Journal profile · Earth and Planetary Sciences-Space and Planetary Science
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics
ISSN 2214-4048 · eISSN 2214-4056 · Elsevier BV · Netherlands
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics: CAS Zone 3 · Physics & Astronomy (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 6.03; hybrid open access; APC about USD 2,520; review about 77 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); 182 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics is published by Elsevier BV and is in Zone 3 of Physics & Astronomy in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Cosmology and Gravitation Theories, Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations and Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena, together about 34.8% of its articles. Its main subfields are Astronomy and Astrophysics and Nuclear and High Energy Physics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of High Energy Astrophysics (JHEAP) is the first astrophysical journal that focuses on the study of the most energetic phenomena.JHEAP seeks scientifically sound papers, and particularly those crossing strict specialization fields, attracting wide interest. The journal welcomes manuscripts on theoretical models, simulations and observations of energetic astrophysical objects both in our Galaxy and beyond. Among those, black holes at all scales, neutron stars, pulsars and their nebula, magnetars, fast radio bursts, binaries, novae and supernovae, their remnants, active galaxies are just a few examples. The journal will consider research across the whole electromagnetic spectrum, as well as research using various messengers, such as gravitational waves or neutrinos. Effects of high-energy phenomena on cosmology and star-formation, results from dedicated surveys expanding the knowledge of extreme environments, and astrophysical implications of dark matter are also welcomed topics.The journal does not accept purely theoretical papers without applications to high-energy astronomical objects. In particular, papers on modified gravity, black hole physics, and unified theories without astrophysical applications are considered out of the scope of the journal.JHEAP has no page charges and has a delayed Open Access model, meaning that your article will automatically and without charge become Open Access after 12 months. The journal also accepts Letters, which disseminates timely and impactful results in the field. There is no length limit to the Letters. A speed-up refereeing process (typically in 2 weeks) is reinforced. The scientific editors will check its suitability to the Letters column and decide whether it is sent out for review as a Letter or a regular article. JHEAP also publishes Special Issues, invited reviews, and white papers. Interested authors can directly contact the Editor-in-Chief with well-justified proposals sent to the journal inbox jheap@elsevier.com.JHEAP only publishes professional, verifiable, and reproducible research and does not welcome articles just expressing personal opinions.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Earth and Planetary Sciences-Space and Planetary Science
Editor-in-chief Nanda Rea SpanishPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 5 in mainland China (about 25%); most named Mainland China 5, Italy 5, Germany 3, United States 2, United Kingdom 1 (20 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Cosmology and Gravitation TheoriesPhysics and Astronomy11.8%
- Astrophysical Phenomena and ObservationsPhysics and Astronomy11.7%
- Astrophysics and Cosmic PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy11.3%
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves ResearchPhysics and Astronomy11.1%
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovaePhysics and Astronomy11.1%
- Black Holes and Theoretical PhysicsPhysics and Astronomy5.9%
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy5%
- Dark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy4.1%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Physics & Astronomy Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Physics & Astronomy Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 6.03LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 6.1Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 12.1LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 12.1Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.86LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 2.08LetPub ·
- h-index
- 11LetPub ·
- h-index
- 37OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 168OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 4.54OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 8.2%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 10.9%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 164LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 727 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 179 | 94 | 106 |
| 2025 | 182 | 132 | 789 |
| 2024 | 130 | 129 | 1,336 |
| 2023 | 34 | 34 | 418 |
| 2022 | 43 | 43 | 840 |
| 2021 | 27 | 27 | 254 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
77 dayssubmission to acceptance
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Submission to first decision
- 1 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 32 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 77 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 5 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 2,520 / EUR 2,360 / GBP 2,020 / JPY 312,560 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 2,990 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
Other charges and waivers (author guidelines)
- Page charges
- No page charges
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare7 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Templates
- LaTeX
- Highlights
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Not considered
- papers on instrumentation, projects, or analysis methodology; conference proceedings; articles just expressing personal opinions
Article types accepted6
- lettersThe journal also accepts Letters, which disseminates timely and impactful results in the field. There is no length limit to the Letters. A speed-up refereeing p…Length not stated
- original researchContributions falling into the following categories will be considered for publication: Original research papers, reviews, special issue papers.Original researc…Length not stated
- original research paperContributions falling into the following categories will be considered for publication: Original research papers, reviews, special issue papers.Original researc…Length not stated
- research paperContributions falling into the following categories will be considered for publication: Original research papers, reviews, special issue papers.Original researc…Length not stated
- reviewContributions falling into the following categories will be considered for publication: Original research papers, reviews, special issue papers.Original researc…Length not stated
- special issue paperJHEAP occasionally will publish special issues, but only when these collect new observational results. Special issue topics may be suggested to the Editor-in-Ch…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Delayed open access after 12 months Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of one reviewer for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Rea…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Country or region
- Netherlands
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2214-4048
- Electronic ISSN
- 2214-4056
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of High Energy Astrophysics
What CAS zone is Journal of High Energy Astrophysics in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of High Energy Astrophysics is in Zone 3 of Physics & Astronomy, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Astronomy & Astrophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of High Energy Astrophysics?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 6.03; CiteScore 12.1, h-index 37.
How long does peer review take at Journal of High Energy Astrophysics?
The publisher reports about 77 days (submission to acceptance). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Journal of High Energy Astrophysics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Templates: LaTeX; Highlights: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Journal of High Energy Astrophysics based?
Of the 20 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 5 (about 25%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (5), Italy (5) and Germany (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of High Energy Astrophysics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of High Energy Astrophysics is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Journal of High Energy Astrophysics open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 2,520.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .