ASU Professor named to AAS Fellows Class of 2025
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has announced the AAS Fellows Class of 2025, honoring members for their exceptional contributions and achievements in the field.
Among this year’s class of 24 AAS Fellows are Arizona State University Professor Jim Bell of the School of Earth and Space Exploration, who is also the Director of the ASU Space Technology and Science (“NewSpace”) Initiative and Chief Scientist of the ASU Milo Space Science Institute.
Bell is being recognized for his development of innovative imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation. His work has led to significant discoveries in planetary geology using data from Mars, the Moon, and asteroids. Additionally, he is acknowledged for his efforts in communicating the value and importance of space science through service, advocacy work, and public outreach.
“It’s a thrill and a major honor to be recognized this way by my colleagues in the AAS. I’ve been fortunate over my career to be a member of a number of big teams of astronomers and planetary scientists helping to design, build, test, and operate science instruments for telescopes and robotic spacecraft. None of us does this work alone, and I’m grateful to all of those colleagues and teammates who have enabled me to be part of their successes,” said Bell. “I’m also honored and humbled to be recognized for my service, advocacy, and outreach work. I think it’s critical for scientists to give back to the communities and stakeholders who invest in us, Giving public talks, writing popular science-level books and articles, and helping to advance the cause of organizations like The Planetary Society are all among the many ways that professional scientists can help educate, inform, and inspire the public.”
The AAS Fellows program was established in 2019 to recognize members for their achievements and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and to the American Astronomical Society. Fellows are honored for their contributions to the AAS mission of enhancing and sharing humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.
“It’s wonderful to see Professor Bell recognized not only for his tremendous scientific contributions in the planetary sciences, but also for all he has done to communicate the excitement of space science discoveries to a broader audience. We value both these aspects in our school and congratulate him on this well-deserved honor,” said Meenakshi Wadhwa, director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration.