Professor Dr. Markus Roth, director of the Thüringer Landessternwarte, is a new member of the board of the German Astronomical Society. The new board was elected at the Members’ Assembly on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 during the Annual Meeting.
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 previously served on the board as a member without office from 2020 to 2022.
New and former members of the board and office of the German Astronomical Society (Photo: Astronomische Gesellschaft/Axel Griesch)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.
Prof. Dr. Markus Roth of the Thuringian State Observatory in Tautenburg was elected as a new board member without office. 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.
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 Thüringer Landessternwarte is a member of the Councel of German Observatories. 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.