Royal Astronomical Society

Royal Astronomical Society

Entrance to the Royal Astronomical Society at Burlington House, London
Abbreviation	RAS
Formation	10 March 1820; 204 years ago (1820-03-10)
Type	NGO, learned society
Legal status	Registered charity
Purpose	To promote the sciences of astronomy & geophysics
Professional title	Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS)
Headquarters	Burlington House
Location	Piccadilly, London
Coordinates	51°30′32″N 0°8′22″W / 51.50889°N 0.13944°W / 51.50889; -0.13944
Patron	King Charles III
President	Mike Edmunds
Executive Director	Philip Diamond[1]
Website	www.ras.ac.uk
Formerly called	Astronomical Society of London (1820–31)

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is a learned society and charity that encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.^[2] Its headquarters are in Burlington House, on Piccadilly in London. The society has over 4,000 members, known as fellows, most of whom are professional researchers or postgraduate students.^[2] Around a quarter of Fellows live outside the UK.^[2]

The society holds monthly scientific meetings in London, and the annual National Astronomy Meeting at varying locations in the British Isles. The RAS publishes the scientific journals Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Geophysical Journal International and RAS Techniques and Instruments, along with the trade magazine Astronomy & Geophysics.

The RAS maintains an astronomy research library, engages in public outreach and advises the UK government on astronomy education. The society recognises achievement in astronomy and geophysics by issuing annual awards and prizes, with its highest award being the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. The RAS is the UK adhering organisation to the International Astronomical Union and a member of the UK Science Council.