Royal Astronomical Society

This article is about the British organisation. For the Canadian organisation, see Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. For the New Zealand organisation, see Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. For other organisations, see List of astronomical societies.
Royal Astronomical Society
AbbreviationRAS
Formation10 March 1820; 204 years ago (1820-03-10)
TypeNGO, learned society
Legal statusRegistered charity
PurposeTo promote the sciences of astronomy & geophysics
Professional title
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS)
HeadquartersBurlington House
Location
Coordinates51°30′32″N 0°8′22″W / 51.50889°N 0.13944°W / 51.50889; -0.13944
King Charles III[1]
President
Mike Lockwood
Executive Director
Philip Diamond[2]
Websitewww.ras.ac.uk
Formerly called
Astronomical Society of London (1820–31)

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is a learned society and charity that encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.[3] Its headquarters are in Burlington House, on Piccadilly in London. The society has over 4,000 members, known as fellows, most of whom are professional researchers or postgraduate students.[3] Around a quarter of Fellows live outside the UK.[3]

The society holds monthly scientific meetings in London, and the annual National Astronomy Meeting at varying locations in the British Isles. The RAS publishes the scientific journals Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Geophysical Journal International and RAS Techniques and Instruments, along with the trade magazine Astronomy & Geophysics.

The RAS maintains an astronomy research library, engages in public outreach and advises the UK government on astronomy education. The society recognises achievement in astronomy and geophysics by issuing annual awards and prizes, with its highest award being the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. The RAS is the UK adhering organisation to the International Astronomical Union and a member of the UK Science Council.

  1. ^ Tonkin, Sam (24 May 2024). "King Charles III accepts RAS patronage". Royal Astronomical Society. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Philip Diamond to be new RAS Executive Director". Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "The aims of the Society". ras.ac.uk. Royal Astronomical Society. Retrieved 12 November 2018.