Royal Astronomical Society

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research (mainly carried on at the time by 'gentleman astronomers' rather than professionals). It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV. A Supplemental Charter in 1915 opened up the fellowship to women. It is the UK adhering organisation to the International Astronomical Union and a member of the Science Council.

Medals

The highest award of the Royal Astronomical Society is its Gold Medal. Among the recipients best known to the general public are Albert Einstein in 1926, and Stephen Hawking in 1985.

Related Topics:
Gold Medal - Albert Einstein - 1926 - Stephen Hawking - 1985

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Other awards include the Eddington Medal, the Herschel Medal, the Chapman Medal, the Price Medal and the Jackson-Gwilt Medal. Lectureships include the Harold Jeffreys Lectureship in geophysics, the George Darwin Lectureship in astronomy, and the Gerald Whitrow Lectureship in cosmology.

Related Topics:
Eddington Medal - Herschel Medal - Chapman Medal - Price Medal - Jackson-Gwilt Medal - Harold Jeffreys Lectureship - Geophysics - George Darwin Lectureship - Astronomy - Gerald Whitrow Lectureship - Cosmology

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