Visions of the Universe
The Royal Astronomical Society, based in London’s Piccadilly, exists to promote the study of astronomy, solar system science and geophysics, a goal echoed by its motto Quicquid nitet notandum (whatever shines should be observed). Founded on 10 March 1820, with a small membership of largely ‘gentleman astronomers’, the society is now one of the world’s foremost authorities on astronomy and awards a number of prestigious medals and prizes each year, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Today, the society has more than 4,000 members, many of whom are professional researchers, but its influence extends across Britain and further afield, via its awards programme, extensive research library, publishing programme and educational outreach work. From its premises in
