Snackz logo
The Glass Universe

Dava Sobel

353 Pages
2017

The Glass Universe

How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars

Penguin

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

The Glass Universe - Summary

In 'The Glass Universe,' Dava Sobel reveals the remarkable contributions of women at the Harvard College Observatory during the mid-nineteenth century. Initially hired as 'human computers,' these women, including relatives of male astronomers and college graduates, analyzed glass photographic plates of stars. Their meticulous work led to groundbreaking discoveries in star classification and stellar distance measurement. The book, enriched with personal letters and diaries, showcases their perseverance and intellectual achievements that significantly advanced astronomical understanding.

Key Ideas

1

Empowerment of Women in Science

The book highlights the significant yet often overlooked contributions of women in the scientific community. These women broke barriers and defied societal norms, proving that gender should not limit one's potential in any field, especially in science.

2

Advancements in Astronomical Techniques

The book explores the evolution of astronomical techniques, particularly the transition from manual calculations to photographic plates, revolutionizing star study and laying groundwork for future technological advancement in astronomy.

3

Collaboration and Perseverance

The achievements of the women at the Harvard Observatory demonstrate the power of collaborative efforts and relentless perseverance, overcoming gender discrimination and limited resources through teamwork and determination.

FAQ's

The book primarily highlights the contributions of women who worked as 'human computers' at the Harvard College Observatory. These women, initially relatives of male astronomers, later included graduates from prestigious women's colleges. Their work in analyzing glass photographic plates led to significant astronomical discoveries.

The women at the Harvard College Observatory made several groundbreaking discoveries, including the classification of stars and the measurement of stellar distances. Their meticulous analysis of glass photographic plates was crucial in advancing our understanding of the universe.

Dava Sobel enriches the narrative with personal letters and diaries, making the historical account both engaging and inspiring. This approach provides a more intimate look at the lives and contributions of the women, adding depth and personal context to their scientific achievements.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

Women's contribution to astronomy.
0:00 / 1:54

This key idea explores the role of women in advancing the field of astronomy. The author highlights the significant contributions made by women who worked as "human computers" at the Harvard Observatory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These women were hired to analyze astronomical data, a job that was considered menial and tedious at the time. However, they proved to be incredibly skilled and dedicated, and their work was crucial to the development of astronomy.

The author notes that women were attracted to astronomy because it was considered a "suitable" profession for women at the time. However, many of these women were highly educated and talented individuals who could have pursued other careers if they had been given the opportunity. Despite facing discrimination and being paid less than their male colleagues, these women persevered and made lasting contributions to the field of astronomy.

One of the most notable women mentioned in this key idea is Williamina Fleming. She was a Scottish immigrant who was hired by the Harvard Observatory in the 1880s to classify stars. She discovered the existence of white dwarf stars, which were previously unknown to astronomers. Her discovery paved the way for future research on these types of stars.

Another important woman in astronomy mentioned in this key idea is Henrietta Swan Leavitt. She discovered the period-luminosity relationship, which is a fundamental concept in modern astronomy. This relationship is used to measure the distance between galaxies and has helped astronomers map the universe.

Annie Jump Cannon is also highlighted in this key idea for her work in developing the stellar classification system. This system is still used today and has helped astronomers better understand the properties of stars.

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin's discovery of the composition of stars is also mentioned in this key idea. She was the first person to suggest that stars were composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, which was a radical idea at the time.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Books

The Five Love Languages

The Five Love Languages

Gary Chapman

312 Pages
2016
The Friend Zone Experiment

The Friend Zone Experiment

A sweet, friends-to-lovers second-chance romance from Zen Cho

Zen Cho

326 Pages
2024
The Count of Monte Cristo Volume 1รขle Comte de Monte-Cristo Tome 1: English-French Parallel Text Edition in Six Volumes

The Count of Monte Cristo Volume 1รขle Comte de Monte-Cristo Tome 1: English-French Parallel Text Edition in Six Volumes

Alexandre Dumas

433 Pages
2010
Half of a Yellow Sun

Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

560 Pages
2008
Thank You for Leaving: Learning to be okay with saying goodbye | A new book by one of Indiaโ€™s highest selling authors - Rithvik Singh

Thank You for Leaving: Learning to be okay with saying goodbye | A new book by one of Indiaโ€™s highest selling authors - Rithvik Singh

Singh, Rithvik, Singh, Rithvik

200 Pages
2025
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Guide Used Car Edition

Kelley Blue Book Consumer Guide Used Car Edition

Consumer Edition

Kelley Blue Book

0 Pages
2016
Pedro Pรกramo

Pedro Pรกramo

Rulfo, Juan, Weatherford, Douglas J., Mรกrquez, Gabriel Garcรญa

144 Pages
2023
Starling House

Starling House

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that is the perfect dark Gothic fairytale for autumn!

Alix E. Harrow

392 Pages
2023
Machine Learning For Dummies

Machine Learning For Dummies

John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron

464 Pages
2021
Summer Love

Summer Love

Subina Bhaแนญแนญarฤฤซ

256 Pages
2015
In Patagonia

In Patagonia

Bruce Chatwin

241 Pages
2003
Ascension

Ascension

Nicholas Binge

365 Pages
2023
Cristiano and Leo

Cristiano and Leo

The Race to Become the Greatest Football Player of All Time

Jimmy Burns

0 Pages
2018
Find Your Why

Find Your Why

A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team

Simon Sinek, David Mead, Peter Docker

258 Pages
2017
Weather For Dummies

Weather For Dummies

John D. Cox

384 Pages
2021
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made

Jason Schreier

312 Pages
2017
The Beautiful Mystery

The Beautiful Mystery

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

Louise Penny

384 Pages
2012
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

JAMES BALDWIN

230 Pages
1953
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan

400 Pages
2025
Radical Focus

Radical Focus

Achieving Your Most Important Goals with Objectives and Key Results

Christina Wodtke

254 Pages
2021
The Birth of Modern Europe

The Birth of Modern Europe

Monica Dambrosio, Roberto Barbieri

72 Pages
1993
Find Your Unicorn Space

Find Your Unicorn Space

Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World

Eve Rodsky

353 Pages
2022
All of Me

All of Me

How I Learned to Live with the Many Personalities Sharing My Body

Kim Noble

394 Pages
2012
Successful and Set for Life

Successful and Set for Life

Get Everything You Want in Life, Work, and Relationships

Les J. Tripp MBA

197 Pages
2015
Resurrection Men

Resurrection Men

Ian Rankin

484 Pages
2005
The Echo of Old Books

The Echo of Old Books

A Novel

Barbara Davis

0 Pages
2023
Time Wise

Time Wise

Productivity Secrets of the World's Most Successful People

Amantha Imber

243 Pages
2023
Let Us Go Then, You And I

Let Us Go Then, You And I

Louis Peddicord

296 Pages
2011
Crocodile on the Sandbank

Crocodile on the Sandbank

Miss Marple crossed with Indiana Jones!

Elizabeth Peters

289 Pages
2011
The Hundred-page Machine Learning Book

The Hundred-page Machine Learning Book

Andriy Burkov

160 Pages
2019

Let's find the best book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book

Discover the Snackz AI catalogue

Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.