Announcements

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…
Update on RAS Fellowships
The Royal Astronomical Society funds promising early-career scientists to be employed as Research Fellows at UK universities. The next call for two 3-year duration RAS Fellowships is expected to open in September 2026 for fellowships with a starting…
Promotional graphic for the 2027 Royal Astronomical Society Awards.
RAS Awards 2027: Nominations now open
Nominations are now being welcomed for the Royal Astronomical Society's 2027 Awards. Among them is the prestigious Gold Medal – the Society’s highest hon…
Professor Matthew Middleton alongside a cover of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Black hole expert to become next Editor-in-Chief of MNRAS
A leading figure in the study of black holes has been appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS), o…
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 O…
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…