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An artist’s impression of a star engulfing a planet. The blue line traces the path of the planet as it spirals toward the star and ultimately collides with it.
'Fingerprints' inside the Sun could reveal if it once swallowed a planet
It is thought the Sun may have engulfed a super-Earth-sized planet early in its history. Now a new study has gone a step further by suggesting that such an event may have left behind detectable clues inside our star which could still be visible today...
The sweep of Twinkle’s FoR and location of currently known exoplanets (red) and TESS objects of interest (blue).
RAS papers to celebrate Europlanet Science Congress
To mark the Europlanet Science Congress 2026 taking place in The Hague (6-11 September 2026), the Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to celebrate some of the papers published in its journals during the past year. First off is the 'ASTEP...
This figure illustrates the different distributions of dust (blue), gas (green) and ions (red) in 3I/Atlas.
Secrets of interstellar comet 3I/Atlas revealed
UK astronomers have uncovered new clues about the origin of 3I/Atlas – only the third known object from beyond our Solar System ever spotted in our cosmic neighbourhood. In a new paper published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society...
Impassioned MP debate amplifies desire to protect UK science
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) welcomes the support of MPs and the powerful statements made during discussions in Parliament about cuts to research funding for fundamental physics and astronomy. The strength of feeling at the debate in...
Astronomy cuts to be discussed at Westminster
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) welcomes an upcoming debate at the Houses of Parliament about cuts impacting astronomy and encourages all Fellows to contact their MPs to urge them to attend. It will take place on Tuesday 1 September from 1-1...
Graphic promoting RAS Open House 2026.
Explore the RAS with Open House self-guided tours
The Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to welcome visitors to Burlington House as part of this year's Open House Festival. Free self-guided tours of the Society's HQ will take place on Saturday 19 September 2026, from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Last...
Promotional image for the University of Leeds hosting NAM2027.
NAM 2027 to be held at the University of Leeds
The Royal Astronomical Society is delighted to announce that the 2027 National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) will be hosted by the University of Leeds. The UK's largest professional astronomy conference will bring together leading astronomers and space...
Pictures from the 2026 solar eclipse, visible from the UK and Europe.
Solar eclipse in pictures: UK and Europe treated to best show in 27 years
Millions of people across the UK and Europe enjoyed the most spectacular solar eclipse in a generation on Wednesday evening (12 August). The UK experienced its best solar eclipse in nearly 30 years, with most of the country treated to more than 90...
The photographic glass plates of a total solar eclipse in 1875 made during a Royal Society expedition to Siam [Thailand].
Solar eclipse 1875 photographic plates unearthed after 129 years
Photographic glass plates of a total solar eclipse made 151 years ago during a Royal Society expedition to Siam [Thailand] have been rediscovered in the archives of the Royal Astronomical Society and are about to be returned to our former next-door...
View of a partial solar eclipse
How to see best solar eclipse visible from UK since 1999
The most impressive solar eclipse visible from the UK in almost 30 years can be enjoyed by people across the country on Wednesday 12 August. Around 90-96 per cent of the Sun will be covered by the Moon at its peak at around 19:00 BST, with the...
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 Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS). Professor Wijers passed away at the age of...
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 catastrophic budget cuts. This deeply troubling development is one of several heavy blows to UK...