Announcements

Image of light pollution campaigner Bob Mizon
Bob Mizon MBE FRAS, 1946-2023
The Royal Astronomical Society is sorry to hear of the recent death of leading light pollution campaigner Bob Mizon. A talented amateur astronomer, he helped to establish the Commission for Dark Skies and his work received global recognition. Mizon…
The bicentenary patchwork quilt laid out on a table, with a women working on stitching it together. It features embroidered squares depicting galaxies, planets and other celestial objects.
RAS Bicentennial Quilt Update
Finally, three and a half years after starting the RAS bicentennial quilt project, we're delighted to announce the completion of the patchwork quilt!  Since the last update: The 100 patchwork squares were stitched together to form the t…
An image of a black ballot against a red background.
RAS Council Election Results 2023
The results of the 2023 council elections were announced at the 203rd AGM of the Royal Astronomical Society. Professor Mike Lockwood FRS is our new President-elect, and will begin his two year term as President in May 2024. He holds a chair in space…
RAS new logo
Science Minister replies to RAS President about Horizon Europe funding
George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation has replied to the RAS President Prof. Mike Edmunds regarding the surrender of £1.6 billion previously allocated for association to the EU Horizon Europe programme. In Februar…
Image of the Bubble Nebula overlaid with the RAS logo in the top right corner and text in the centre reading "GCSE Poster Competition 2023 Winners Announced!"
RAS GCSE Poster Competition winners announced
The RAS GCSE Competition, sponsored by Winton, provides a chance for students studying GCSE Astronomy to showcase their astronomy knowledge. Students were invited to present an astronomy topic of their choice as an academic style poster for a ch…
Professor Richard Ellis
Professor Richard Ellis wins Gruber Prize for Cosmology
The 2023 Gruber Prize in Cosmology recognises the outstanding work of Professor Richard Ellis CBE in studying the evolution of galaxies and the universe from early in its history, and designing the instruments to make this possible. The Prize i…
Ambassador Miguel Berger and Professor Gillian Wright stand side by side. Prof. Wright is holding a small box containing the medal and a certificate.
Professor Gillian Wright awarded Caroline Herschel Medal
Professor Gillian Wright CBE was awarded the 2023 Caroline Herschel Medal in a ceremony that took place on Thursday 13 April 2023 at the residence of the German Ambassador to the United Kingdom. In attendance were representatives from the German Astr…
Patrick Poitevin looking through a telescope eyepiece
Prime Minister awards Derbyshire astronomer Points of Light award
An astronomer from Derbyshire who set up a charity with his late wife to donate astronomy kits for children with special educational needs has received Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s daily Points of Light award. Patrick Poitevin and his late wife Joan…
The RAS Presidential Portrait of Dame Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell Awarded Jules Janssen Prize
The Société Astronomique de France (the French Astronomical Society – SAF) has awarded its prestigious international astronomy prize – the Jules Janssen Prize – to Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a former President of the Royal Astronomical Soci…
Prof. S. M. Razaullah Ansari and Prof. S. Zillur Rahman
Professor S. M. Razaullah Ansari, 1932-2023
The Royal Astronomical Society offers its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Shaikh Mohammad Razaullah Ansari, who has died at the age of 90. Prof. Ansari was a well-known historian of science, physicist, astronomer and a…
The artist's impression shows a source of bright yellow-white light against the dark backdrop of space. Coming from the centre of the light source is a conical jet that is blue in colour. Faint, smaller galaxies are seen in the background of the image,
Galaxy changes classification as jet changes direction
A team of international astronomers have discovered a galaxy that has changed classification due to unique activity within its core. The galaxy, named PBC J2333.9-2343, was previously classified as a radio galaxy, but the new research has revealed ot…
Professor Mike Edmunds
RAS President writes to government about 'surrender' of R&D funding
Last week the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy returned £1.6billion of funds to the Treasury, which had previously been allocated for association to the EU's Horizon Europe programme or for domestic alternatives. Professor Mike…