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3 December 2025
Brian Jackson Selected as Editor for the Planetary Science Journal
Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, will serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal (PSJ) — a prestigious peer reviewed journal co-owned by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and its largest topical division, the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS). Jackson will assume the role on 1 January 2026.
The journal's inaugural editor, Faith Vilas, oversaw the PSJ's launch in 2019 and shepherded the journal through a period of tremendous growth. Under Vilas's leadership, the journal rapidly rose to become a leading outlet for manuscripts reporting significant new ground-based and space-based observational results, theoretical insights, computational modeling, laboratory experiments, innovations in instrumentation, and field work in the planetary sciences. The PSJ is gold open access, which means that articles are free for all to read immediately upon publication.
Jackson has served as one of the Science Editors for the PSJ since 2020, fielding manuscripts related to his broad research interests, which include phenomena that arise at the interface between surface and atmosphere on Mars, exoplanet atmospheres, planetary orbital evolution, and more. “It has been a privilege to work with Brian in his role as a Science Editor for the PSJ,” says AAS Journals Editor in Chief Ethan Vishniac. “His dedication and energy now make him an ideal replacement for Faith.”
“Brian’s background is ideally suited to being the PSJ’s editor-in-chief. His research background is extremely diverse and touches on the many topics of manuscripts likely to be submitted to the journal,” says DPS Chair Scott Murchie. “Additionally, over his whole career, he has exemplified service and mentorship. He has worked with many students and served the science community and the community around Boise in countless ways from advocating for dark skies, to educational forums, to Earth and planetary science research projects. Brian leads through service.”
“I'm very flattered and humbled to succeed Faith as editor-in-charge of the PSJ,” says Jackson. “With help from our editorial staff and cadre of associate editors, I will work hard to maintain the high standards of science and author support that the PSJ has delivered during the last five years.”
Jackson has degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Arizona. In addition to roles at Boise State University and the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, he currently serves as the Education and Public Outreach Officer for the DPS. He has worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Maryland, and the Carnegie Institution for Science.
Contacts
Image (1,300 x 867 pixel JPEG):
https://aas.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/Brian-Jackson-in-story.jpg
Brian Jackson (Boise State University and Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network) will serve as Editor of the Planetary Science Journal. Courtesy Brian Jackson.
More About Brian Jackson:
https://www.boisestate.edu/physics/faculty-and-staff/faculty/jackson/
More About the Planetary Science Journal:
https://aas.org/press/aas-dps-launch-gold-open-access-planetary-science…
The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. Its membership of approximately 8,000 also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers, and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronomical sciences. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe, which it achieves through publishing, meeting organization, education and outreach, and training and professional development.
The AAS Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), organized in 1968, is the largest of the Society’s six special-interest divisions. DPS members and affiliates study the bodies of our own solar system — from planets and moons to comets and asteroids — and all other solar system objects and processes. With the discovery that planets exist around other stars, the DPS has expanded its scope to include the study of extrasolar planetary systems as well.