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Duncan Lorimer
RAS Fellow Duncan Lorimer shares Shaw Prize
Duncan Lorimer FRAS, Professor and Interim Chair of Physics and Astronomy and Associate Dean for Research at Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is a joint recipient of the 2023 Shaw Prize in Astronomy, awarded for the...
An artist's concept of the Kepler Space Telescope in space. The telescope is roughly cylindrical in shape, made of rust and silver coloured materials. Many stars can be seen in the background, as well as the Sun and Earth-Moon system.
Astronomers discover last planets seen by Kepler Space Telescope
Astronomers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, with the help of citizen scientists, have discovered the last three planets that the Kepler Space Telescope gazed upon before going dark. The...
Photo of Astronet Roadmap document
RAS welcomes Astronet roadmap for 12 years of European astronomy
Astronet is a network of European funding agencies and research organisations, working together on international strategic planning for astronomy. The network has now published a roadmap for European astronomy from 2022-2035. Teams of leading...
Professor Brian Warner in ceremonial robes after receiving the award of DSc (honoris causa) from the University of Cape Town in 2009
Brian Warner, 1939-2023
The RAS offers its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Brian Warner, who has died at the age of 83. He was one of the most distinguished astronomers in South Africa, and his name is synonymous with astronomy at the...
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...
This artist's impression of a quasar shows a bright orange and white disc of material centred around a small black circle. A jet of light emanates from this circle, white and blue in colour.
An X-ray look at the heart of powerful quasars
Researchers have observed the X-ray emission of the most luminous quasar seen in the last 9 billion years of cosmic history, known as SMSS J114447.77-430859.3, or J1144 for short. The new perspective sheds light on the inner workings of quasars and...
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 top of the quilt...
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...
An artist's impression of a black hole accretion shows a large yellow disc shaped formation with a small black circle at the centre. The disc appears to be sucking in blue light that emanates from a blue sphere in the bottom left corner of the image.
Astronomers reveal the largest cosmic explosion ever seen
A team of astronomers led by researchers at the University of Southampton has uncovered the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed. The explosion is more than ten times brighter than any known supernova. The research is published in Monthly Notices...
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 February...
An artist's impression of a disc shaped cloud of dust around a black hole. Two jets coming from either side of the disc appear bright blue and extend towards the outside of the image.
Hidden supermassive black holes brought to life by galaxies on collision course
Astronomers have found that supermassive black holes obscured by dust are more likely to grow and release tremendous amounts of energy when they are inside galaxies that are expected to collide with a neighbouring galaxy. The new work, led by...
A black and white portrait of Professor Sir Francis Graham Smith. He rests his chin on his hand and smiles at the camera. He is wearing glasses, a shirt, tie and blazer.
Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS celebrates hundredth birthday
The pioneering radio astronomer Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS celebrates his hundredth birthday this week on 25 April. His presidency of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1975 to 1977 coincided with the tercentenary of Royal Observatory...