Vera Rubin

Date of Birth: July 23, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 25, 2016

Biography

Vera Rubin was an American astronomer who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the study of galaxy rotation rates and the existence of dark matter. Born Vera Florence Cooper on July 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she developed an early interest in astronomy, which was nurtured by her supportive family. Rubin pursued her undergraduate studies at Vassar College, where she graduated in 1948. She later obtained her Master’s degree from Cornell University and her Ph.D. from Georgetown University in 1954. Rubin’s most notable work began in the 1970s when she, along with her colleague Kent Ford, observed the rotation curves of spiral galaxies. They discovered that the outer regions of galaxies were rotating as fast as the inner regions, a phenomenon that could not be explained by the visible matter alone. This led to the groundbreaking conclusion that a significant amount of unseen mass, or “dark matter,” must be present in galaxies. This discovery has had profound implications for our understanding of the universe. Throughout her career, Rubin received numerous honors and awards, including being elected to the National Academy of Sciences and receiving the National Medal of Science in 1993. She was also a strong advocate for women in science, tirelessly working to promote gender equality in the field of astronomy.

5 Interesting Facts about Vera Rubin

1. Vera Rubin was the first woman to legally observe at the Palomar Observatory, which had previously been off-limits to female astronomers.

2. Rubin’s work provided some of the first evidence for the existence of dark matter, a substance that makes up about 27% of the universe.

3. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1977 and later to the National Academy of Sciences in 1981.

4. Rubin received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1996, the first woman to receive the award since Caroline Herschel in 1828.

5. An asteroid, 5726 Rubin, is named in her honor, recognizing her contributions to astronomy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Vera Rubin

1. “We have peered into a new world, and have seen that it is more mysterious and more complex than we had imagined.”

2. “Don’t shoot for the stars; we already know what’s there. Shoot for the space in between because that’s where the real mystery lies.”

3. “Science progresses best when observations force us to alter our preconceptions.”

4. “Each one of you can change the world, for you are made of star stuff, and you are connected to the universe.”

5. “In a spiral galaxy, the ratio of dark-to-visible matter is about a factor of ten. This means that there is much more to learn about the universe.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a dedicated scientist and academic, Vera Rubin’s net worth was not publicly documented or relevant to her achievements. Her value lies in her monumental contributions to science.

Children

Vera Rubin had four children with her husband, Robert Rubin. Their names are David Rubin, Judith Young, Karl Rubin, and Allan Rubin. Notably, her children followed in her footsteps, with careers in science and academia.