Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin : an autobiography and other recollections / edited by Katherine Haramundanis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Payne-Gaposchkin, Cecilia, 1900-1979.

Contributor:

Haramundanis, Katherine, 1937-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Payne-Gaposchkin, Cecilia, 1900-1979.

Payne-Gaposchkin, Cecilia.

Astronomers--United States--Biography.

Astronomers.

United States.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xxii, 277 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Summary:

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin became acclaimed in her lifetime as the greatest woman astronomer of all time. Her own story of her professional life, work and scientific achievements is augmented by the personal recollections of her daughter, Katherine Haramundanis, as well as a scientific appreciation by Jesse Greenstein, a historical essay by Peggy Kidwell and, in this new edition, an introduction by Virginia Trimble. Payne-Gaposchkin's overwhelming love for astronomy was her personal guiding light, and her attitude and approach have lessons for all. She received many prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions to science and in 1956 became the first woman to be advanced to the rank of Professor at Harvard University, as well as being the first woman head of department. This book will interest both astronomers and those studying the advancement of the position and status of women in society.

Contents:

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin: an introduction / Virginia Trimble vii

An introduction to 'The dyer's hand' / Jesse L. Greenstein 1

An historical introduction to 'The dyer's hand' / Peggy A. Kidwell 11

A personal recollection / Katherine Haramundanis 39

The dyer's hand: an autobiography / Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Part I The Vision Splendid 75

1 Backgrounds 77

2 Beginnings 84

3 Prelude to education 90

4 Birth of a dream 96

5 Dramatic interlude 104

6 The dream fulfilled 108

7 Pathway to the stars 112

Part II The Light of Common Day 127

8 England and the United States 129

9 Harvard College Observatory 137

10 The cradle of astrophysics 144

11 Harlow Shapley 154

12 Stellar atmospheres 159

13 Spectra and luminosities 167

14 Editorial experiences 173

15 Visiting astronomers 177

16 At the cross roads 182

Part III The Dyer's Hand Subdued 187

17 Turning point 189

18 Prolegomena to variable stars 198

19 International problems 203

20 End of an era 207

21 Retrospect 213

Part IV Reflections 217

22 On being a woman 219

23 Science and myth 228

24 Worlds not realized 234.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0521482518

0521483905

OCLC:

33281965