Announcements

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…
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 M…
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 R…
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, Innova…
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, Secret…
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 reso…
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 passe…
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 resear…
Dr Allan Chapman, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Dr Allan Chapman, 1946-2026
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Allan Chapman, who has died aged 79. Described as "extraordinarily erudite"…
Dr Stefano Lorito
Tsunami expert appointed Deputy Editor-in-Chief of GJI
An expert in tsunami science and the world’s most powerful earthquakes has been appointed Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Geophysical Journal International (GJI…
Graphic promoting the RAS Thesis Prizes for 2025.
RAS Thesis Prizes 2025 – Call for nominations
Each year the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) recognises the best PhD theses in astronomy and geophysics completed in the UK. Three prizes are available: the Michael Penston prize for astronomy, the Keith Runcorn prize for geoph…
National Astronomy Meeting 2026 promo graphic.
Birmingham to host 2026 National Astronomy Meeting
The Royal Astronomical Society is pleased to announce that the 2026 National Astronomy Meeting (NAM2026) is being held by the University of Birmingham from Monday 20 July to Friday 24 July.  It will cover the full range…