The Glass Universe

Astronomers have explored space for centuries without leaving the ground. Some of the most important astronomical discoveries of the twentieth century were made by women who overcame discrimination and whose work is just now being recognized.

Sobel’s book not only tells the story of a group of women who revolutionized our view of the universe, but it also helps us understand how astronomers go about their work of discovery.

This is a very readable account of a group of women working on a project at Harvard University’s observatory in the late nineteenth century. The project involved studying glass-plate negatives of the sky and in doing so learning more about the night sky, the composition of stars, and their evolution. Through the story of these women, Sobel shows the extent to which the university supported and nurtured them, it also brilliantly brings to life these women using their own words to show their awareness of certain injustices. This book is a great way into to understanding science as it properly… show more.

Beginning late in the 19C the Harvard Observatory employed a group of female assistants from a wide variety of backgrounds to work in the laboratory; they were sometimes referred to as ‘human computers.’ They were all fascinated by the stars and good at mathematics, and their task, initially, was to use images taken through telescopes to locate stars precisely and measure their brightness. Later, again using images recorded on glass photographic plates (hence the book’s title) they began to classify stars based on their spectra – essentially determining their chemical composition. Sobel’s wonderful book highlights the thrill of discovery and… show more.

Authors who focus on the lives, careers, and achievements of the so-called "great men of science" have too often omitted mention of the invisible essential workers whose indispensable contributions made those achievements possible. These assistants -- family members, friends, neighbors, young recruits -- were pressed into work for, at best, meager compensation and little to no recognition for their efforts.  Fortunately, more authors, like Dava Sobel, who write on the history of science are going beyond the public record, delving into private correspondence, diaries, and other lesser-known accounts to uncover and make known the important work of assistants' behind-the-scenes contributions.… show more.