American astronomer Vera Rubin (1928–2016) was a pioneering figure in the field of astrophysics, best known for her groundbreaking work that provided compelling evidence for the existence of dark matter.
Born Vera Florence Cooper on July 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rubin developed an early interest in astronomy. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in 1948, followed by a master’s degree from Cornell University in 1951, and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University in 1954.
Throughout her career, Rubin faced significant gender-based discrimination, often being the only woman in professional settings and encountering skepticism towards her work. Despite these challenges, she remained a steadfast advocate for women in science, mentoring many aspiring female astronomers.
In 1965, Rubin joined the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in Washington, D.C., becoming the first female scientist on the department’s staff.
Rubin’s most significant contribution to astrophysics came from her study of galactic rotation curves. Collaborating with her colleague Kent Ford, she observed that stars at the outer edges of spiral galaxies rotated at similar speeds to those near the center. This observation contradicted the expected Keplerian decline in rotational velocity with increasing distance from the galactic center, suggesting the presence of unseen mass influencing these motions. Her work provided convincing evidence for the existence of dark matter, fundamentally altering our understanding of the universe’s composition.
Despite her monumental contributions, Rubin never received the Nobel Prize, a fact often attributed to gender biases within the scientific community. However, she was honored with numerous other accolades, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and the National Medal of Science.
In recognition of her legacy, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, equipped with the world’s largest digital camera built for astronomy, is set to begin operations in 2025. This facility aims to further our understanding of dark matter and other cosmic phenomena, continuing the path Rubin’s work illuminated.
Vera Rubin’s dedication to uncovering the mysteries of the universe and her advocacy for women in science have left an indelible mark on the field of astronomy, inspiring future generations to explore the cosmos. Her book “Bright Galaxies, Dark Matters” collects many of her most important papers and would be a good place to start reading for anybody interested.