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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 Responds to 2026 President's Budget Request
2 May 2025
The American Astronomical Society responds to the deep cuts proposed in the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026 to NASA's Science Mission Directorate, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of...
AAS Gravely Concerned About Cuts to NASA Science Funding
11 Apr 2025
The American Astronomical Society is gravely concerned about the deep cuts to NASA science funding reported to be in the draft President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026.
AAS Names Steven Finkelstein as Fred Kavli Plenary Lecturer for 246th Meeting
4 Apr 2025
At our June 2025 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, the Kavli Lecture will be given by Steven Finkelstein, an astronomer at The University of Texas at Austin.
AAS Names Recipients of 2025 Awards & Prizes
16 Jan 2025
The AAS has announced the recipients of its 2025 prizes for outstanding achievements in research and education.
AAS Names 24 New Fellows for 2025
13 Jan 2025
The American Astronomical Society is honoring 24 members for extraordinary achievement and service by naming them AAS Fellows. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
AAS Names David Charbonneau as Fred Kavli Plenary Lecturer for 245th Meeting
19 Nov 2024
At our January 2025 meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, the Kavli lecture will be given by David Charbonneau, an astronomer at Harvard University.
University of Michigan Department Earns Physics/Astronomy SEA Change Award
4 Nov 2024
The University of Michigan Department of Astronomy has earned a Bronze Award from the Physics and Astronomy SEA Change Committee for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive astronomy department.
Diana Hannikainen Named Next Editor in Chief of Sky & Telescope Magazine
15 Oct 2024
Astronomer and science communicator Diana Hannikainen has been named the next Editor in Chief of Sky & Telescope, a monthly magazine owned by the AAS that covers all aspects of amateur and professional astronomy.
Astropy Collaboration to Receive 2025 Berkeley Prize
16 Sep 2024
The Astropy Collaboration will receive the 2025 Lancelot M. Berkeley − New York Community Trust Prize for Meritorious Work in Astronomy for the creation of an open-source ecosystem of interoperable astronomy packages...
Astronomical Society of the Pacific Honors Former AAS Press Officer Rick Fienberg
16 Sep 2024
Dr. Rick Fienberg, former AAS Press Officer, is being awarded the ASP's 2024 Klumpke-Roberts Award for his outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.
The Planetary Science Journal Publishes Its 1,000th Article
25 Jun 2024
The Planetary Science Journal, an open-access publication owned by the AAS and its Division for Planetary Sciences, recently published its 1,000th article and received its second strong Journal Impact Factor.
AAS Trustee Jane Rigby Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
3 May 2024
Dr. Jane Rigby, AAS member and elected At-Large Trustee, is being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.
It’s Showtime! April’s Total Solar Eclipse Is Upon Us
28 Mar 2024
The day we’ve been impatiently waiting for is here! On Monday, 8 April 2024, the Moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, creating a total solar eclipse like the one that crossed the United States on 21 August...
AAS & Big Kid Science Unveil Totality 4.0
22 Mar 2024
Just in time for the April 8th Great North American total solar eclipse, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and Big Kid Science have released version 4.0 of the Totality app, available free for iOS and Android...
American Astronomical Society Warns of Counterfeit & Fake Eclipse Glasses
22 Mar 2024
With the April 8th North American total solar eclipse just over two weeks away, potentially unsafe eclipse glasses are polluting the marketplace. Buyer beware!