— Ch. 1 · The First Issue Of 1827 —
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 9th of February 1827, the first issue appeared under the title Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society of London. This publication marked the beginning of a continuous run that has lasted nearly two centuries. The society itself had been founded just three years prior in 1820 to promote astronomical science. Early issues were printed and distributed directly by the members themselves without external commercial help. The name changed to reflect the Royal Astronomical Society after receiving royal patronage in the second volume. For decades, the journal served as the primary record for British astronomers sharing their findings.
Publishing Partnerships And Logistics
Blackwell Publishing took over production duties starting in 1965 until 2012 when Oxford University Press assumed control. Before this transition, the society handled all printing and distribution in-house from its founding until 1965. The partnership with Blackwell later became part of Wiley-Blackwell before transferring fully to OUP. Print publication officially ceased following the April 2020 volume during the global pandemic. The shift to online-only format occurred in 2020 to ensure continuity while physical distribution halted. Thirty-six issues now appear annually divided into nine volumes rather than monthly releases.Editorial Leadership And Governance
David Flower serves as editor-in-chief at the University of Durham since 2012. Robert Carswell held the position from 2008 through 2012 before passing the role along. Andy Fabian led the journal between 1994 and 2008. John Shakeshaft managed operations prior to 1994 though exact start dates remain unclear. Roger Tayler began his tenure in 1979 according to historical records. Earlier leadership included Arthur Cayley who served multiple terms spanning 1860 to 1881. Richard Proctor took over briefly from 1872 to 1874. The Royal Astronomical Society maintains editorial control through a board of professional astronomers who oversee peer review processes.