Latest News

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...
Image of the Australian desert showing the growing light pollution caused by artificial satellites.
Scourge of satellites could be mitigated with help of ultra-black coating
Astrophysicists working tirelessly to tackle the growing impact of satellite constellations have pioneered a new ultra-black coating as one possible way to mitigate the problem. The team of researchers at the University of Surrey rigorously tested...
Dr Isobel Romero-Shaw
Gravitational waves researcher wins 2026 Caroline Herschel Lectureship
One of the UK's brightest emerging astrophysicists – who specialises in the research of gravitational waves – has been named as the winner of the 2026 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship. Dr Isobel Romero-Shaw, an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow based...
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 and geophysics. Most small grant applications will now be reviewed at four points during the...
Professor Sir Carlos Frenk
RAS Gold Medal winner knighted in King's Birthday Honours
A world-leading cosmologist and winner of the Royal Astronomical Society's Gold Medal has been knighted in the King's Birthday Honours. Professor Carlos Frenk, an RAS Fellow based at Durham University, received the honour of Knight Bachelor from His...
Dr James O'Donoghue speaking in the Maldives.
RAS Fellow awarded 2026 Carl Sagan Medal
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) would like to congratulate Fellow Dr James O’Donoghue on receiving one of US astronomy's most prestigious awards. Dr O'Donoghue, from the University of Reading, was awarded the 2026 Carl Sagan Medal by the...
RAD-BAARG radio galaxy, with the 144 MHz radio image from the LOFAR radio telescope shown in red and the optical image from the BASS survey shown in RGB colour.
Bow-and-arrow-shaped radio galaxy discovered by citizen scientist
Astronomers have discovered a “remarkable” bow-and-arrow-shaped radio galaxy with an enormous arc-like structure extending nearly 1.8 million light-years across. The newly-identified system, detailed in a new paper published today in Monthly Notices...
Leaflet with information about the proposed cuts to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics.
Parliamentary briefing on STFC funding crisis
Budget breakdown The UK government has made a record £39B investment in UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) across the spending review period, with ~9% of that budget invested in the Science and Technology Facilities council. STFC runs the UK’s...
Stars of physics are pictured on College Green ahead of an MP drop-in event at Westminster to campaign against proposed cuts to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics.
Stars of physics descend on Westminster to halt catastrophic funding cuts
Professor Brian Cox has urged the Government to "trust, inspire and continue to invest in the next generation of scientists" instead of moving forward with "devastating" funding cuts to astronomy and particle physics research in the UK. The particle...
UKRI's 'astoundingly complacent' response to cuts impact assessment request
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is disappointed by the response to its joint request with the Institute of Physics (IOP) for a full impact assessment of the proposed cuts to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics (PPAN). In a letter to...
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...
This image combines data from four space telescopes to create a multi-wavelength view of all that remains of RCW 86, the oldest documented example of a supernova.
'Crisis averted' as experts confirm universe's expansion IS accelerating
Our universe's expansion is still accelerating despite recent claims suggesting otherwise, an international team of astrophysicists say. They refuted a study published last year claiming the growth of the universe is slowing and insist there is no...