Maria Mitchell, an American astronomer, died on this day 133 years ago. For those too lazy to do the math, she passed away on June 28, 1889.
Considered as the first female professional astronomer in the United States, Mitchell had a successful career not just in the field of astronomy, but also as an educator, naturalist, and even a librarian. An asteroid as well as a lunar crater were even named in her honor.
Here are some interesting facts and trivia about the first female professional astronomer herself:
An Asteroid and Lunar Crater were Named After Her
As previously mentioned, Maria Mitchell died in 1889. She was 70 years old and had only retired the year before.
Years after her death, an asteroid discovered in 1937 was named after her and called 1455 Mitchella, per an article by Space. One of the craters on the moon have also been named in her honor.
Hall of Fame Inductions
According to the National Women's History Museum, Maria Mitchell was elected to the Hall of Fame of Great Americans in 1905. She was one of the three women who were elected.
She was likewise inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.
She Discovered a Comet While on the Roof of a Bank
According to the article by Space, "Mitchell was using a telescope on the roof of the Pacific National Bank on Nantucket's Main Street, working above the location where her father was a cashier" when she discovered a comet.
She made the discovery on October 1, 1847, according to the National Women's History Museum. She was only 29 years old when she made the discovery.
The comet, more formally known as C/1847 T1, is also known by its nickname, Miss Mitchell's Comet. As for the telescope she used to make her discovery, the National Women's History Museum says in its article that it was only two inches long.
Related Article: The First American Woman Flew to Outer Space on This Day in 1983
She Won a Gold Medal for Her Discovery
Mitchell's discovery of C/1847 T1 did not go unrewarded. In fact, she received a gold medal for her discovery from none other than a king himself.
Specifically, it was King Frederick VI of Denmark who awarded her with a gold medal.
Other Firsts for Maria Mitchell
Maria Mitchell has a couple of firsts in her successful career as an astronomer.
As already mentioned, she is considered the first ever female professional astronomer in the US. Aside from that, she is also the first ever female Professor of Astronomy after she was appointed to the position by Vassar College, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
She is also the first female to ever be elected to the American Academy of Arts and Scientists, and she remained the only female until 1943.
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