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Van Allen belts
Space Weather causes years of radiation damage to satellites using electric propulsion
The use of electric propulsion for raising satellites into geostationary orbit can result in significant solar cell degradation according to a new study. The extended journey time results in greater exposure to the damaging effects of space weather...
Eimear Gallagher at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Winner of the Patricia Tomkins Undergraduate Prize 2019
Congratulations to Eimear Gallagher who has been awarded The Patricia Tomkins Undergraduate Prize 2019. Eimear is studying Physics with Astrophysics at Nottingham Trent University and is currently on an industrial placement year at the Rutherford...
Books on the shelf in the RAS library
Winners of the 2018 RAS thesis prizes
The RAS is pleased to announce the winners of its prizes for the best Ph.D. theses completed in the UK during 2018. Prizes are awarded annually: the Michael Penston Prize for the best thesis in astronomy and astrophysics, the Keith Runcorn Prize for...
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Citizen scientists re-tune Hubble’s galaxy classification
Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have helped to overturn almost a century of galaxy classification, in a new study using data from the longstanding Galaxy Zoo project. The new investigation, published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal...
Professor David Southwood awarded CBE
Professor David Southwood, President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2012-14, has been made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He receives the CBE for services to space...
Lancaster rooftops
NAM 2019: Second media announcement
Around 500 astronomers and space scientists will gather at Lancaster University, from 30 June – 4 July, for the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting 2019 (NAM 2019). The conference is the largest annual astronomy and space science...
Photograph of Dr Anna Lisa Varri. Winner of the 2019 Caroline Herschel Lectureship Prize
Winner of 2019 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship announced
The winner of the 2019 Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship is Dr Anna Lisa Varri. Dr Varri (UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the School of Physics and Astronomy and School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh) is an outstanding researcher who works...
ESO night sky above La Silla observatory in Chile
RAS statement on Starlink satellite constellation
The Royal Astronomical Society notes with concern the launch of the new SpaceX Starlink constellation of satellites into low-Earth orbit, and the potential impact of this and other programmes on views of the night sky and on astronomical research...
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First ever solar eclipse film brought back to life
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World celebrates centenary of confirmation of relativity
Celebrations are underway across the globe to commemorate 100 years since a UK-led expedition confirmed Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The theory fundamentally changed our understanding of physics and astronomy, and underpins critical...
Logo for the RAS National Astronomy Meeting 2019
NAM 2019: First media announcement
Around 500 astronomers and space scientists will gather at Lancaster University, from 30 June – 4 July, for the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting 2019 (NAM 2019). The conference is the largest annual astronomy and space science...
Election results 2019: new RAS Council
The results of the 2019 RAS elections were announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Society on Friday 10 May. The following Fellows were elected to serve on Council, the governing body of the Society: President Elect: Emma Bunce The President...