicentenary celebrations, the RAS Supermassive podcast celebrates the best of astronomy and geophysics. Join astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke to hear about the latest re…
Your response: results of the RAS Ordinary Meeting survey
The results of the recent survey about how to run the RAS Ordinary Meetings in the 2020-2021 session are in. We had a total of 905 responses, and the main outcomes are summarised below: 97% were quite or very interested in attending online Ordinar…
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
Look out for Comet NEOWISE!
This month astronomers in the northern hemisphere are enjoying views of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), discovered in March by the NEOWISE space telescope. The comet survived its closest approach to the Sun on 3 July, and is now bright enough to be seen w…
Photograph of Professor Nigel Weiss
Professor Nigel Weiss FRS FRAS, 1936-2020
The Royal Astronomical Society offers its condolences to the friends and family of Professor Nigel Weiss, who has died at the age of 83. Professor Weiss completed his PhD in 1961, becoming a world-leading expert in mathematical astrophysics, special…
Ballot box
Election results 2020: new RAS Council
The results of the 2020 RAS elections were announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Society on Friday 26 June. The following Fellows were elected to serve on Council, the governing body of the Society: Vice President (A): Dr Megan Argo Vice P…
Six examples of people's quilt squares in progress
RAS Quilt Project Online
A lot has changed since the last update at the end of February. Due to government guidelines regarding COVID-19, the Society's offices have remained closed since March 17 and subsequently the scheduled stitching sessions in March and May were postpon…
Books in the RAS library
Winners of the 2019 RAS Thesis Prizes
The RAS is pleased to announce the winners of its prizes for the best PhD theses completed in the UK during 2019. Prizes are awarded annually: the Michael Penston Prize for the best thesis in astronomy and astrophysics, the Keith Runcorn Prize for t…
Image of Professor Emma Bunce
Prof. Emma Bunce: A Life Scientific
Earlier this morning, RAS President-Elect Prof. Emma Bunce featured in Jim Al-Khalili's 'The Life Scientific', speaking about her path into space science, her passion for studying the largest planets in our Solar System, and the role of astronomy and…
Dr Rebecca Smethurst
Dr Rebecca Smethurst wins Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship
The winner of the 2020 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship is Dr Rebecca (Becky) Smethurst. Dr Smethurst is a Junior Research Fellow at Christ Church, University of Oxford. Her research accomplishments include applying state-of-the-art statistical t…
Dr Becky Smethurst in her home studio
RAS Supermassive Podcast: Exploring Exoplanets out now!
Part of our bicentenary celebrations, the RAS Supermassive podcast celebrates the best of astronomy and geophysics. Join astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke to hear about the latest research, the people and discover…
Professor Roger Blandford
Professor Roger Blandford wins Shaw Prize in Astronomy
Professor Roger Blandford is the 2020 winner of the Shaw Prize in Astronomy, awarded in recognition of his seminal contributions to theoretical astrophysics. Prof. Blandford is the Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences and P…
RAS Harassment and Bullying Survey
The scientific workplace, as with all workplaces, should provide a caring, constructive environment with safe, supportive working conditions for all.  Bullying and harassment can have a devastating effect on the workplace environment, and this inclu…