Nancy Grace Roman, 'Mother Of Hubble' Space Telescope, Has Died, At Age 93 (npr.org)

Russell Lewis, writing for NPR: When Nancy Grace Roman was a child, her favorite object to draw was the moon. Her mother used to take her on walks under the nighttime sky and show her constellations, or point out the colorful swirls of the aurora. Roman loved to look up at the stars and imagine. Eventually, her passion for stargazing blossomed into a career as a renowned astronomer. Roman was one of the first female executives at NASA, where she served as the agency's first chief of astronomy. Known as the "Mother of Hubble," for her role in making the Hubble Space Telescope a reality, Roman worked at NASA for nearly two decades. She died on Dec. 25 at the age of 93.

Roman fought to earn her place in a field dominated by men, paving the path for future female scientists. She was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1925 and organized an astronomy club in fifth grade. She attended high school in Baltimore, where she requested to take a second year of algebra instead of a fifth year of Latin. When she made the appeal, she recounted in a 2017 interview with NPR that the guidance counselor wasn't supportive of her dream to become a scientist.

Her efforts helped lead to the creation of the Hubble Space Telescope. In her role at NASA, Roman developed and planned the Hubble Space Telescope, which is famous for its stunning images of space. Because of the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists have been able to collect data and gain insight into even the most remote galaxies of the universe. The success of the project led to future space telescopes. Roman's work, however, reached far beyond just the Hubble Space Telescope. In an interview with NASA, Roman once stated that one of the highlights of her career was when she discovered the first indication that common stars were not all the same age.

Comments

So many stories like hers.

[jellomizer]

Unfortunately there are so many stories like hers, where some one aspires to be more then what society says they can be. Makes me wonder, without all that extra luggage how much further could they have became.

Re:So many stories like hers.

[twdorris]

Makes me wonder, without all that extra luggage how much further could they have became.

I firmly believe that this "extra luggage" often contributes to the greatness that unfolds. For someone that has a true passion and interest, these hurdles often seem to me like motivating factors pushing that person to achieve more than they might have if those same achievements had just been "expected" of them.

I think most would agree that you're more likely to pour your heart and soul into a achieving a goal if there's a little resistance along the way...someone else saying you can't do that or simply the fact that you're the first to do it...just *something* that can sweeten the pot a little or act as that little grain of irritating sand needed to make that really big, shiny pearl at the end.

Re: So many stories like hers.

[Ol Olsoc]

One of the things that struck me in the BBC story about her was a woman careers advisor trying to put her off but being completely accepted by her male peers in her scientific role.

That's exactly how it happens. I wrote above how the female scientists and engineers took shit from the staff ladies.

My wife always had trouble with the females who worked for her. Jealousy, backstabbing, rumor mills. The men who worked for her loved her.

I believe the term used is "Crab Potting"

Good scientist, nice gal

[opentunings]

I had the pleasure of interning with Nancy Roman's staff back in the '70's. She was always good with her staff, always approachable, even for a peon like myself. RIP Nancy, it was a pleasure to work for you.

Seriously

[Dunbal]

There can't be that many Nancy Graces around, why does the Angel of Death keep taking the wrong one?

because latin is SO much more useful than math

[v1]

she requested to take a second year of algebra instead of a fifth year of Latin. When she made the appeal, she recounted in a 2017 interview with NPR that the guidance counselor wasn't supportive of her dream to become a scientist.

I don't understand what teachers or councilors like that are thinking. School is to prepare you for adulthood, help you find your direction in life, and give you skills that will get you employment when you graduate. What on earth is FIVE years of latin going to get you? Sure there's a few niche jobs that it'd be useful in - clergy, archeology, maybe museum... but MATH, that will open hundreds of doors for you.

Re:Thought the hubble was only a Pentagon

[HornWumpus]

Damn you're gullible. Even after they admit a story was bullshit, you repeat it.

Hubble is a re-tuned keyhole, turned upward. They've flown 7 or 8 'Hubbles' pointing down, the last new one flew last fucking week.

I don't know what population for feds you work with. Has not been my experience. They're competent at 'working' the federal system, can't be fired.