Royal Astronomical Society

Royal Astronomical Society The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society and charity, based in the UK, which works to advance the sciences of astronomy and geophysics.

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organizes scientific meetings in Burlington House, its London HQ, and throughout the country; publishes international research and review journals; recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and priz

es; maintains an extensive library; supports education through grants and outreach activities; and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.

15/06/2026

Among the worst-hit by the cuts will be early career researchers, nearly 80% of whom are now considering leaving the UK in the wake of the crisis, according to a damning new survey. 🧑‍🔬🔭🪐

Oxford astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst said: "It's clear the next generation of great UK physicists feel disheartened, disillusioned and dismayed by the bleak future they're facing.

"The UK's innovation talent pipeline relies on these highly skilled researchers, and with dwindling opportunities here, it’s no wonder that most are looking abroad for their next step up the career ladder."

📹️👇️ & 🔗 to survey: https://ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io/survey.html

15/06/2026

We've had a great turnout here at Westminster Hall, with MPs and Peers packing out the room to hear from early career researchers and senior academics representing astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics.

Among the scientists in attendance were Prof Brian Cox, Prof Jim Wild, Prof Chris Lintott, Dr. Becky Smethurst, Prof Jonathan Butterworth, Prof Nina Hatch, Prof Harry Cliff, Dr Robert Ferdman, Dr Estifa'a Zaid, Dr Linda Cremonesi and Dr Melissa Uchida.

The Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans said the proposed funding cuts could trigger "a cataclysmic and irreversible shock" among UK universities, bringing about "an exodus of the biggest and brightest talent the UK has to offer".

"When it comes to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and the UK being a scientific giant on the world stage, this short-sighted decision is likely to leave us as a bit-part, minority player in a number of major international projects, with our reputation in tatters," she added.

Read more about the event 👉️ https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/stars-physics-descend-westminster-halt-catastrophic-funding-cuts

Stars of physics - including Brian Cox - are in Westminster right now to meet MPs and call on the Government to halt dev...
15/06/2026

Stars of physics - including Brian Cox - are in Westminster right now to meet MPs and call on the Government to halt devastating funding cuts to astronomy and particle physics research in the UK.

Professor Cox called them "inexplicable", as he urged the Government to instead "trust, inspire and continue to invest in the next generation of scientists".

We'll be joining some of the stars of physics today to campaign for the Government to halt catastrophic funding cuts to ...
15/06/2026

We'll be joining some of the stars of physics today to campaign for the Government to halt catastrophic funding cuts to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics.

The likes of Professor Brian Cox, Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans, The Sky at Night's Professor Chris Lintott and YouTube star Dr Becky Smethurst will descend on Westminster for an MP drop-in event running from 4-6pm.

Stay tuned to find out more. 🔭

The Royal Astronomical Society is disappointed by the response to its joint request with the Institute of Physics for a ...
12/06/2026

The Royal Astronomical Society is disappointed by the response to its joint request with the Institute of Physics for a full impact assessment of the proposed cuts to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics.

RAS President Jim Wild said the reply from UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman was "astoundingly complacent given what is at stake".

Read the response in full 👉️ https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/ukris-astoundingly-complacent-response-cuts-impact-assessment-request

Some more research news! 💫🪐 An international team of astrophysicists, including two Nobel Laureates, have confirmed that...
11/06/2026

Some more research news! 💫🪐

An international team of astrophysicists, including two Nobel Laureates, have confirmed that the universe's expansion is still accelerating despite recent claims suggesting otherwise.

The University of Southampton-led paper, published today in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, is a direct rebuttal of a study published last year claiming the growth of the universe was slowing.

A team of South Korean researchers suggested that the universe's expansion may have entered a deceleration phase, caused by the influence of dark energy weakening over time, but the new study says those conclusions were the result of a scientific misunderstanding.

Read more 👉 https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/research-highlights/crisis-averted-experts-confirm-universes-expansion-accelerating

Is it a bird? 🐦️ Is it a dinosaur? 🦕 No, it's a galaxy-killing wind! 🌬️🌌Astronomers at the Swinburne University of Techn...
11/06/2026

Is it a bird? 🐦️ Is it a dinosaur? 🦕 No, it's a galaxy-killing wind! 🌬️🌌

Astronomers at the Swinburne University of Technology say their discovery may explain why there are far more massive 'dead' galaxies than expected in the early universe.

Galaxy winds have long been considered prime suspects for the deaths of massive galaxies, but observational evidence was lacking.

Read more at: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/research-highlights/galaxy-killing-wind-discovered-early-universe

We're delighted to announce the winners of our prizes for the best PhD theses completed in the UK in 2025. 🎉🏆️Michael Pe...
09/06/2026

We're delighted to announce the winners of our prizes for the best PhD theses completed in the UK in 2025. 🎉🏆️

Michael Penston Prize (Astronomy and astrophysics) 🪐
Winner - Dr Thomas Baycroft

Keith Runcorn Prize (Geophysics and planetary science) 🌍️
Winner - Dr Hannah Sanderson

Patricia Tomkins Prize (Instrumentation) 🔭
Winner - Dr Justin Tabbett

Read more at: https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/news/2025-thesis-prize-winners-announced

Don't forget to tune into tonight's episode of the BBC's The Sky at Night. 🪐🔭 'Space Weather: The Perfect Storm' airs on...
08/06/2026

Don't forget to tune into tonight's episode of the BBC's The Sky at Night. 🪐🔭

'Space Weather: The Perfect Storm' airs on BBC Four and the iPlayer at 10pm and features our new President Professor Jim Wild talking to presenter Chris Lintott about the Carrington Event and the astronomer it was named after.

Find out more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002xkn7

We're delighted to say that the Royal Astronomical Society will be featured in the next episode of the BBC's The Sky at ...
05/06/2026

We're delighted to say that the Royal Astronomical Society will be featured in the next episode of the BBC's The Sky at Night. 🪐🔭

Our new President Professor Jim Wild was interviewed for 'Space Weather: The Perfect Storm', which will air on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer at 10pm on Monday 8 June. ☀️☄️

Don't forget to tune in! 📺️

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50-52 Piccadilly
London
W1J0BQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm

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