Vera Rubin |
Vera Rubin (1928–2016) was an astronomer who transformed our conception of the universe by showing that galaxies are composed largely of unseen “dark matter,” which exerts a tremendous gravitational pull. Through a pioneering study, she provided evidence that dark matter must exist to explain galaxies’ observed rotation rates. Rubin’s analysis had a dynamic impact on modern physics and astronomy. She was a mentor and advocate for women scientists and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
National Academy of Sciences’ Biographical Memoir http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/rubin-vera.pdf < previous next > |