Latest News

RAS logo on a purple starry background.
'Reverse the cuts': RAS urges Vallance to avert scientific crisis
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has called on science minister Patrick Vallance to step in and prevent the "catastrophic damage to astronomy and space science" that would be caused by devastating proposed budget cuts. In the letter, signed by...
Starry night over houses in Thorington Street.
Suffolk hamlet is England's first International Dark Sky Community
A small hamlet in Suffolk has become the first community in England to receive international dark sky status. Thorington Street, which has about 40 houses, was officially designated an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International...
An artist’s impression of the stellar dimming event caused by a brown dwarf or super-Jupiter with massive rings (foreground) forming an opaque “saucer” through which some light from the star ASASSN-24fw (background) shines.
Unseen planet or brown dwarf may have hidden 'rare' fading star
One of the longest stellar dimming events ever observed was likely caused by the gigantic saucer-like rings of either an unseen brown dwarf or 'super-Jupiter' blocking its host star's light, astronomers say. For decades the star – which sits 3,200...
Open letter on astronomy cuts from UK physics teachers
The Royal Astronomical Society is encouraging physics teachers in the UK to sign an open letter to Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, and voice their opposition to budget cuts proposed by the Government...
Professor Mike Cruise.
Professor Mike Cruise, OBE, 1947-2026
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of former President Professor Mike Cruise, who has died at the age of 78. Professor Cruise was President of the RAS from 2018-2020 and also served as Treasurer...
RAS Fellows urged to lobby against unprecedented cuts
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is calling on its members to help force the Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to astronomy and space science. Last month the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) advised researchers that...
Graphic promoting Meganne Christian's 'Back to the Moon' talk at the Royal Astronomical Society.
Reserve astronaut Meganne Christian to give free family talk
Want to meet an astronaut? The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is excited to announce that European Space Agency (ESA) reserve astronaut Meganne Christian will this month be delivering a public talk on humanity's return to the Moon. With NASA's...
Moon Palace bus with two images from inside the mobile observatory.
Next stop, Mars! 'Moon Palace' observatory bus coming to RAS
Families, art lovers and astronomy enthusiasts will be treated to an out-of-this-world experience for February half-term – as the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) welcomes a mobile observatory known as ' Moon Palace' to the Burlington House courtyard...
Artistic representation of the Milky Way, where the innermost stars move at near relativistic speeds around a dense core of dark matter.
'Dark matter, not a black hole, could power Milky Way's heart'
Our Milky Way galaxy may not have a supermassive black hole at its centre but rather an enormous clump of mysterious dark matter exerting the same gravitational influence, astronomers say. They believe this invisible substance – which makes up most...
Richard Carrington
RAS uncovers only known photo of Richard Carrington
The first and so far only known photograph of 19th century astronomer Richard Carrington – who had the largest geomagnetic storm in history named after him – has been unearthed by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). It was discovered 150 years...
Roger Bonnet.
Professor Roger-Maurice Bonnet, 1937-2026
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) would like to pay tribute to Honorary Fellow and "icon of European space science" Roger-Maurice Bonnet, who has passed away aged 88. Professor Bonnet, the Director of Science at the European Space Agency (ESA)...
RAS logo on a purple starry background.
Proposed budget cuts a catastrophe for UK astronomy
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). In a letter from its Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, the...