Jocelyn Bell Burnell, born on July 15, 1943, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a distinguished astrophysicist renowned for her discovery of pulsars – rapidly spinning neutron stars emitting regular radio pulses.
In 1967, while pursuing her doctorate at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Antony Hewish, Bell Burnell detected unusual radio signals characterized by consistent pulses occurring approximately every 1.3 seconds. This groundbreaking observation led to the identification of pulsars, significantly advancing our understanding of stellar evolution and neutron stars.
Despite her pivotal role in this discovery, the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded solely to Antony Hewish and Martin Ryle, omitting Bell Burnell. This exclusion has been a subject of ongoing debate, highlighting issues of gender bias within the scientific community. Reflecting on this, Bell Burnell remarked that, at the time, it was uncommon for students to receive such recognition, and she did not feel aggrieved by the omission.
Throughout her illustrious career, Bell Burnell has held numerous prominent positions, including serving as President of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics. She has been a strong advocate for diversity in science, using her platform to support underrepresented groups. In 2018, she was awarded the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics and generously donated the £2.3 million prize money to fund scholarships for women, ethnic minorities, and refugee students pursuing physics research.
Bell Burnell’s contributions have been widely recognized, earning her numerous accolades and honorary degrees. Her dedication to promoting inclusivity and excellence continues to inspire future generations in the scientific community.
Those interested in finding out more could read her book “A Quaker Astronomer Reflects: Can a Scientist Also Be Religious?” where she discusses religion and science.