American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is a society in the USA consisting of professional astronomers and astronomical scientists. Headquartered in Washington, DC AAS aims to advance astronomy and related science and advocacy . The AAS was founded in 1899 by George Ellery Hale . She is the editor of the Astrophysical Journal and Astronomical Journal .
The AAS has around 7,000 members and is divided into six departments (as of 2013):
- Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS, founded 1968)
- Division on Dynamical Astronomy (DDA, 1969)
- High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD, 1969)
- Solar Physics Division (SPD, 1969)
- Historical Astronomy Division (HAD, 1980)
- Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD, 2012)
The AAS organizes large specialist conferences for its members twice a year, and there are also departmental events.
Awards
The AAS awards a number of awards, including:
- Henry Norris Russell Lectureship , in recognition of lifetime achievement in astronomical research
- Newton Lacy Pierce Prize for Astronomy
- Helen B. Warner Prize
- Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize
- Joseph Weber Prize for Astronomical Instrumentation
- Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics , awarded jointly with the American Institute of Physics
- Annie Jump Cannon Prize for Astronomy
- Bruno Rossi Prize
- Harold C. Urey Prize
Others
The asteroid (3654) AAS was named after the company.