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The American Astronomical Society (AAS, sometimes pronounced "double-A-S") is a US
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 society of professional astronomers
Astronomy

Astronomy is the science of Astronomical object and Phenomenon that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere . It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, meteorology, and motion of celestial objects, as well as the physical cosmology....
 and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC. The main aim of the AAS is to further the science of astronomy and closely related fields of science. Secondary purposes include enhancing astronomy education and providing a political voice for its members through lobbying and grassroots activities.

History
The society was founded in 1899 through the efforts of George Ellery Hale
George Ellery Hale

George Ellery Hale was an American Sun astronomer, born in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at the Observatory of Harvard College, , and at Humboldt University of Berlin ....
.






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The American Astronomical Society (AAS, sometimes pronounced "double-A-S") is a US
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 society of professional astronomers
Astronomy

Astronomy is the science of Astronomical object and Phenomenon that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere . It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, meteorology, and motion of celestial objects, as well as the physical cosmology....
 and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC. The main aim of the AAS is to further the science of astronomy and closely related fields of science. Secondary purposes include enhancing astronomy education and providing a political voice for its members through lobbying and grassroots activities.

History


The society was founded in 1899 through the efforts of George Ellery Hale
George Ellery Hale

George Ellery Hale was an American Sun astronomer, born in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at the Observatory of Harvard College, , and at Humboldt University of Berlin ....
. The constitution of the group was written by Hale, George Comstock
George Comstock

George Cary Comstock was an United States astronomer and educator.He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Charles Henry Comstock and Mercy Bronson....
, Edward Morley
Edward Morley

Edward Williams Morley was an United States scientist famous for the Michelson-Morley experiment....
, Simon Newcomb
Simon Newcomb

Simon Newcomb was a Canadaian-U.S. astronomer and mathematician. Though he had little conventional schooling, he made important contributions to timekeeping as well as writing on economics, statistics and authoring a science fiction novel....
 and Edward Pickering. These men plus four others were the first Executive Council of the society, Newcomb was the first president. The initial membership was 114. The AAS name of the society was not finally decided until 1915, previously it was the "Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America". One proposed name that preceded this interim name was "American Astrophysical Society".

The AAS today has over 6,500 members and five divisions - the Division for Planetary Sciences
Division for Planetary Sciences

The Division for Planetary Sciences is a division within the American Astronomical Society devoted to solar system research. It was founded in 1968....
 (1968), the Division on Dynamical Astronomy
Division on Dynamical Astronomy

The Division on Dynamical Astronomy is a branch of the American Astronomical Society that focuses on the advancement of all aspects of dynamical astronomy, including celestial mechanics, solar system dynamics, stellar dynamics, as well as the dynamics of the interstellar medium and galactic dynamics, and coordination of such research with oth...
 (1969), the High Energy Astrophysics Division (1969), the Solar Physics Division (1969) and the Historical Astronomy Division (1980).

Divisions


Because the field of astronomy is diverse, several divisions have been formed each of which promotes and enables a differenct branch of astronomy or astronomy-related science as well as working within the overall charter of the AAS. Many of the divisions hold separate meetings in addition to meeting with the main group. The divisions of the AAS, together with their main research interests, are:

  • The Division for Planetary Sciences
    Division for Planetary Sciences

    The Division for Planetary Sciences is a division within the American Astronomical Society devoted to solar system research. It was founded in 1968....
     (DPS) supports planetology and exploration of the solar system
    Solar System

    The Solar System consists of the Sun and those Astronomical object bound to it by gravity: the eight planets and five dwarf planets, their 173 known Natural satellite, and billions of Small Solar System body....
    .


  • The Division on Dynamical Astronomy
    Division on Dynamical Astronomy

    The Division on Dynamical Astronomy is a branch of the American Astronomical Society that focuses on the advancement of all aspects of dynamical astronomy, including celestial mechanics, solar system dynamics, stellar dynamics, as well as the dynamics of the interstellar medium and galactic dynamics, and coordination of such research with oth...
     (DDA) supports research on the dynamics
    Dynamics (mechanics)

    In physics the term dynamics customarily refers to the time evolution of physical processes. These processes may be microscopic as in particle physics, kinetic theory, and chemical reactions, or macroscopic as in the predictions of statistical mechanics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics....
     (orbits, evolution, and history) of astronomical systems from the solar system
    Solar System

    The Solar System consists of the Sun and those Astronomical object bound to it by gravity: the eight planets and five dwarf planets, their 173 known Natural satellite, and billions of Small Solar System body....
     to superclusters of galaxies on cosmological
    Physical cosmology

    Physical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of our universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution....
     scales.


  • The High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) supports knowledge about high energy events, particles
    Subatomic particle

    A subatomic particle is an elementary particle or composite particle particle smaller than an atom. Particle physics and nuclear physics are concerned with the study of these particles, their interactions, and non-atomic QCD matter....
    , quanta, relativistic
    General relativity

    General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the Geometry Theoretical physics of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916....
     gravitational field
    Gravitational field

    A gravitational field is a scientific model used within physics to explain how gravitation exists in the universe. In its original concept, gravity was a force between point masses....
    s, and related phenomena in the astrophysical universe.


