Edmond Halley
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician
Year born
1656
Research Areas
Comets, Transits, Stars, Maths, Geophysics
Cecilia Payne Gaposchkin
Occupation
Astronomer
Year born
1900
Research Areas
Stars, Spectroscopy
- Early Life
Cecilia was born in Wendover, England. Her mother was interested in lots of different topics like nature, music and theatre. Cecilia spent lots of time reading in her home's library.
At the age of 19, she won a scholarship to Cambridge University to study science. During that time, Cecilia went to a talk given by Arthur Eddington. Arthur talked about his recent trip to Africa to observe the stars near a solar eclipse. This sparked Cecilia's interest in astronomy.
Gan De
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician
Year born
Around 400 BCE
Research Areas
Jupiter’s movements, Star maps, Sunspots
- Early Life
There is very little known about Gan De’s life and work, but we do know he was one of the first Chinese astronomers.
- Career Highlights
Gan De wrote at least 2 books: ‘Treatise on Jupiter’ and ‘Astrological Predictions’. His books have since been lost and are no longer available. We know about his work because later astronomers have made reference to it.
Galileo Galilei
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician, Engineer
Year born
1564
Research Areas
Speed, Velocity, Motion, Astronomy, Tides
- Early Life
Galileo was born in Pisa, in the Duchy of Florence (now a part of Italy).
He went to university in Pisa to study medicine. However, after a short while he chose to focus on philosophy and maths instead.
Arthur Eddington
Occupation
Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician
Year Born
1882
Research Areas
Nuclear fusion processes inside stars, General Relativity
- Early Life
Arthur was born in Cumbria, UK before moving to Weston-super-Mare as a child. He was not from a wealthy family. But he did so well at school that he got a scholarship to go to Owen's College, Manchester.
He graduated with a physics degree in 1902. Arthur was then offered a position at Trinity College, Cambridge where he completed his master’s degree. He worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, before returning to Cambridge five years later.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician, Clergyman
Year born
1473
Research Areas
Planets, Mechanics
- Early Life
Nicolaus was born in Thorn, Poland. His father, who sold copper, died when Nicolaus was 10. After his father's death, Nicolaus’ uncle looked after him and made sure he had a good education.
When he was 23, Nicolaus went to Italy to study law. In Italy, he stayed with a maths professor and became interested in astronomy.
Elizabeth Brown
Occupation
Meteorologist, Solar Astronomer
Year born
1830
Research areas
Sunspots, Solar eclipses
- Early Life
Elizabeth was born in Cirencester, UK, in 1830. Her father was the one to spark her interest in science. This was rare as very few women were helped to study or work in science at the time.
Sophia Brahe
Occupation
Astronomer, Writer
Year born
1556
Research Areas
Astronomy, Genealogy
- Early Life
Sophia was born in Knudsturp, Denmark, in 1556. She was the youngest of 10 children. Her oldest brother was the famous astronomer, Tycho Brahe.
Tycho and Sophia were part of a noble Danish family. Their family did not approve of Tycho and Sophia's interest in science. That was not the sort of thing noble people did! Tycho's parents thought he should study law or politics. However, Tycho decided to study astronomy instead.
Annie Maunder
Occupation
Mathematician, Astronomer
Year born
1868
Research Areas
The Sun, Sunspots, Magnetic Storms
- Early Life
Annie was born in Strabane, Northern Ireland. She was excellent at maths from a young age.
Annie went on to study at the University of Cambridge on a scholarship, and passed her exams with honours. Annie was the top student of her year, but she was not given a degree. This is because in 1889 Cambridge would only award degrees to men!
Agnes Clerke
Occupation
Astronomer and Writer
Year born
1842
Research Areas
History of Astronomy, Biographies, Spectroscopy
- Early Life
Agnes was born in Skibbereen, Ireland. She was schooled at home and spent lots of time studying the things her parents enjoyed. Subjects like music, maths, and science. Her father loved astronomy and had a small telescope. Agnes, her father, and her siblings used it to look at the night sky. They saw the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter.