Astronomical Journal
Encyclopedia
The Astronomical Journal (often abbreviated AJ in scientific papers and references) is a peer-reviewed
monthly scientific journal
owned by the American Astronomical Society
and currently published by Institute of Physics Publishing. It is one of the premier journals for astronomy in the world. Until 2008, the journal was published by the University of Chicago Press
on behalf of the American Astronomical Society
. The reason for the change were given by the society as the desire of the University of Chicago Press to revise its financial arrangement and their plans to change from the particular software that had been developed in-house. The other two publications of the society, the Astrophysical Journal
and its supplement series, followed in January 2009.
The journal was established in 1849 by Benjamin A. Gould. It ceased publication in 1861 due to the American Civil War
, but resumed in 1885. Between 1909 and 1941 the journal was edited in Albany, New York. In 1941, editor Benjamin Boss arranged to transfer responsibility for the journal to the American Astronomical Society.
The first electronic edition of The Astronomical Journal was published in January, 1998. With the July, 2006 issue, The Astronomical Journal began e-first publication, an electronic version of the journal released independently of the hardcopy issues. Its current editor-in-chief is John Gallagher III
(University of Wisconsin–Madison
).
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
monthly scientific journal
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
owned by the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
and currently published by Institute of Physics Publishing. It is one of the premier journals for astronomy in the world. Until 2008, the journal was published by the University of Chicago Press
University of Chicago Press
The University of Chicago Press is the largest university press in the United States. It is operated by the University of Chicago and publishes a wide variety of academic titles, including The Chicago Manual of Style, dozens of academic journals, including Critical Inquiry, and a wide array of...
on behalf of the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
. The reason for the change were given by the society as the desire of the University of Chicago Press to revise its financial arrangement and their plans to change from the particular software that had been developed in-house. The other two publications of the society, the Astrophysical Journal
Astrophysical Journal
The Astrophysical Journal is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering astronomy and astrophysics. It was founded in 1895 by the American astronomers George Ellery Hale and James Edward Keeler. It publishes three 500-page issues per month....
and its supplement series, followed in January 2009.
The journal was established in 1849 by Benjamin A. Gould. It ceased publication in 1861 due to the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, but resumed in 1885. Between 1909 and 1941 the journal was edited in Albany, New York. In 1941, editor Benjamin Boss arranged to transfer responsibility for the journal to the American Astronomical Society.
The first electronic edition of The Astronomical Journal was published in January, 1998. With the July, 2006 issue, The Astronomical Journal began e-first publication, an electronic version of the journal released independently of the hardcopy issues. Its current editor-in-chief is John Gallagher III
John Gallagher III
John S. Gallagher III is an American astronomer.He was raised near New York city and received his undergraduate education at Princeton University. He performed his graduate work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and was awarded a Ph.D in 1972...
(University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
).
Editors
- 2005-present, John Gallagher IIIJohn Gallagher IIIJohn S. Gallagher III is an American astronomer.He was raised near New York city and received his undergraduate education at Princeton University. He performed his graduate work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and was awarded a Ph.D in 1972...
- 1984-2004, Paul W. HodgePaul W. HodgePaul W. Hodge is an American astronomer.He was born in Washington. He earned an undergraduate degree in Physics from Yale and a doctorate in Astronomy from Harvard. In 1965 he and George Wallerstein created the astronomy department at the University of Washington, and he has been a professor...
- 1980-1983 N. H. BakerN. H. BakerNorman H. Baker was a professor of astronomy at Columbia University. His research primarily involved computational investigations of stellar structure and evolution, focusing in particular on variable stars. From 1975 until 1983, he was the editor of the Astronomical Journal.-References:...
- 1975-1979 N. H. BakerN. H. BakerNorman H. Baker was a professor of astronomy at Columbia University. His research primarily involved computational investigations of stellar structure and evolution, focusing in particular on variable stars. From 1975 until 1983, he was the editor of the Astronomical Journal.-References:...
and L. B. Lucy - 1967-1974 Lodewijk WoltjerLodewijk WoltjerLodewijk Woltjer studied at the University of Leiden under Jan Oort earning a PhD in astronomy in 1957 with a thesis on the Crab Nebula. This was followed by post-doctoral research appointments to various American universities and the subsequent appointment of professor of theoretical astrophysics...
(with Baker and Lucy for later volumes) - 1966-1967, Gerald Maurice ClemenceGerald Maurice ClemenceGerald Maurice Clemence was an American astronomer. Inspired by the life and work of Simon Newcomb, his career paralleled the huge advances in astronomy brought about by the advent of the electronic computer. Clemence did much to revive the prestige of the U.S...
- 1965-1966 Dirk BrouwerDirk BrouwerDirk Brouwer was a Dutch-American astronomer.He received his Ph.D. in 1927 at Leiden University in the Netherlands and then went to Yale University...
and Gerald Maurice ClemenceGerald Maurice ClemenceGerald Maurice Clemence was an American astronomer. Inspired by the life and work of Simon Newcomb, his career paralleled the huge advances in astronomy brought about by the advent of the electronic computer. Clemence did much to revive the prestige of the U.S... - 1963-1965 Dirk BrouwerDirk BrouwerDirk Brouwer was a Dutch-American astronomer.He received his Ph.D. in 1927 at Leiden University in the Netherlands and then went to Yale University...
- 1959-1963 Dirk BrouwerDirk BrouwerDirk Brouwer was a Dutch-American astronomer.He received his Ph.D. in 1927 at Leiden University in the Netherlands and then went to Yale University...
and Harlan James SmithHarlan James SmithHarlan James Smith was an American astronomer.He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Paul and Anna McGregor Smith. While attending Wheeling High School he was named first runner up in the "Westinghouse National Science Talent Search". From 1943 until the end of World War II he served... - 1941-1959 Dirk BrouwerDirk BrouwerDirk Brouwer was a Dutch-American astronomer.He received his Ph.D. in 1927 at Leiden University in the Netherlands and then went to Yale University...
- 1912-1941 Benjamin BossBenjamin BossBenjamin Boss was anAmerican astronomer.He was born to Lewis Boss and Helen M. Boss. After attending The Albany Academy, he graduated from Harvard University in 1901 and worked at Dudley Observatory until 1905. Following a year at the U. S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., he became director...
- 1909-1912 Lewis BossLewis Boss-Life:He was born in Providence, Rhode Island and attended secondary school at the Lapham Institute in North Scituate and the New Hampton Institution in New Hampshire. In 1870 he graduated from Dartmouth College, then went to work as a clerk for the U.S. Government. He served as an assistant...
- 1896-1909 Seth Carlo ChandlerSeth Carlo ChandlerSeth Carlo Chandler, Jr. was an American astronomer.He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. During his last year in high school he performed mathematical computations for Benjamin Peirce, of the Harvard College Observatory.After graduating, he became the assistant of Benjamin A. Gould...
- 1849-1861; 1885-1896 Benjamin A. Gould, Jr.