Royal Astronomical Society

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is a United Kingdom learned society and registered charity, founded in 1820 as the Astronomical Society of London and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1831. It advances astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics, and closely related sciences through scientific and public meetings, international research journals, grants, fellowships, medals and prizes, education and outreach, policy advice, professional representation, and a specialist library and archive. Its Fellowship includes professional researchers, students, advanced amateurs, educators, historians, and others across the astronomical, space, and geophysical sciences.