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 George Ellery Hale (June 29, 1868 – February 21, 1938) was an American solar astronomer, best known for his discovery of magnetic fields in sunspots, and as the leader or key figure in the planning or construction of several world-lea ...

. The constitution of the group was written by Hale, George Comstock,

Edward Morley Edward Williams Morley (January 29, 1838 – February 24, 1923) was an American scientist known for his precise and accurate measurement of the atomic weight of oxygen, and for the Michelson–Morley experiment. Biography Morley was born in New ...

, 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". The AAS today has over 8,000 members and six divisions – the Division for Planetary Sciences (1968), the

Division on Dynamical Astronomy The Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA) is a branch of the American Astronomical Society that focuses on the advancement of all aspects of dynamical astronomy, including celestial mechanics, solar system dynamics, stellar dynamics, as well as the ...

(1969), the High Energy Astrophysics Division (1969), the Solar Physics Division (1969), the

Historical Astronomy Division History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

(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. In 2019 three AAS members were selected into the tenth anniversary class of TED Fellows. 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." The inaugural class was designated by the AAS Board of Trustees and includes an initial group of 232 Legacy Fellows.

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: * The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) supports

planetology Planetary science (or more rarely, planetology) is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), celestial bodies (such as moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes of their ...

and exploration of the Solar System. * The

(DDA) supports research on the dynamics (orbits, evolution, and history) of astronomical systems from the Solar System to

superclusters A supercluster is a large group of smaller galaxy clusters or galaxy groups; they are among the largest known structures in the universe. The Milky Way is part of the Local Group galaxy group (which contains more than 54 galaxies), which in turn ...

galaxies A galaxy is a system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, dark matter, bound together by gravity. The word is derived from the Greek ' (), literally 'milky', a reference to the Milky Way galaxy that contains the Solar System. ...

on cosmological scales. * The High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) supports knowledge about high energy events, particles,

quanta Quanta is the plural of quantum. Quanta may also refer to: Organisations * Quanta Computer, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of electronic and computer equipment * Quanta Display Inc., a Taiwanese TFT-LCD panel manufacturer acquired by AU Optronic ...

, relativistic

gravitational field In physics, a gravitational field is a model used to explain the influences that a massive body extends into the space around itself, producing a force on another massive body. Thus, a gravitational field is used to explain gravitational phenome ...

s, and related phenomena in the astrophysical universe. * The

(HAD) supports topics relevant to the

history of astronomy Astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences, dating back to antiquity, with its origins in the religious, mythological, cosmological, calendrical, and astrological beliefs and practices of prehistory: vestiges of these are still found in ...

as a field, and research using historical astronomical records to solve current problems in astronomy. * The Solar Physics Division (SPD) supports solar physics ( astrophysical research on the Sun), and its interactions with the Solar System and Earth. * In 2012, a new division was formed: the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) to advance humanity's understanding of the Universe through the promotion of fundamental theoretical and experimental research into the underlying processes that drive the Universe.

Publications

* ''

Astronomical Journal ''The Astronomical Journal'' (often abbreviated ''AJ'' in scientific papers and references) is a peer-reviewed monthly scientific journal owned by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and currently published by IOP Publishing. It is one of the p ...

'' * ''

Astronomy Education Review Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxi ...

o longer published O, or o, is the fifteenth letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''o'' (pronounced ), plu ...

' * '' The Astrophysical Journal'' * ''

The Planetary Science Journal ''The Planetary Science Journal'' is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal of astrophysics and astronomy, established in 2020. It is published by IOP Publishing on behalf of the American Astronomical Society. The founding editor-in-ch ...

'' * '' Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society'' *
Research Notes of the AAS
' (scientific publication of brief communications, non peer-reviewed) *
AAS Nova
', an online publication with highlights from the research journals of the Society. *In June 2019 AAS announced that it would be the new publisher of '' Sky & Telescope''. *In August 2020 AAS announced that it had acquired the inventory, author contracts and related assets of Willmann-Bell, Inc. a publisher of astronomical books, atlases and software.

Prizes

*The

Henry Norris Russell Lectureship The Henry Norris Russell Lectureship is awarded each year by the American Astronomical Society in recognition of a lifetime of excellence in astronomical research. The idea for the lectureship came from then society President Harlow Shapley in 1945, ...

, for lifetime achievement in astronomy *The

Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a young (less than age 36) astronomer for outstanding achievement in observational astronomical research. The prize is named after Newton Lacy Pi ...

, for outstanding early career in observational astronomy *The

Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy The Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a young astronomer (aged less than 36, or within 8 years of the award of their PhD) for a significant contribution to observational or theoretical ...

, for outstanding early career in theoretical astronomy *The

Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize is awarded every other year by the American Astronomical Society in recognition of an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics of an exceptionally creative or innovative character. The prize is na ...

