Date of Birth: May 16, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: December 25, 2018
Biography
Nancy Grace Roman was an American astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and is best known as the “Mother of Hubble” for her role in organizing the development of the Hubble Space Telescope. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, she developed an early interest in astronomy, organizing stargazing clubs even as a child. She earned her bachelor’s degree in astronomy from Swarthmore College in 1946 and her Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Chicago in 1949. Roman joined NASA in 1959 as the agency’s first Chief of Astronomy in the Office of Space Science, making her one of the first women to hold an executive position at NASA. Her work laid the groundwork for many future space telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990. She was a tireless advocate for space research and women in science, often speaking at schools and universities to encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM. Roman’s contributions to space science were widely recognized, earning her numerous awards and honors, including the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal. She retired from NASA in 1979 but continued to be active in the scientific community until her death in 2018.
5 Interesting Facts about Nancy Roman
1. Nancy Roman was NASA’s first female executive.
2. She played a pivotal role in the development of the Hubble Space Telescope.
3. Roman was also a key advocate for women in STEM fields.
4. She received the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1969.
5. Roman’s work significantly advanced the study of stars and galaxies.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nancy Roman
1. “I think that when you are interested in something, that interest expresses itself and you find ways to pursue it.”
2. “I knew I wanted to be involved in astronomy when I was 11 years old.”
3. “One of my jobs was to find out what astronomers wanted in a telescope.”
4. “The Hubble Space Telescope has really opened up our understanding of the universe.”
5. “I was told from the beginning that women could not be scientists.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Nancy Roman’s net worth was not publicly documented, but her influence and contributions to space science were invaluable.
Children
Nancy Roman did not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Biography of Nancy Roman – American Astronomer](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nancy-Roman
4. [Nancy Roman’s Contributions to Astronomy](https://www.space.com/nancy-roman-hubble-mother.html
5. [Women in Science – Nancy Roman](https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/nancy-roman
