Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Date of Birth: July 15, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Biography

Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a renowned astrophysicist, was born in Northern Ireland and is best known for her discovery of radio pulsars in 1967, a groundbreaking finding that significantly advanced the field of astronomy. This discovery, which she made as a postgraduate student at the University of Cambridge, led to significant recognition and accolades within the scientific community. Despite her pivotal role, the Nobel Prize in Physics for this discovery was awarded to her male thesis supervisor, Antony Hewish, and another colleague, Martin Ryle, which sparked significant controversy and discussions about gender bias in science. Throughout her career, Bell Burnell has held several prominent academic and administrative positions, including serving as the President of the Royal Astronomical Society and the first female President of the Institute of Physics. She has been a strong advocate for women in science, working tirelessly to improve opportunities and representation for female scientists. In 2018, she was awarded the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, which she donated to establish scholarships for women, underrepresented ethnic minorities, and refugees studying physics. Bell Burnell has also been a Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford and has published numerous papers and books on astrophysics and related fields. Her work and dedication to science have earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) and being inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

5 Interesting Facts about Jocelyn Bell Burnell

1. Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967 while still a graduate student.

2. She was controversially excluded from the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded in 1974 for the discovery of pulsars.

3. In 2018, she won the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics and donated the entire $3 million prize money to fund scholarships.

4. She was the first female President of the Institute of Physics.

5. Bell Burnell has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the field of physics.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jocelyn Bell Burnell

1. “Science is a quest for understanding. It involves a lot of hard work and a lot of failure, but it’s the ultimate adventure.”

2. “I think if you’re interested in something and you do it well, you should keep doing it.”

3. “Fame is a by-product of what you do, not a goal in itself.”

4. “We are all made of stardust.”

5. “It is important to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Jocelyn Bell Burnell is not publicly documented. However, she received a $3 million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics in 2018, which she donated to charity.