She cataloged the stars—and changed the face of astronomy

She cataloged the stars—and changed the face of astronomy

From #maidlife to #astronomerlife, Williamina Fleming devoted her life to studying and discovering stars and other space phenomena.

July 07, 2022

From #maidlife to #astronomerlife, single mother Williamina Fleming devoted her life to studying and discovering stars and other space phenomena. Her achievements, including mentoring other female astronomers, led her to becoming Harvard College Observatory’s first Curator of Astronomical Photographs in 1898, a position held by women to this day.

Hear from author Dava Sobel, National Geographic Explorer and astronomer Munazza Alam, and former observatory curator Lindsay Smith Zrull, on the impact Williamina Fleming’s work had on generations of women in astronomy.

The National Geographic Society, committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, funded Explorer Munazza Alam's work. Learn more about the Society’s support of Explorers.

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