American Astronomical Society

Not to be confused with American Astronautical Society.
American Astronomical Society
Formation1899 (1899)
TypeNon-governmental organization
PurposeThe advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science.
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Coordinates38°54′11″N 77°02′18″W / 38.90306°N 77.03833°W / 38.90306; -77.03833
Membership7,000
President
Dara Norman
Websiteaas.org
Formerly called
Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America

The American Astronomical Society (AAS, sometimes spoken as "double-A-S") is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC. The primary objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science, while the secondary purpose includes enhancing astronomy education and providing a political voice for its members through lobbying and grassroots activities. Its current mission is to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community.

History

The society was founded in 1899 through the efforts of George Ellery Hale. The constitution of the group was written by Hale, George Comstock, Edward Morley, Simon Newcomb and Edward Charles Pickering. These men, plus four others, were the first Executive Council of the society; Newcomb was the first president. The initial membership was 114. The AAS name of the society was not finally decided until 1915, previously it was the "Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America". One proposed name that preceded this interim name was "American Astrophysical Society".[1]

The AAS today has over 8,000 members and six divisions – the Division for Planetary Sciences (1968), the Division on Dynamical Astronomy (1969), the High Energy Astrophysics Division (1969), the Solar Physics Division (1969), the Historical Astronomy Division (1980) and the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (2012). The membership includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy. The annual meeting of the AAS is held in the spring and constitutes the largest gathering of astronomers, numbering over 3,000 in 2023.[2]

In 2019 three AAS members were selected into the tenth anniversary class of TED Fellows.[3]

The AAS established the AAS Fellows program in 2019 to "confer recognition upon AAS members for achievement and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and the American Astronomical Society."[4] The inaugural class was designated by the AAS Board of Trustees and includes an initial group of 232 Legacy Fellows.[4][5]

In January 2025, AAS published a statement calling on nations to ban advertising from space that can be seen from the ground amid growing concern around the launch obtrusive space advertising payloads.[6]

Membership

The AAS is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America.[7] The membership includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects comprising contemporary astronomy.[7]

The society offers several classes of membership and affiliation.[8] Full Members must meet at least two of three criteria: possessing a graduate degree in astronomy or a related science, receiving the nomination of a current Full Member, or having placed a refereed publication in a recognised international journal.[8] Until 2018, admission as a Full Member required nomination by two existing Full Members; that year the society restructured its membership classes, broadening eligibility to include holders of master's degrees and introducing new affiliate categories.[9] Other membership classes include Graduate Student Members, Undergraduate Student Members (also open to high-school students), International Affiliates for astronomers residing outside the United States, Amateur Affiliates, and Alumni Affiliates for former members who have left the field.[8]

As of 2025, the AAS has approximately 8,200 members across all categories.[7] The society is a member society of the American Institute of Physics.[7]

Fellows

The AAS established its Fellows program in 2019 to recognise members for achievement and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and the society.[4] The inaugural class, designated by the AAS Board of Trustees, included 232 Legacy Fellows.[4][10] New fellows are elected annually thereafter.[4]

Divisions

Because the field of astronomy is diverse, several divisions have been formed each of which promotes and enables a different branch of astronomy or astronomy-related science as well as working within the overall charter of the AAS. Many of the divisions hold separate meetings in addition to meeting with the main group. The divisions of the AAS, together with their main research interests, are:

Publications

Prizes

Similar prizes are awarded by AAS divisions. These include:

The AAS also manages an International Travel Grant program, which any astronomer working in the US may apply to for travel to international astronomy-related conferences and other smaller grant and award programs. American Astronomical Society won the 2020 Webby People's Voice Award for Association in the category Web.[13]

Past presidents

The following past and present members served as president of the society during the listed periods:[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Brant L. Sponberg & David H. DeVorkin. "How did the AAS get its name?". History of the Society. Archived from the original on 3 December 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2005.
  2. ^ Jorgenson, Regina. "Summary of the January 2023 American Astronomical Society Meeting". Maria Mitchell Association. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  3. ^ "2019 Class of TED Fellows Includes Three AAS Members | American Astronomical Society".
  4. ^ a b c d e "AAS Fellows Program". aas.org. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  5. ^ "American Astronomical Society Announces First Class of AAS Fellows". aas.org. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (2025-01-25). "Astronomers seek global ban on space advertising". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  7. ^ a b c d "American Astronomical Society". aip.org. American Institute of Physics. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  8. ^ a b c "Classes of Membership and Affiliation". aas.org. American Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  9. ^ "Changes Coming in AAS Membership Classes". aas.org. American Astronomical Society. June 2018. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  10. ^ "American Astronomical Society Announces First Class of AAS Fellows". aas.org. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  11. ^ "AAS to Acquire Sky & Telescope". aas.org. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  12. ^ "American Astronomical Society Acquires Willmann-Bell Books, Atlases, and Software". aas.org. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  13. ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (20 May 2020). "Here are all the winners of the 2020 Webby Awards". The Verge. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  14. ^ Past Officers and Trustees (formerly Councilors), American Astronomical Society, retrieved 2019-12-28.
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Archival collections

Niels Bohr Library & Archives

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