Astronomy & Astrophysics
On the 8th of April 1968, astronomers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian countries gathered at Leiden University. They faced a fragmented landscape where national journals published in French or German reached only small audiences. Research reported in these local publications lacked the global impact seen in American and British journals. The group proposed creating a single journal called Astronomy and Astrophysics, A European Journal to solve this problem. This meeting marked the first serious step toward unifying European astronomical research under one banner.
The first issue of Astronomy & Astrophysics appeared in January 1969 with just four issues that year. It combined Annales d'Astrophysique established in 1938, Bulletin of the Astronomical Institutes of the Netherlands established in 1921, and several other national titles into one monthly publication. By 1973 Arkiv för Astronomi from Sweden joined the fold, followed by the incorporation of the Czechoslovakian bulletin in 1992. Papers submitted in English received twice as many citations compared to those written in French or German. The editorial office eventually moved to the Paris Observatory to handle over two thousand papers annually.
In 2001 the words A European Journal disappeared from the front cover as the scope widened beyond continental borders. Argentina became an observer member in 2002 before gaining full membership status in 2005. Brazil and Chile joined as full members in 2006 though Brazil later withdrew its support in 2016. Portugal Croatia Bulgaria Armenia Lithuania Norway Serbia and Ukraine all added their names during the 2010s. The board decided in 2004 that any country with well-documented active astronomical research could apply for sponsoring membership regardless of geography.
The printed edition of the journal ceased production in 2016 after decades of physical distribution. Electronic publishing led to the extinction of the Supplement Series which had been created in 1970 for tabular material. In 2023 the publication announced links between articles and corresponding datasets held by the European Southern Observatory. Since January 2022 Astronomy & Astrophysics operates under a full open access model known as Subscribe to Open. Authors now pay article processing charges for immediate permanent access while other sections remain free or delayed open access.
Adriaan Blaauw served as the first chairman of the Board of Directors starting from October 1968. Stuart Pottasch and Jean-Louis Steinberg were appointed as the initial editors-in-chief at a Brussels meeting in July 1968. Current leadership includes Thierry Forveille and João Alves who took over the main journal and Letters sections respectively. Claude Bertout held the position for five years before Malcolm Walmsley replaced him in 2013. The board appoints these editors who are responsible for all scientific content within the monthly issues.
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Common questions
When was the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics first published?
The first issue of Astronomy and Astrophysics appeared in January 1969. This publication combined Annales d'Astrophysique established in 1938 with Bulletin of the Astronomical Institutes of the Netherlands established in 1921.
Who were the initial editors-in-chief of Astronomy and Astrophysics?
Stuart Pottasch and Jean-Louis Steinberg were appointed as the initial editors-in-chief at a Brussels meeting in July 1968. Adriaan Blaauw served as the first chairman of the Board of Directors starting from October 1968.
Why did Astronomy and Astrophics change its name to remove A European Journal?
In 2001 the words A European Journal disappeared from the front cover as the scope widened beyond continental borders. Argentina became an observer member in 2002 before gaining full membership status in 2005.
What open access model does Astronomy and Astrophysics use since January 2022?
Since January 2022 Astronomy and Astrophysics operates under a full open access model known as Subscribe to Open. Authors now pay article processing charges for immediate permanent access while other sections remain free or delayed open access.
Which countries joined Astronomy and Astrophysics as members during the 2010s?
Portugal Croatia Bulgaria Armenia Lithuania Norway Serbia and Ukraine all added their names during the 2010s. The board decided in 2004 that any country with well-documented active astronomical research could apply for sponsoring membership regardless of geography.