Begun in 1895 by George E. Hale and James E. Keeler, The Astrophysical Journal is the foremost research journal in the world devoted to recent developments, discoveries, and theories in astronomy and astrophysics. Many of the classic discoveries of the twentieth century have first been reported in the Journal, which has also presented much of the important recent work on quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black holes, solar and stellar magnetic fields, X-rays, and interstellar matter. In addition, videos that complement specific issues are periodically available.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series has been published since 1953 in conjunction with The Astrophysical Journal. Designed to bring substantial, extensive support to the material found in the Journal, the Supplement Series contains many of the most frequently cited papers in astronomical literature.

The Astrophysical Journal

Papers published in The Astrophysical Journal present the results of significant original research not previously published. Articles submitted to the Journal should meet this criterion and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Commentary on previously published papers does not constitute significant original research. Authors are advised to examine carefully current issues of the Journal to familiarize themselves with Journal conventions and to note any changes in style before preparing a new paper for submission. In general, Journal style conforms to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.) and The Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed.).

The ApJ has a long history of publishing papers on data and instruments that support astronomical observations and theory. Examples of these include papers presenting fundamental data on atomic, molecular, and nuclear astrophysics (theoretical calculations and laboratory experiments), papers on astronomical instrumentation and facilities, papers presenting novel approaches to data analysis and statistical treatment of astronomical data, or papers on relativity, hydrodynamics, plasma theory, particle theory, etc., as applied in astrophysical contexts.

The criteria for publishing these papers are similar to those applied generally: the results presented must constitute significant new research that is directly relevant to astrophysical applications. This relevance is best demonstrated if the papers contain examples of astrophysical applications (or in the case of new instruments, example observations). If this is not practical, the relevance of the work to astrophysical problems must be clearly explained and justified. Papers that consist solely of experimental or theoretical results in physics, chemistry, fluid mechanics, relativity, etc., should be submitted to journals that specialize in those subjects.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series

Manuscripts containing extensive amounts of data or calculations with relatively little analysis or interpretations, or manuscripts of very specialized interest should be submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. The criteria of novelty and significance will be applied here as well. Note that a Scientific Editor, perhaps based on the recommendation of a referee, may judge that a manuscript be published in the Supplement rather than in the main Journal. Surveys have shown that Supplement papers are referenced in the astronomical literature almost twice as frequently on the average as papers in the main Journal.

The Astrophysical Journal Letters

A manuscript intended for The Astrophysical Journal Letters must generally be prepared in the same way as for the main Journal. Differences in ApJ Letters policy are indicated in the author guidelines. Letters also must satisfy the further requirements of timeliness and brevity.

Timeliness

A Letter should have a significant immediate impact on the research of a number of other investigators or be of special current interest in astrophysics. Permanent, long-range value is less essential. A Letter can be more speculative and less rigorous than an article for Part 1 but should meet the same high standard of quality.

Brevity

A Letter must be concise and to the point. Manuscripts submitted to Letters must adhere to the length limits that are described in the instructions to authors, without sacrifice of sufficient introductory background material such that the paper can be generally understood by scientists who are not specialists in the particular field.