Date of Birth: December 8, 1947
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Margaret J. Geller is an eminent American astrophysicist known for her pioneering work in mapping the large-scale structure of the universe. Born in Ithaca, New York, Geller earned her A.B. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970 and her Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University in 1975. After completing her doctorate, Geller joined the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, where she has spent much of her career. Geller is best known for her contributions to our understanding of the large-scale structure of the cosmos. Her work in the 1980s on the CfA Redshift Survey was groundbreaking, revealing the first three-dimensional maps of the universe and uncovering the so-called “Great Wall” of galaxies, one of the largest known structures in the cosmos. This discovery fundamentally altered our understanding of the universe’s structure. Throughout her career, Geller has received numerous awards and honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship (often referred to as the “genius grant”) in 1990 and the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship of the American Astronomical Society in 2010. She is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
5 Interesting Facts about Margaret Geller
1. Margaret Geller was one of the first women to receive a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University.
2. She co-discovered the “Great Wall,” a massive supercluster of galaxies, which was a groundbreaking achievement in astrophysics.
3. Geller has been a prominent advocate for women in science, often speaking about the challenges and opportunities for women in the field.
4. She was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990, recognizing her innovative contributions to astrophysics.
5. Geller has also worked on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, helping to create the most detailed three-dimensional maps of the universe ever made.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Margaret Geller
1. “The universe is a vast and intricate tapestry, and each thread is a galaxy, each knot a cluster of galaxies.”
2. “Science is not just a body of knowledge but a way of thinking.”
3. “The beauty of the cosmos lies not only in its vastness but also in its intricate, interconnected structures.”
4. “Women bring a unique perspective to science that is essential for its progress.”
5. “Mapping the universe is like doing archaeology but on a cosmic scale.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
As a renowned scientist and professor, Margaret Geller’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Margaret Geller has chosen to keep her personal life private, and there is no publicly available information about whether she has children.
Relevant Links
2. [Biography on the MacArthur Foundation Website](https://www.macfound.org/fellows/399/
5. [Margaret Geller’s TED Talk on Mapping the Universe](https://www.ted.com/speakers/margaret_geller
