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Royal Astronomical Society

The Society promotes the study of astronomy and geophysics.

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Activities & Mission

The Society promotes the study of astronomy and geophysics.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£5,156,988
Latest Expenditure
£4,701,437

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 90.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 47% of UK Leisure charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 787). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 99.8%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 67% of UK Leisure charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 4.2%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 41% of UK Leisure charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £28,069
Charitable Activities £4,609,034
Other Trading £14,373
Investments £505,512
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £4,689,798
Raising Funds £11,639
Governance £186,225
Grants to Institutions £257,975
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£5,156,988
£4,701,437£4,689,798£26,970,240£7,879,68625 / 100
2023
£7,082,695
£5,276,132£5,256,517£25,823,874£7,659,98223 / 100
2022
£5,280,990
£4,733,200£4,690,887£23,477,081£7,028,15124 / 100
2021
£5,236,311
£4,455,397£4,447,240£23,646,473£7,422,04924 / 100
2020
£4,845,401
£4,532,478£4,523,227£21,507,367£5,713,23323 / 100

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Royal Astronomical Society

What does Royal Astronomical Society do?

The Society promotes the study of astronomy and geophysics.

How much income did Royal Astronomical Society report in 2024?

Royal Astronomical Society reported total income of £5.16m and reported expenditure of £4.70m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Royal Astronomical Society?

Royal Astronomical Society has a program ratio of 90.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 47% of UK Leisure charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 787 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Royal Astronomical Society registered as a charity?

Royal Astronomical Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 23 September 1963 as charity number 226545. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs Royal Astronomical Society?

Royal Astronomical Society is governed by a board of 19 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Royal Astronomical Society operate?

Royal Astronomical Society operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is Royal Astronomical Society a registered charity?

Yes — Royal Astronomical Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 226545.

Details

Address
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
BURLINGTON HOUSE
PICCADILLY
LONDON
W1J 0BQ
Registration Date
23 September 1963
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
226545
Charity Number
226545

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Trustees

Dr Andrew Young
Dr Andy Nowacki
Dr Arvind Parmar
Dr Chrysa Avdellidou
Dr Iain Hannah
Dr Michael Peel
Dr Olivia Keenan-Williamson
Karen Anne Devoil
Prof David Alexander
Prof Jorick Vink
Prof Mark Lester
Prof Peter Gallagher
Prof Steven Miller
Professor Andrew Curtis
Professor James Hammond
Professor James Wild
Professor Paul Crowther
Professor Stephen Eales
Sheona Urquhart

Sectors & Classifications

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue