《天文學雜志》出版了最初的天文學研究，重點是從觀測中得出的重要科學結果。AJ的出版物包括數據采集、調查、分析技術、天文解釋、儀器、軟件和計算的描述。

The Astronomical Journal publishes original astronomical research, with an emphasis on significant scientific results derived from observations. Publications in AJ include descriptions of data capture, surveys, analysis techniques, astronomical interpretation, instrumentation, and software and computing.