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Vera Rubin

American astronomer and physicist (1928-2016) · United States · Scientists · Died at 88

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Vera Florence Cooper Rubin was an American astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation rates.

A life in dates

2016Died25 December 20162009Women in Space Science AwardAward2008Clarivate Citation LaureatesAwardRichtmyer Memorial Lecture AwardAward2004James Craig Watson MedalAward2003Bruce MedalAward2002Gruber Prize in CosmologyAward2001John Scott AwardAward1996Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical SocietyAwardWeizmann Women & Science AwardAward1994Dickson Prize in ScienceAwardHenry Norris Russell LectureshipAward1993National Medal of ScienceAward1928Born23 July 1928

Also in Deutsch

Photos 9

Rubin in 1972, measuring spectra at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C.Rubin in 1972, measuring spectra at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C.Rubin in the 1970s using Kitt Peak National Observatory's 36-inch telescope with Kent Ford's image tube spectrograph attachedRubin in the 1970s using Kitt Peak National Observatory's 36-inch telescope with Kent Ford's image tube spectrograph attachedFamous astronomers: Vera Rubin (2nd from left), Wendy Freedman (3rd), Sandra Faber (4th), Nancy Roman (6th). 1988Famous astronomers: Vera Rubin (2nd from left), Wendy Freedman (3rd), Sandra Faber (4th), Nancy Roman (6th). 1988Vera RubinVera RubinThe Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Milky WayThe Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Milky WayTelescope Mount Assembly of the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope at Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction atop Cerro Pachón in ChileTelescope Mount Assembly of the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope at Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction atop Cerro Pachón in Chile

Awards

Women in Space Science Award2009
Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award2008
Clarivate Citation Laureates2008
James Craig Watson Medal2004
Bruce Medal2003
Gruber Prize in Cosmology2002
John Scott Award2001
Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society1996
Weizmann Women & Science Award1996
Henry Norris Russell Lectureship1994
Dickson Prize in Science1994
National Medal of Science1993

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About this person

Vera Florence Cooper Rubin was an American astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation rates. She uncovered the discrepancy between the predicted and observed angular motion of galaxies by studying galactic rotation curves, the first evidence for the galaxy rotation problem, one key piece of evidence for dark matter. Measurements by other astronomers using 21 centimeter hydrogen line radio telescopes clinched the case.

Country
United States
Category
Scientists
Type
Scientist
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1928 to 2016 · aged 88

In common with Vera

Elizabeth BlackburnBoth received Weizmann Women & Science AwardArthur EddingtonBoth received Bruce MedalCecilia Payne-GaposchkinBoth received Henry Norris Russell LectureshipSaul PerlmutterBoth received Gruber Prize in CosmologyWilliam Alfred FowlerBoth received Bruce MedalSusan SolomonBoth received Weizmann Women & Science Award

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