The story of a woman forgotten by science and the dream of chasing the Sun

The name Annie Maunder still exists in the scientific world, but it has been lost from the memories of life.

You know Mari Curie? Sure, she was the one who found two very powerful radioactive substances. But if you tell you to list one more female scientist, can you do it?

In fact, there are many great and great women in history, with great contributions to humanity, but are ignored by people. And even, there are people who are considered geniuses, but only because they are born in the wrong time and cannot shine.

Annie Maunder is such a woman.

Annie Maunder - a pioneer woman in the astronomy of the Sun.

Young and passionate about science despite difficulties

Annie Scott Dill Russell was born in 1868 in Strabane (Northern Ireland). With her rich intelligence, she easily received scholarships at prestigious universities - like Girton or Cambridge - and became one of the first female scientists working at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. .

"She was one of those people at the time we called" computer assistant ", hired around the early 1890s by Royal astronomer William Christer," - Sue Bowler, editor of Royal Astronomical explain. This job is cheaply paid for only £ 4 a month.

Royal Greenwich Observatory.

In 1892, Annie Russel and colleague Alice Everett at Greenwich were considered to become a member of the Royal Astronomical Society (ROG). However, they were rejected in the council's secret vote.

Since then, two women have joined the British Amateur Astronomy Organization (BAA). But then Alice gave up for a living, only Annie remained with BAA.

"She is very tough and determined to pursue her scientific career," Dr. Bowler said.

"She received a bachelor's degree from Cambridge in the context of people protesting the granting of university degrees to women. She was determined to accomplish that, and to get a job as a scientist. - an extremely rare thing in astronomy is still considered a male privilege. "

And the dream of chasing the Sun

Annie Russell married his colleague Edward Walter Maunder in 1895.

Annie sat with her husband in a boat.

Strict rules at that time and preconceptions about married women forced Annie to quit her job. However, she returned as a volunteer during the First World War, and finally continued to work in the late 1920s.

Together with Walter, Annie took pictures of the Sun and laid the foundations of modern science on its movement mechanism.

Family photos show that they are preparing to observe eclipse.

"They have to take pictures of the Sun every day, just to capture the location of black streaks and draw diagrams" - according to Bowler - "However, with the knowledge of a mathematician, Annie It took a lot of effort to study them, she did not simply write everything on paper, she was not just a Walter's assistant. "

Annie Maunder made many journeys to "chase the Sun". She wanted to see firsthand the phenomena of eclipse in Lapland, India, Algiers, Mauritius and Labrador.

She even designed a camera for herself, only to capture the Sun, including the world's first dazzling dawn halo.

The photo was taken on May 18, 1901 by Annie Maunder at Mautitius.

Talented woman and hidden works

Under social rules at the time, Annie was only allowed to publish her photos under her husband's name, and she was not entitled to speak at scientific conferences.

In 1908, the Maunders published the book "The Heavens and Their Story" with their knowledge of conventional science. Although it was given under both spouses' names, it was Annie who spent most of her effort writing it.

The book is named after the Maunder couple, but actually only Annie is the author.

It was not until 1916 that Annie became a member of the Royal Society, after 24 years since she was first proposed. She was also the one who brought astronomy to the public, as vice president of BAA.

But then Annie Maunder died in 1947, leaving her legacy buried by the irresistible development of society. But the one who remembers her is only an expert science, while the public doesn't even know who Annie Maunder is.

However, today Annie and her works are commemorated by the Annie Maunder Medal , honoring community contributions in science.

Medal of Annie Maunder.

In her lifetime, she had not received exactly what she deserved, but her dedication to world astronomy was an indisputable evidence of a talented female scientist in her later years. 19th century, early 20th century.