Henrietta Swan Leavitt
American astronomer studying Cepheid variables
Born
July 4th, 1868
156 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1921
103 years ago — 53 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
United States
Links & References
An American astronomer and academic contributed significantly to the field of astronomy through research on variable stars, specifically Cepheid variables. Developed a method to determine distances to far-off galaxies using the relationship between a Cepheid's luminosity and its pulsation period. This work laid the foundation for later discoveries regarding the expansion of the universe. Worked at the Harvard College Observatory, where many female astronomers operated under the title of 'computers', analyzing star data and making crucial astronomical advancements during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Developed the period-luminosity relationship for Cepheid variables
Advanced techniques for measuring cosmic distances
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