  • The Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) supports topics relevant to the history of astronomy as a field, and research using historical astronomical records to solve current problems in astronomy.


  • The Solar Physics Division (SPD) supports solar physics
    Solar physics

    Solar physics is the study of our Sun. It is a branch of astrophysics that specializes in exploiting and explaining the detailed measurements that are possible only for our closest star....
     (astrophysical
    Astrophysics

    Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of astronomical objects such as galaxy, stars, planets, exoplanets, and the interstellar medium, as well as their interactions....
     research on the Sun
    Sun

    The Sun , a G V star, is the star at the center of the Solar System. The Earth and other matter orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for about 98.6% of the Solar System's mass....
    ), and its interactions with the Solar system
    Solar System

    The Solar System consists of the Sun and those Astronomical object bound to it by gravity: the eight planets and five dwarf planets, their 173 known Natural satellite, and billions of Small Solar System body....
     and Earth
    Earth

    Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in diameter, mass and density. It is also referred to as the World and Wiktionary:Terra.Note that by International Astronomical Union convention, the term "Terra" is used for naming extensive land masses, rather...
    .


Prizes


  • The Henry Norris Russell Lectureship
    Henry Norris Russell Lectureship

    The Henry Norris Russell Lectureship is awarded each year by the American Astronomical Society in recognition of a lifetime of excellence in astronomical research....
    , for lifetime achievement in astronomy
  • The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy
    Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy

    The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a young astronomer for outstanding achievement in observational astronomical research....
    , for outstanding early career in observational astronomy
  • The Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy
    Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy

    The Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a young astronomer for a significant contribution to observational or theoretical astronomy....
    , for outstanding early career in theoretical astronomy
  • The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize
    Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize

    The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize is awarded every other year by the American Astronomical Society in recognition of an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics of an exceptionally creative or innovative character....
    , for a creative or innovating contribution to astronomy
  • The Joseph Weber Award
    Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation

    The Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation is awarded by the American Astronomical Society to an individual for the design, invention or significant improvement of instrumentation leading to advances in astronomy....
    , for a significant advance in astronomical instrumentation
  • The Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics
    Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics

    The Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics is jointly awarded each year by the American Astronomical Society and American Institute of Physics for outstanding work in astrophysics....
     (joint award with the American Institute of Physics
    American Institute of Physics

    The American Institute of Physics is an international body representing physicists and publishing physics related journals. It was founded in 1931....
    ), for outstanding work in astrophysics
  • The George Van Biesbroeck Prize
    George Van Biesbroeck Prize

    The George Van Biesbroeck Prize is awarded annually, honoring a living individual for a long-term achievement in the field of astronomy, typically far beyond the requirements of an awardee's paid position....
    , for outstanding service to astronomy
  • The Annie J. Cannon Award in Astronomy
    Annie J. Cannon Award in Astronomy

    The Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a woman resident of North America, who is within five years of receipt of a Ph.D., for distinguished contributions to astronomy or for similar contributions in related sciences which have immediate application to astronomy....
     (awarded in concert with the American Association of University Women
    American Association of University Women

    The American Association of University Women advances Justice for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.Founded in 1881 by Ellen Swallow Richards and Marion Talbot, AAUW celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006-07 with an online museum commemorating its legacy of leadership, scholarship, advocacy, and action....
    ), for outstanding early career by a female astronomer
  • the Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award for astronomy writing for an academic audience
  • The Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award
    Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award

    The Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award is awarded by the American Astronomical Society for an achievement in astronomical research made by an amateur astronomer; that is a person not employed in the field of astronomy in a professional capacity, and who is resident in North America....
     for exemplary research by an amateur astronomer
  • The AAS Education Prize for outstanding contributions to astronomy education (formerly called the Annenberg Foundation Award


Similar prizes are awarded by AAS divisions. These include:

  • The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize
    Gerard P. Kuiper Prize

    The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize is awarded annually by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society for outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of planetary science....
     (DPS), for lifetime achievement in planetary science
  • The Harold C. Urey Prize (DPS), for outstanding early career in planetary science
  • The Harold Masursky Meritorious Service Award
    Masursky Award

    The Harold Masursky Award for Meritorious Service to Planetary Science, usually called the Masursky Award, is awarded annually by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society....
     (DPS), for outstanding service to planetary science
  • The Dirk Brouwer Award (DDA), for lifetime achievement in dynamical astronomy
  • The Bruno Rossi Prize
    Bruno Rossi Prize

    The Bruno Rossi Prize is awarded annually by the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society "for a significant contribution to High-energy astronomy, with particular emphasis on recent, original work." It is named in honor of astrophysicist Bruno Rossi....
     (HEAD), for a significant recent contribution to high-energy astrophysics
  • The LeRoy E. Doggett Prize (HAD), for work in the history of astronomy
  • The George Ellery Hale Prize
    George Ellery Hale Prize

    The George Ellery Hale Prize, or Hale Prize, is awarded annually by the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society for outstanding contributions over an extended period of time to the field of solar astronomy....
     (SPD), for lifetime achievement in solar astronomy
  • The Karen Harvey Prize (SPD), for outstanding early career in solar astronomy


The AAS also manages a Small Research Grant Award program and an International Travel Grant program, which any astronomer working in the US may apply to for funding opportunities.

External links

  • (also contains links to the division websites)