Thread by @drbecky_

The @RoyalAstroSoc has just unveiled a new logo - and I admit, when I first saw it my initial thought was "NOPE"

But the more I look at it, the more nuances I see and now I LOVE it. Defending it is the hill I will die on. A THREAD #RASlogo #notsponsored

New [left], old [right]

First of all the RAS is both an astronomical and geological society - so half of the logo circle is made up of telescopes looking outwards into space, the other half is instruments looking down at Earth.

The circle is also tilted 23.5 degrees to reflect the Earth's axis tilt.

The circle itself can then be interpreted in many different ways, representing many different fields studied by members.

First up, I see an eye, the very first instrument humanity used to observe the sky. I can also see it representing the rays of the Sun.

Next, there's the "planetary" aspect to it - the negative space in the logo could be seen as the Moon orbiting Earth, or a planet orbiting the Sun, or an exoplanet orbiting a star.

Similarly, it could be two binary stars orbiting each other.

I'm a big fan of negative space in graphics. I also love black holes. So this next one is clearly my favourite.

The logo to me represents looking down on the typical "black holes bend space-time" picture and seeing space bending to the black hole in the middle.

In another sense, it looks a bit like an explosion - which evokes thoughts of the Big Bang to me as well (not that the Big Bang was truly an "explosion" as such), at least in an artistic way

Sticking on the Big Bang theme, in the negative space, I also see it reflecting Hydrogen - the most abundant element in the Universe - with one electron orbiting one proton in the centre.

The talent of the graphic designer who came up with this astounds me. The fact that a few simple circles can represent everything from our eyes, through solar system & planetary studies, stellar studies, black hole studies, chemistry and cosmology is truly incredible.

And there are probably so many more interpretations that I haven't even thought of yet. I'm sure people will have their own to chip in on this thread

Now I know that it won't be to everyone's taste and there are some arguments that the RAS should have consulted members before changing it, or held a "logo design" competition and vote.

But that doesn't take away the time and careful thought that went into designing this

I've also heard people say it's not obvious from the logo that it's an astronomy society.

Well, I don't think the old logo with Herschel's telescope was obvious to many that it was a telescope either.

I think this new logo is modern, intriguing and makes the @RoyalAstroSoc stand out from other learned society logos. It represents so much of the work done by both professional and amateur fellows of the society #RASlogo

And most importantly it looks coooool 😎

@RoyalAstroSoc Can't find who the specific designer was to thank them for the thought that went into this but the project was led by @johnsonbanks 👏