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21 August 2025
Ethan Vishniac to Step Down as Editor in Chief of AAS Journals in 2027
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) announces that Dr. Ethan Vishniac will retire from his role as Editor in Chief of the AAS journals at the end of summer 2027. Dr. Vishniac has led the journals through a period of remarkable growth and innovation, championing open access, upholding rigorous peer review, and fostering a culture of collaboration across the astronomical community.
Since his appointment as Editor in Chief in 2015, Dr. Vishniac has overseen the publication of tens of thousands of scientific articles across the Society’s suite of journals, including The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, The Astronomical Journal, The Planetary Science Journal (in partnership with the Division for Planetary Sciences), and Research Notes of the AAS, as well as the online research highlights publication AAS Nova.
Under his leadership, the journals have maintained their status as the leading venues for astronomical research while navigating a rapidly evolving publishing landscape. A sign of the AAS’s continued success has been the significant growth in the number of submissions, which reached more than 800 manuscripts per month this summer.
Prior to serving as Editor in Chief of all AAS journals, Dr. Vishniac served as Editor of The Astrophysical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series starting in 2006. Beginning in his first year in that role, he helped transition the publication of the journals to the Institute of Physics Publishing from the University of Chicago Press. The transition, though difficult, led to improvements in the Society’s publication processes and significant cost savings without any loss of quality or speed of peer review. During his tenure, the Society began publishing The Planetary Science Journal and Research Notes of the AAS.
“Ethan’s tenure has been defined by his deep commitment to scientific integrity and to the community of researchers we serve,” said AAS President Dara Norman. “His steady leadership and vision have helped ensure the AAS journals remain a trusted and essential resource for astronomers worldwide.”
Dr. Vishniac’s retirement will mark the end of a 12-year term as Editor in Chief. In preparation for this transition, the AAS will begin the search for his successor in October 2025. Details of the search process and timeline will be announced on the AAS website and through official Society communications.
“The opportunity to serve as Editor in Chief has been an extraordinary privilege,” said Dr. Vishniac. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together — from modernizing our publishing platforms to broadening participation in the editorial process — and I look forward to supporting a smooth transition.”
The Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Vishniac for his many years of service and looks forward to celebrating his contributions to the AAS and the broader astronomical community over the next two years.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to work so closely with Ethan over so many years to ensure the AAS’s journals are at the top of their game,” said AAS CEO Kevin B. Marvel. “Ethan has been a steady and engaged hand throughout his years of service, and I have always counted on him to engage any situation positively and with the best interest of the community we serve always front and center.”
Further updates about the search process will be shared later this fall.
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The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is a major international organization of professional astronomers, astronomy educators, and amateur astronomers. Its membership of approximately 8,000 also includes physicists, geologists, engineers, and others whose 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 as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community, which it achieves through publishing, meetings, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.