Anneographies » astronomer

December 11 Birthday: Annie Jump Cannon

Anne — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:09:29 +0000

Annie Jump Cannon, astronomer

Dec. 11, 1863-Apr. 13, 1941

How We Are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

Cannon was an astronomer and curator of photographs at Harvard Observatory. She was the person responsible for organizing stars into types (O, B, A, F, G, K, M), a classification that is still in use today.

Click on over to the Annie Jump Cannon Homepage at Wellesley.edu.

November 9 Birthday: Benjamin Banneker

Anne — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:05:59 +0000

Benjamin Banneker, mathematician & astronomer

Nov. 9, 1731-Oct. 9, 1806

Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Voyager, 1998)

Banneker, an 18th century free African American was passionate about learning. Aside from excelling professionally in the fields of math and astronomy, he published an almanac and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson about slavery. Brian Pinkney’s hallmark style—scratchboard—illuminates this story.

Go to the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum in Baltimore to learn more about this multi-talented man.

August 11 Birthday: Maria Mitchell

Anne — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:26:44 +0000

Maria Mitchell, astronomer

Aug. 11, 1818-June 28, 1889

Maria’s Comet by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Deborah Lanino (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999)

Maria Mitchell’s passion and determination shine through this fictionalized account of her childhood.

The Maria Mitchell Association in Nantucket continues Mitchell’s legacy through education programs, museums and research.