Top 10 Reasons to Publish with the AAS

Our journals help to support the AAS mission to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe. Through our four publications, The Astronomical Journal (AJ), The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ), The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series (ApJS) and The Astrophysical Journal Letters (ApJL), you can disseminate your research to interested readers across the globe.

reason 1 - Want to publish open access? From January 2022, all of our journals are fully open access, meaning your work is instantly freely available for all to read, cite and download.
reason 2 - Our peer-reviewed journals remain among the highest­-ranked publications in the astronomical sciences according to several key metrics.
reason 3 - Once published, your research is immediately available globally for anyone to read. On average, papers published with us receive more than 90 downloads. Your article may be promoted on social media, through our e-mail alerts, or even featured on AAS Nova. You are welcome to post your article in institutional repositories, personal websites, or on arXiv.
reason 4 - Your research will be seen by our Lead Editors who are experts in their respective fields. They are also supported by a committed and experienced team of Subject Editors, ensuring that your article is guided through the review process by people who understand your field and can provide considered and relevant feedback.
reason 5 - Need to get a result out quickly, but not ready for a full paper? Research Notes of the AAS (RNAAS) may be the right choice for you. Articles submitted to RNAAS are published online within three business days of acceptance, thanks to the light­-touch moderation process. In addition, ApJL publishes papers within 17 days from acceptance, and ApJ, ApJS and AJ within 35 days.
reason 6 - We are constantly developing new ways for your research to be shared more easily. From new journal formats, books programs, and AAS Nova, as well as interactive figures, video abstracts and Astronomy Image Explorer, we will continue to push the boundaries of publishing.
reason 7 - You are in control of the way that you present your research. You can choose between a short Research Note, more in-depth and fully peer-reviewed journal article, Letter, or an ebook­ — whichever suits you better.
reason 8 - Be part of the AAS mission to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe. We always appreciate your feedback to improve the way we publish, and regularly meet with the community at scientific meetings to hear more. Moreover, the journals are owned by a non-profit society dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics, rather than a publisher dedicated to its shareholders.
reason 9 - Publish with us and become part of a legacy dating back more than 150 years. You'll join the ranks of luminaries including Lyman Spitzer, Henry Norris Russell, Jan Oort, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Martin Schwarzschild, Vera Rubin, and more who have been published in the AAS journals over the years.
reason 10 - We are dedicated to sharing research and encouraging the free expression and exchange of scientific ideas. Our journals are committed to the philosophy of equality of opportunity and treatment for all authors, regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, disability, or any other reason not related to scientific merit.