New Board of the German Astronomical Society

During the Annual Meeting of the German Astronomical Society in Garching, the new board of the German Astronomical Society was elected at the Members’ Assembly on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. Prof. Dr. Jörn Wilms of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Dr. Karl Remeis Observatory in Bamberg was elected as the new President. Jörn Wilms is Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics and specialises in high-energy astrophysics. His research focuses on the physical processes in the vicinity of black holes and neutron stars, as well as the observation and modelling of high-energy radiation. Jörn Wilms previously served on the board as a member without office from 2020 to 2022.

Prof. Dr. Eva K. Grebel of the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut at the Center for Astronomy of Heidelberg University is the new Vice President. Eva Grebel is Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut. Her research focuses in particular on galaxy formation and evolution, galactic archaeology, stellar populations and the chemical evolution of the Milky Way. After completing her PhD in astronomy at the University of Bonn and conducting research stays, including in the United States, she became a professor at the University of Basel before moving to Heidelberg in 2007. In 2022, she became the first female astronomer to receive the Caroline Herschel Medal, a joint award of the Royal Astronomical Society and the German Astronomical Society (AG).

Prof. Dr. Markus Roth of the Thuringian State Observatory in Tautenburg was elected as a new Board member without office. Markus Roth has been Director of the Thuringian State Observatory since 2023 and is also Professor at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. His research focuses on helio- and asteroseismology, as well as the study of the Sun and the interiors of stars.

The board of the German Astronomical Society also includes Prof. Thomas W. Kraupe, former Director of Planetarium Hamburg, as Treasurer, Dr. Klaus Reinsch of the University of Göttingen as Secretary, Dr. Janine Fohlmeister of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam as Press Officer, and Prof. Dr. Olaf Kretzer of the Suhl School and Public Observatory as a board member without office. The office of the German Astronomical Society is managed by Sabina Bahic of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) and Nuray Ortaköse of the University of Cologne.

With the election of the new board, the terms of Prof. Dr. Stefanie Walch-Gassner of the University of Cologne as President, Prof. Dr. Volker Springel of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching as Vice President, and Prof. Dr. Julia Tjus of Ruhr University Bochum as a Board member without office came to an end. The German Astronomical Society thanks all three for their great commitment and for their important contributions to the Society and to astronomical research in Germany.

Founded in 1863, the German Astronomical Society (AG) is the professional association representing astronomy and astrophysics in Germany. The AG promotes activities in science and research, strengthens exchange among its members, communicates scientific knowledge to the public, and supports education. At the international level, the AG represents the common interests of astronomers in Germany in the European Astronomical Society (EAS) and the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The Council of German Observatories (Rat deutscher Sternwarten, RDS), as an organ of the Astronomical Society, represents the shared interests of German research institutes involved in astronomical research to funding agencies, state and federal authorities, international organizations, and other domestic and foreign bodies.