AAS Press Releases
Recent press releases issued by the American Astronomical Society. (If you're looking for press releases from other organizations, see Astronomy in the News.)
AAS Names Two More Prize Recipients for 2021
18 Feb 2021
The American Astronomical Society has named the latest recipients of its Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy and Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize, adding to the roster of 2021 AAS prize winners.
AAS Names 31 New Fellows for 2021
2 Feb 2021
The American Astronomical Society is honoring 31 members for extraordinary achievement and service by naming them AAS Fellows. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
New Programs to Train Astronomy Graduate Students in Scientific Leadership
13 Jan 2021
Thanks to the National Osterbrock Leadership Program, graduate students in astronomy at Columbia University and the University of California, Irvine, will get real-world training in scientific leadership and management.
AAS Names Recipients of 2021 Awards & Prizes
12 Jan 2021
At its 237th semiannual meeting, held virtually in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the AAS announced the recipients of its 2021 prizes for outstanding achievements in research and education.
AAS Joins Other Physics-Related Societies in Support of Open Access
15 Dec 2020
The AAS and 15 other major physics-related professional societies that publish peer-reviewed journals have joined forces to show their commitment to open access for physics research.
AAS Press Officer Richard Tresch Fienberg to Retire in September 2021
23 Nov 2020
Astronomer and science communicator Rick Fienberg has announced that he will retire as Press Officer of the American Astronomical Society effective 1 September 2021, the 12th anniversary of his start date in the job.
AAS to Suspend Its Press-Release-Forwarding Service
23 Oct 2020
The American Astronomical Society has decided to discontinue its press-release-forwarding service by year’s end. Launched more than 30 years ago, the service has become unsustainable.
AAS Congratulates Recipients of Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for Research on Black Holes
6 Oct 2020
UK physicist Roger Penrose, along with AAS members Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez, have been named recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for their theoretical and observational work on black holes.
Report Offers Roadmap to Mitigate Effects of Large Satellite Constellations on Astronomy
25 Aug 2020
Astronomers and satellite operators agree there’s a problem; report from Satellite Constellations 1 (SATCON1) workshop explores practical ways to address it and identifies issues for further study.
Press Conference to Unveil Conclusions from Satellite Constellations 1 (SATCON1) Workshop
20 Aug 2020
NSF's NOIRLab and the AAS will host a joint virtual press conference on Tuesday, 25 August, to present a report on the impact of existing and planned large satellite constellations on optical and infrared astronomy.
Holy Cow! Sherry Suyu to Receive 2021 Berkeley Prize
30 Jul 2020
Sherry Suyu will receive the 2021 Lancelot M. Berkeley–New York Community Trust Prize for her leadership of the H0LiCOW collaboration, which is measuring the cosmic expansion rate using gravitationally lensed quasars.
AAS Names Paul Demorest as Fred Kavli Plenary Lecturer
28 Jul 2020
At AAS 237 in January 2021, the Fred Kavli Plenary Lecture will be given by Paul B. Demorest (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) on NANOGrav, the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves.
Astronomy Genealogy Project Launched
27 Jul 2020
The AAS and its Historical Astronomy Division announce the launch of the Astronomy Genealogy Project, which provides information on more than 33,000 astronomers who earned and/or supervised astronomy-related PhD theses.
AAS President Calls on Members to Support Black Americans Now
2 Jun 2020
Megan Donahue comments on the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor and reaffirms the Society's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to AAS members who are marginalized.
American Astronomical Society Announces First Class of AAS Fellows
25 Feb 2020
The AAS has established a new accolade, Fellow of the AAS, to honor members for extraordinary achievement and noteworthy service to astronomy and to the Society. Meet our Inaugural Fellow and Legacy Fellows!