Classes of Membership and Affiliation
Application for admission to the AAS no longer requires nomination by two Full Members of the American Astronomical Society. Learn more about the Society's membership class changes in 2018.
Expand the section to learn about benefits and dues, and to access the application for each membership class.
Full Member
Any person deemed capable of preparing an acceptable scientific paper on some subject of astronomy or related branch of science is eligible to become a Full Member; however, the mechanism for compliance with this definition is more inclusive of the activities which advance the astronomical sciences. Applicants must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Possessing a graduate degree in astronomy or a related science;
- Receiving the nomination of a current Full Member in good standing; or
- Placing a refereed publication in a recognized international journal that advances the astronomical sciences, such as the Astronomical Journal, Astrophysical Journal, Icarus, IEEE Sensors Journal, etc.
Full Member Application Form
2023 dues = $199
Participate and Lead
- Renew your membership during the the Society's annual renewal drive and save 15% the following year on your share of the author charges for one paper published in an AAS journal, i.e., the Astronomical Journal, the Astrophysical Journal, Letters, or Supplement, or the Planetary Science Journal (Learn more)
- Present talks at AAS meetings
- Vote in AAS and (where applicable) Division elections
- Hold elected office, and serve on or chair committees
- Nominate eligible colleagues and students for membership
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Save and Learn
- Join AAS Divisions at the discounted AAS member rate
- Register at reduced rates for AAS and Division meetings
- Read your free copy of Physics Today, available in print and online
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS member rate
- Receive discounts on AAS-IOP ebooks, American Institute of Physics (AIP) publications, and special rates on Annual Review publications, such as the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
- Receive competitive insurance rates through the American Physical Society Insurance Trust (APSIT)
- Benefit from financial services through the NASA Federal Credit Union.
Connect and Share
- Post news, announcements, events, and other items
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Find or post the latest career opportunities using the AAS Job Register
- Access detailed search results from the print and online AAS Membership Directory
Graduate Student Member
Graduate Student Members are those who are either considering or pursuing an advanced degree in astronomy or a related science at the graduate school level. The AAS also welcomes those in postbaccalaureate programs to join this membership class.
Graduate Student Member Application Form
2023 dues = $70
Save
- Speak with the AAS Agent at your institution about a four-year membership. Please use this application for the 4-year Agent membership if you're not earning your doctorate or terminal Masters in 2023 or 2024.
- Join AAS Divisions at the discounted AAS member rate
- Renew your membership during the the Society's annual renewal drive and save 15% the following year on your share of the author charges for one paper published in an AAS journal, i.e., the Astronomical Journal, the Astrophysical Journal, Letters, or Supplement, or the Planetary Science Journal (Learn more)
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS member rate
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
- Receive competitive insurance rates through the American Physical Society Insurance Trust (APSIT)
- Benefit from financial services through the NASA Federal Credit Union.
Learn
- Find the latest career opportunities through the AAS Job Register monthly email
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Read your free copy of Physics Today, available in print and online
Participate
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Compete in the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Awards competition
- Vote in AAS and (where applicable) Division elections
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Undergraduate Student Member
Undergraduate Student Members are those with an interest in the astronomical sciences who are pursuing a degree in astronomy or a related science at the college level. High school students are also welcome to join this membership class.
Undergraduate Student Member Application Form
2023 dues = $40
Save
- Join AAS Divisions at the discounted AAS member rate
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS member rate
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
- Receive competitive insurance rates through the American Physical Society Insurance Trust (APSIT)
- Benefit from financial services through the NASA Federal Credit Union.
Learn
- Find the latest career opportunities through the AAS Job Register monthly email
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
Participate
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Compete in the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Awards competition
- Vote in AAS and (where applicable) Division elections.
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
International Affiliate
International Affiliates are astronomers or scientists in closely related fields who do not reside in the United States. Applicants require either nomination by an active Full Member of the AAS or must be members of an affiliated society that requires nomination for membership.
International Affiliate Application Form
2023 dues = $120
Participate
- Renew your membership during the the Society's annual renewal drive and save 15% the following year on your share of the author charges for one paper published in an AAS journal, i.e., the Astronomical Journal, the Astrophysical Journal, Letters, or Supplement, or the Planetary Science Journal (Learn more)
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Save
- Join AAS Divisions at the discounted AAS member rate
- Register at reduced rates for AAS and Divisions meetings
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS affiliate rate
- Receive discounts on AAS-IOP ebooks, American Institute of Physics (AIP) publications, and special rates on Annual Review publications, such as the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
Share
- Post news, announcements, events, and other items
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Find or post the latest career opportunities using the AAS Job Register
- Get detailed search results from the online AAS Membership Directory
Educator Affiliate
Educator Affiliates are professionally engaged in astronomy-related education and public outreach and whose principal employment is at community colleges, elementary and secondary schools, libraries, science centers, museums, planetariums, or agencies (e.g. National Park Service, Girl Scouts of America).
Educator Affiliate Application Form
2023 dues = $90
Save
- Register at reduced rates for AAS and Division meetings
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS affiliate rate
- Receive discounts on AAS-IOP ebooks, American Institute of Physics (AIP) publications, and special rates on Annual Review publications, such as the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
Share
- Post news, announcements, events, and other items
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Find or post the latest career opportunities using the AAS Job Register
- Access detailed search results from the print and online AAS Membership Directory
Participate
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Alumni Affiliate
Alumni Affiliates are those who have left the astronomical sciences or related fields but would like to retain a connection to the AAS community. Prior membership at the Full, Associate, or Junior (dues-paying student) level is desired, but not required.
Alumni Affiliate Application Form
2023 dues = $106
Save
- Register at reduced rates for AAS and Division meetings
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS affiliate rate
- Receive discounts on AAS-IOP ebooks, American Institute of Physics (AIP) publications, and special rates on Annual Review publications, such as the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
Share
- Post news, announcements, events, and other items
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Find or post the latest career opportunities using the AAS Job Register
- Access detailed search results from the print and online AAS Membership Directory
Participate
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Amateur Affiliate
Amateur Affiliates are those who advance or support the astronomical sciences through research, public outreach/communication, or advocacy but who do not depend on an astronomical research and/or educational institution as their primary source of income and who do not qualify for any other class of membership. Applicants must be members of a recognized organization of astronomy enthusiasts, for example, an astronomy club, a citizen science project, an advocacy group, or an association that facilitates professional-amateur collaboration.
Amateur Affiliate Application Form
2023 dues = $53
Save
- Subscribe to Sky & Telescope at the discounted AAS affiliate rate
- Register at reduced rates for AAS and Division meetings
- Receive discounts on AAS-IOP ebooks, American Institute of Physics (AIP) publications, and special rates on Annual Review publications, such as the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Travel with discounted car rentals through Budget and Hertz; contact the membership team for offer codes
Share
- Post news, announcements, events, and other items
- Stay current with the member-only AAS News Digest and email alerts
- Find or post the latest career opportunities using the AAS Job Register
- Access detailed search results from the online AAS Membership Directory
Participate
- Present talks or posters at AAS meetings
- Submit nominations for AAS grants, prizes, and awards
Emeritus Member
Emeritus membership is unlike other classes; it is not open to new members. Instead, any member who has retired from gainful employment and whose contiguous years of membership in the Society total at least 10 years, is eligible to be transferred to Emeritus status in the class of membership held at the time of his or her request.
Emeritus Status Request Form
2023 dues = $100