This journal was originally a local University of Chicago publication, but it grew in stature to become national publication of the American Astronomical Society, then a leading international journal.
Ito ay orihinal na pahayagan ng isang lokal na University of Chicago publikasyon, ngunit ito lumago sa taas upang maging pambansang publikasyon ng American astronomya Society, at pagkatapos, isang nangungunang international journal.