Vera Rubin

About

Vera Rubin was a pioneering American astronomer renowned for her groundbreaking work on galaxy rotation rates. Born on July 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, she graduated from Vassar College as the sole astronomy major in 1948. Despite facing gender barriers, Rubin pursued her Ph.D. at Georgetown University under George Gamow. Her research revealed that galaxies clumped together, challenging the notion of random distribution. In 1965, she joined the Carnegie Institution, where she collaborated with Kent Ford to study galaxy rotations using advanced spectrometry. Rubin's most significant contribution was providing compelling evidence for dark matter's existence by observing that galaxies' outer stars moved at the same speed as those near the center, defying expected gravitational dynamics. This work, initially met with skepticism, eventually became pivotal in establishing dark matter as a fundamental aspect of cosmology. Rubin also advocated for women in science, overcoming numerous obstacles throughout her career. Her legacy includes numerous awards and the naming of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in her honor. Rubin passed away on December 25, 2016, leaving behind a profound impact on astrophysics and women's roles in science.