Quotes by Women Astronomers

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

Maria Mitchell

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Annie Jump Cannon

Agnes Mary Clerke

There is no observatory in this land, nor in any land, probably, of which the question is not asked, "Are they doing anything? Why don't we hear from them? They should make discoveries, they should publish."

The cardinal truth emerging from these inquiries is that of the extreme isolation of the solar system. A skiff in the midst of a vast unfurrowed ocean is not more utterly alone.

Agnes Mary Clerke

Since the [Cepheid] variables are probably at nearly the same distance from the Earth, their periods are apparently associated with their actual emission of light, as determined by their mass, density, and surface brightness.

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

"Have we discovered our Galaxy yet?" And I think the answer to this question is "No, not quite". There is plenty of work ahead for the next generation of astronomers.

Whenever we look in nature we can see spiral forms in the uncurling fern, the snail, the nautilus shell, the hurricane, the stirred cup of coffee, the water that swirls out of a wash bowl. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised to see spirals in the great star systems whirling in space. Yet they remain a great, intriguing question.

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

We became astronomers thinking we were studying the universe, and now we learn that we are just studying the 5 or 10 percent that is luminous.

It is a solemn thought that no man liveth unto himself. It is equally true that no star, no atom, no electron, no ripple of radiant energy, exists unto itself. All the problems of the physical universe are inextricably bound up with one another in the relations of space and time.

The wisest astronomer living cannot tell us how far the stars reach...for there is no getting to the borders of space.

When we gaze at the starlit heavens, and admire the silvery radiance of the Milky Way, we would fain believe that there is absolute silence and rest, a perfect haven of repose.

A life spent in the routine of science need not destroy the attractive human element of a woman's nature.

Annie Jump Cannon