Our Collection
"Who Are They"
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
“The woman who discovered how to measure distances in the Universe’
Henrietta Swan Leavitt was an American astronomer, but in her time was referred to as a human "computer" at Harvard College Observatory. She discovered a correlation between period and luminosity in stars called variable stars. More elaborately, these correlations proved t
“The woman who discovered how to measure distances in the Universe’
Henrietta Swan Leavitt was an American astronomer, but in her time was referred to as a human "computer" at Harvard College Observatory. She discovered a correlation between period and luminosity in stars called variable stars. More elaborately, these correlations proved that the period measurements gave information on the intrinsic brightness of the variable star. And comparing that to the apparent brightness led to accurate measurements light years away. Most prominently, Leavitt's Law has contributed to discovering our place in the galaxy and discovered the universe itself!
- For more information: https://www.aavso.org/henrietta-leavitt-%E2%80%93-celebrating-forgotten-astronomer
Katherine Johnson
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Creola Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who went on to work for NASA during a pivotal time in space exploration. Her calculations of orbital mechanics were imperative to the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. Later helping men land on the moon and return to earth safely!
- For more information: https://www.nasa.gov/people-of-nasa/katherine-johnson-biography/
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin was a British-born American astronomer. As an astronomer and astrophysicist she made the revolutionary discovery that the universe is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium! She was the first woman to teach at Harvard University.
Cecilia was pioneering in both her professional and personal life. In her day it was
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin was a British-born American astronomer. As an astronomer and astrophysicist she made the revolutionary discovery that the universe is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium! She was the first woman to teach at Harvard University.
Cecilia was pioneering in both her professional and personal life. In her day it was expected that she give up her career once having a family, which she refused to do.
- For more information: https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/curriculum-collections/cosmic-horizons-book/cecilia-payne-profile
Vera Cooper Rubin
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
Vera Rubin was an American astronomer who discovered dark matter! She got her Ph.D. in astronomy at Georgetown University and ended up teaching there as well. She went on to become a research astronomer at Carnegie Institution of Science. She was the associated editor of the Astronomical Journal and the editorial board of Science Magazine
Vera Rubin was an American astronomer who discovered dark matter! She got her Ph.D. in astronomy at Georgetown University and ended up teaching there as well. She went on to become a research astronomer at Carnegie Institution of Science. She was the associated editor of the Astronomical Journal and the editorial board of Science Magazine. Rubin was on the astronomical committee at Harvard University and at the National Academy of the Sciences. Rubin was given honorary degrees from Creighton University, Harvard University, and Yale University. She won the National Medal of Sciences in 1993
Our Founder
Jessica Soto is a science communicator that has worked in STEM education for over a decade. Working with astronomers and science educators, she has often heard that some of the most pivotal women in science are not well represented. Working at Mount Wilson Observatory since March 2016, she felt an even greater inspiration learning about Henrietta Swan-Leavitt and her contributions to the discovery of the universe itself! Science-Women Shirts is an effort to spread the knowledge of women like Henrietta that have been forgotten, yet have accomplished something incredible.