, for a creative or innovating contribution to astronomy *The Joseph Weber Award, for a significant advance in astronomical instrumentation *The Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics (joint award with the American Institute of Physics), for outstanding work in astrophysics *The

George Van Biesbroeck Prize The George Van Biesbroeck Prize is an award for long-term achievements in the field of astronomy. According to the American Astronomical Society awards website; "The Van Biesbroeck prize is normally awarded every two years and honors a living indi ...

, for outstanding service to astronomy *The

Annie J. Cannon Award in Astronomy The Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) to a woman resident of North America, who is within five years of receipt of a PhD, for distinguished contributions to astronomy or for similar ...

(awarded in concert with the

American Association of University Women The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The organization has a nationwide network of 170,000 ...

), for outstanding early career by a female astronomer *the

Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award The Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award is awarded by the American Astronomical Society for astronomy writing for an academic audience, specifically textbooks at either the upper-division undergraduate level or the graduate level. Books suitable ...

for astronomy writing for an academic audience *The Beth Brown Memorial Award for exemplary poster and oral research presentation by undergraduate and graduate students *The

Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award Chambliss is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Chris Chambliss (born 1948), American baseball player *Clyde Chambliss, Alabama politician *John R. Chambliss (1833–1864), American soldier * John R. Chambliss Sr. (1809–1875), ...

for exemplary research by undergraduate and graduate students *The Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award for exemplary research by an amateur astronomer *The AAS Education Prize for outstanding contributions to astronomy education (formerly called the Annenberg Foundation Award) Similar prizes are awarded by AAS divisions. These include: *The

Gerard P. Kuiper Prize The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize is awarded annually by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society for outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of planetary science. The prize is named for Gerard P. Kuiper. Kuiper Pr ...

(DPS), for lifetime achievement in planetary science *The

Harold C. Urey Prize The Harold C. Urey Prize is awarded annually by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. The prize recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary science by a young scientist. The prize is named af ...

(DPS), for outstanding early career in planetary science *The Harold Masursky Meritorious Service Award (DPS), for outstanding service to planetary science *The Brouwer Award (DDA), for lifetime achievement in dynamical astronomy *The Bruno Rossi Prize (HEAD), for a significant recent contribution to high-energy astrophysics *The

LeRoy E. Doggett Prize The LeRoy E. Doggett Prize is Awarded biennially by the Historical Astronomy Division of the American Astronomical Society for individuals who have significantly influenced the field of the history of astronomy by a career-long effort. The prize is ...

(HAD), for work in the history of astronomy *The George Ellery Hale Prize (SPD), for lifetime achievement in solar astronomy *The

Karen Harvey Prize The Karen Harvey Prize is awarded by the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in recognition for a significant contribution to the study of the Sun early in a person's professional career. Past winners are: *2003 Dana Longcope *2 ...

(SPD), for outstanding early career in solar astronomy 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.

Past presidents

The following past and present members served as president of the society during the listed periods: * Simon Newcomb (1899–1905) * Edward Charles Pickering (1905–1919) * Frank Schlesinger (1919–1922) * William Wallace Campbell (1922–1925) *

George Cary Comstock George Cary Comstock (February 12, 1855 – May 11, 1934) was an American astronomer and educator. Biography George Comstock was born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 12, 1855, the eldest child of Charles Henry Comstock and Mercy Bronson. In 18 ...

(1925–1928) *

Ernest William Brown Ernest William Brown FRS (29 November 1866 – 22 July 1938) was an English mathematician and astronomer, who spent the majority of his career working in the United States and became a naturalised American citizen in 1923. His life's work was ...

(1928–1931) * Walter Sydney Adams (1931–1934) *

Henry Norris Russell Henry Norris Russell ForMemRS HFRSE FRAS (October 25, 1877 – February 18, 1957) was an American astronomer who, along with Ejnar Hertzsprung, developed the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (1910). In 1923, working with Frederick Saunders, he deve ...

(1934–1937) *

Robert Grant Aitken Robert Grant Aitken (December 31, 1864 – October 29, 1951) was an American astronomer. Early life and education Robert Grant Aitken was born in Jackson, California, to Scottish immigrant Robert Aitken and Wilhelmina Depinau. Aitken atten ...

(1937–1940) * Joel Stebbins (1940–1943) * Harlow Shapley (1943–1946) * Otto Struve (1946–1949) * Alfred Harrison Joy (1949–1952) *

Robert Raynolds McMath Robert Raynolds McMath (May 11, 1891 – January 2, 1962) was a U.S. solar astronomer. Robert R. McMath (1891-1962) was a bridge engineer, businessman, and astronomer. Robert's father, Francis C. McMath, had made a fortune as a bridge build ...

(1952–1954) *

Donald Howard Menzel Donald Howard Menzel (April 11, 1901 – December 14, 1976) was one of the first theoretical astronomers and astrophysicists in the United States. He discovered the physical properties of the solar chromosphere, the chemistry of stars, the atmosp ...

(1954–1956) * Paul Willard Merrill (1956–1958) *

Gerald Maurice Clemence Gerald Maurice Clemence (16 August 1908 – 22 November 1974) was an American astronomer. Inspired by the life and work of Simon Newcomb, his career paralleled the huge advances in astronomy brought about by the advent of the electronic computer. C ...

(1958–1960) *

Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Lyman Spitzer Jr. (June 26, 1914 – March 31, 1997) was an American theoretical physicist, astronomer and mountaineer. As a scientist, he carried out research into star formation, plasma physics, and in 1946, conceived the idea of telesc ...

(1960–1962) *

Carlyle Smith Beals Carlyle Smith Beals, FRS (June 29, 1899 – July 2, 1979) was a Canadian astronomer. Early life and education Carl Beals was born in Canso, Nova Scotia to Reverend Francis H. P. Beals and Annie Florence Nightingale Smith, on June 29, 1899 ...

(1962–1964) * Leo Goldberg (1964–1966) *

Bengt Strömgren Bengt Georg Daniel Strömgren (21 January 1908 – 4 July 1987) was a Danish astronomer and astrophysicist. Life and career Bengt Strömgren was born in Gothenburg. His parents were Hedvig Strömgren (née Lidforss) and Elis Strömgren, wh ...

(1966–1967) * Albert E. Whitford (1967–1970) * Martin Schwarzschild (1970–1972) *

Bart J. Bok Bartholomeus Jan "Bart" Bok (April 28, 1906 – August 5, 1983) was a Dutch-American astronomer, teacher, and lecturer. He is best known for his work on the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy, and for the discovery of Bok globules, ...

(1972–1974) * Robert Paul Kraft (1974–1976) * E. Margaret Burbidge (1976–1978) * Ivan R. King (1978–1980) * David S. Heeschen (1980–1982) * Arthur D. Code (1982–1984) * Maarten Schmidt (1984–1986) *

Bernard F. Burke Bernard Flood Burke (June 7, 1928 – August 5, 2018) was an American astronomer. He co-discovered radio emission from Jupiter, and was part of the team that discovered the first Einstein ring in 1988. Early life Burke was born on June 7 ...

(1986–1988) *

Donald Edward Osterbrock Donald Edward Osterbrock (July 13, 1924 – January 11, 2007) was an American astronomer, best known for his work on star formation and on the history of astronomy. Biography Osterbrock was born in Cincinnati. His father was an electrical en ...

(1988–1990) *

John Norris Bahcall John Norris Bahcall (December 30, 1934 – August 17, 2005) was an American astrophysicist, best known for his contributions to the solar neutrino problem, the development of the Hubble Space Telescope and for his leadership and development of th ...

(1990–1992) *

Sidney C. Wolff Sidney Carne Wolff (born 1941) is an American Astrophysics, astrophysicist, researcher, public educator, and author. She is the first woman in the United States to head a major observatory, and she provided significant contributions to the constr ...

(1992–1994) * Frank Shu (1994–1996) * Andrea K. Dupree (1996–1998) *

Robert D. Gehrz The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

(1998–2000) * Anneila I. Sargent (2000–2002) * Catherine A. Pilachowski (2002–2004) * Robert P. Kirshner (2004–2006) *

J. Craig Wheeler John Craig Wheeler (born 1943) is an American astronomer. He is the Samuel T. and Fern Yanagisawa Regents Professor of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is known for his theoretical work on supernovae. He is a past president of the ...

(2006–2008) *

John Peter Huchra John Peter Huchra ( ; December 23, 1948 – October 8, 2010) was an American astronomer and professor. He was the Vice Provost for Research Policy at Harvard University and a Professor of Astronomy at the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Sm ...

(2008–2010) * Debra M. Elmegreen (2010–2012) *

David Helfand David J. Helfand is a U.S. astronomer who served as president of Quest University Canada from 2008 to 2015. Prior to his presidency at Quest, he was a Visiting Tutor at Quest. He has also served as chair of the Department of Astronomy at Columb ...

(2012–2014) *

Meg Urry Claudia Megan Urry is an American astrophysicist, who has served as the President of the American Astronomical Society, as chair of the Department of Physics at Yale University, and as part of the Hubble Space Telescope faculty.Eileen Pollack"Wh ...

(2014–2016) *

Christine Jones-Foreman Christine Jones Forman is a senior astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian. She is a past president of the American Astronomical Society, and was the director of the Smithsonian Institution's Consortium for Unlockin ...

(2016–2018) *

Megan Donahue Megan Donahue is an American astronomer who studies galaxies and galaxy clusters. She is a professor of physics and astrophysics at Michigan State University, and the president of the American Astronomical Society for the 2018–2020 term. Edu ...

(2018–2020) * Paula Szkody (2020–2022)

References

External links

* * {{authority control Astronomy societies Scientific organizations established in 1899 Scientific societies based in the United States 1899 establishments in the United States