BellaOnline Forums Education Astronomy Maria Mitchell - 200th Anniversary

The first professional woman astronomer in the USA was Maria Mitchell, born on August 1, 1818.

Maria Mitchell was a true pioneer woman. She didn't brave a physical wilderness. Hers was the harder job of pioneering higher education for women. She was the first American woman to discover a comet, the first to be elected to scientific societies and the first woman professor of astronomy.

Maria Mitchell

In her own words, America's first woman professor of astronomy tells of her meetings with the great and good of the nineteenth century. Maria Mitchell's (1818-1889) sister Phebe collected excerpts from journals and letters to present a pot pourri of Maria's life, ideas and work.

Maria Mitchell - in Her Own Words

Four outstanding women astronomers were honored by a Google Doodle in recent years. None of the Doodles have had a worldwide reach, but there is a link to each delightful drawing and I've given some biographical details. Read on to meet this stellar quartet.

Doodles for Women Astronomers

The Mariah Mitchell Association Nantucket Science Center continues Mitchell's love of discovery and learning.

Maria Mitchell, at the telescope, with some of her students at Vassar.

Maria Mitchell on the longing for knowledge: