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A diagram depicting habitable zone boundaries across star type with rocky exoplanets from Bohl et al. (2026). The boundaries of the habitable zone shift based on star colour, since different wavelengths of light will heat a planet's atmosphere differently. 
The best places to look for alien life: Scientists identify 45 Earth-like worlds to explore for a 'Project Hail Mary'
If we're to find extraterrestrial life in the universe, astronomers have pinpointed the best places to look for it. They have identified just under 50 rocky worlds most likely to be habitable out of the more than 6,000 exoplanets discovered so far...
Space background with floating coloured squares with text inside and the RAS logo
First HPQ Astronomy course piloted by RAS to end
The first ever Astronomy Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) in the UK, piloted by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), is coming to an end this month. It has been a hugely successful trial as an alternative to GCSE Astronomy, increasing student...
SpaceX and Reflect Orbital plans would 'permanently scar' night sky
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is alarmed by the threat to ground-based astronomy posed by proposals put forward by Elon Musk's SpaceX and Reflect Orbital. SpaceX has applied to launch one million satellites to act as data centres to power...
Promo graphic for Our Fragile Space, supported by the Royal Astronomical Society.
'Powerful' space debris exhibition coming to RAS
A ground-breaking photographic exhibition highlighting the grave and deepening issue of space debris is coming to Burlington House courtyard, the Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to announce. Our Fragile Space shines a spotlight on the...
Professor Dr Heike Rauer has been awarded the 2026 Caroline Herschel Medal.
Exoplanet scientist awarded 2026 Caroline Herschel Medal
An exoplanet-hunting astronomer who specialises in the detection of Earth-like alien worlds has been awarded the 2026 Caroline Herschel Medal. Professor Dr Heike Rauer, of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Freie Universität Berlin, was recognised...
Graphic promoting the 2026 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship.
Apply now for 2026 Caroline Herschel Lectureship
The Herschel Society and Royal Astronomical Society are now welcoming applications for the 2026 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship. The Lectureship was established to celebrate Caroline’s memory by supporting promising women astronomers early in...
Dame Carole Jordan
Dame Carole Jordan – first female president of the RAS – 1941-2026
We are saddened to hear of the death of Professor Dame Carole Jordan – the first female president of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) – who has passed away at the age of 84. Dame Carole also served on RAS Council for 22 years, was an editor of...
Physics teachers' open letter on cuts hits 100 signatures
An open letter from UK physics teachers opposing budget cuts proposed by the Government has so far received more than 100 signatures. The Royal Astronomical Society has been encouraging teachers to put their names to the letter in response to plans...
This image was taken by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft on 1 January 2019 during a flyby of Kuiper belt object 2014 MU69, known as Arrokoth.
Why some objects in space look like snowmen
Astronomers have long debated why so many icy objects in the outer solar system look like snowmen. Now, thanks to a new computer simulation in a research paper published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Michigan State University...
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...