Diana Hannikainen Named Next Editor in Chief of Sky & Telescope Magazine

Astronomer and science communicator Diana Hannikainen has been named the next Editor in Chief of Sky & Telescope (S&T), a monthly magazine owned by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that covers all aspects of amateur and professional astronomy. Hannikainen, who is currently S&T’s Observing Editor, will move into the role of Editor in Chief at the start of November 2024 following the retirement of current S&T Editor in Chief Peter Tyson.

In her new role, Hannikainen will lead S&T’s team of highly experienced editors, designers, and media specialists in producing S&T’s monthly print magazine — in existence since 1941 — and the wide array of timely astronomy and night-sky content online at skyandtelescope.org.

Hannikainen succeeds Peter Tyson, who will retire after a decade-long tenure as S&T’s Editor in Chief. Tyson’s tireless work to further the legacy of S&T caps a significant career as a writer and editor specializing in science, medicine, and the environment. It was under Tyson’s guidance that S&T transitioned to its new home with the AAS in 2019 after the magazine’s former owner declared bankruptcy.

Diana Hannikainen came to S&T in 2017 as a PhD high-energy astrophysicist with a passion for communicating science. “Since I started at S&T, I’ve reconnected with the visual night sky and the inspiring amateur community,” Hannikainen explains. As S&T’s Observing Editor, she produces a variety of features and columns for the magazine and website, generates press releases about upcoming night-sky events, conducts outreach, and fields media inquiries. Hannikainen is a regular presence at star parties and astronomy club meetings, collaborating within the community to share the latest research and night-sky news and to increase the crossover between amateur and professional astronomy.

In her new role, Hannikainen will become the first woman at the helm of S&T in its 83-year history. “I am overjoyed to have Diana Hannikainen leading Sky & Telescope as its next Editor in Chief,” says AAS CEO Kevin Marvel. “Diana is engaged with and supportive of the amateur astronomy community. She has also served admirably as an editor for the magazine, including mentoring and bringing forward younger authors as magazine contributors. She has many excellent ideas to grow and enhance the magazine and its online content, while continuing to expand outreach to the amateur and the professional communities.”

Hannikainen, for her part, is excited to further build S&T’s legacy. “I have witnessed first-hand what a tight-knit and passionate community the amateur astronomy one is,” she says. “And I’ve learned what an important service S&T provides to that community through resources such as the magazine and our website. I’m eager to see our mission continue in the years to come.”