Astronomers

Astronomers of the African Diaspora

"In 1961, Harvey Washington Banks became the first African American to earn the doctorate specifically in astronomy. His dissertation, at Georgetown University, was titled 'The First Spectrum of Titanium From 6000 to 3000 Angstroms.'" This site recounts the careers of lesser known astronomers of African American, West Indian, etc. descent.

The Bruce Medalists

"The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), founded in San Francisco in 1889, is a worldwide organization that brings together research scientists, teachers, amateur astronomers, and 'armchair astronomers' to 'advance the Science of Astronomy, and to diffuse information concerning it.' The ASP has awarded its highest honor, the Catherine Wolfe Bruce gold medal, for lifetime contributions to astronomy most years since 1898." This site lists and provides brief biographical information on those who have been Bruce Medal recipients. The list can be viewed by name or by year of award.

Carl Sagan Portal

Latino Astronomers

Here are several articles featuring Latino or Latina astronomers: "A Place in the Stars" in the June 2003 issue of Hispanic Magazine features Ellen Ochoa, NASA astronaut, and names several others: Fernando “Frank” Caldeiro, Franklin Chang-Díaz, Carlos Noriega, George Zamka, Danny Olivas, and Michael “L.A.” López-Alegría.

Stephen Hawkings' Web Site

Women in Astronomy: An Introductory Resource Guide

This resource guide, authored by Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College) and Ruth Freitag (Library of Congress) and hosted by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, "is designed to help astronomy instructors, students, historians, and scholars delving into the contributions of women to our culture. It is a directory of written and web-based sources on the contributions of women to the science of astronomy, both in the past and today."

Revised December 12, 2007 by Molly Dahlström Reference Librarian, Austin Community College
Questions, Comments send email to:  mdahlstr@austincc.edu

Page URL: http://library.austincc.edu/w3/AST/astro.htm
Images of planet Earth and Moon from Jim's Cool Icons , © Jim Evins, 1996-2000.