Sky's Up January-February 2018 | Page 2

Sky ’ s
Up
V ol . 08 — J anuary -F ebruary 2018
Published by the AstronomyOutreach network
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and celebrate public outreach efforts by
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astronomy clubs and larger astronomy and
space education initiatives.
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o o o
Sky’s Up digital magazine is made
possible through a generous contribution
from Explore Scientific.
What’s Up in the Sky............ Pg. 5
Constellation Corner............ Pg. 8
Looking for E.T.................... Pg. 10
Rising Star........................... Pg. 12
On the Road....................... Pg. 54
Meet the Moon.................. Pg. 56
The Art of Astronomy......... Pg. 68
Lunar Calendar................... Pg. 72
Seasonal Sky Calendars...... Pg. 73
Parting Shot........................ Pg. 82
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inside the issue
contents
“I live and work with three basic assumptions: 1) There is no problem in science that can
be solved by a man that cannot be solved by a woman. 2) Worldwide, half of all brains
are in women. 3) We all need permission to do science, but, for reasons that are deeply
ingrained in history, this permission is more often given to men than to women.”
Pursuing her dreams
Documentary chronicles
young Iranian woman’s
journey in astronomy
— Astrophysicist Vera Rubin in Bright Galaxies, Dark Matter
— Page 16
10 Questions
Carolyn Shoemaker reflects
on decades of discovery
— Page 20
Ring master
Drive to discover fuels
Cassini Mission Project
Scientist Linda Spilker
— Page 32
Still searching
SETI has been a lifelong
calling for Jill Tarter
— Page 36
Workplace warrior
Advocate for women in
astronomy tackles tough issues
of equality and harassment
— Page 41
Sky surveyor
Jean Mueller’s long list of
discoveries is sure to impress
— Page 45
COVER ART COURTESY OF L. Eric Smith III
Sky ’ s
Up
Sky ’ s
Up
In this special issue of Sky’s Up,
we are celebrating the significant
contributions and discoveries
women have made in astronomy
and related fields.
The individual stories that unfold
over the following pages are ones
of achievement and challenge.
They are the stories of women
who have made their mark — like
Cassini Project Scientist Linda
Spilker or SETI co-founder Jill
Tarter — and women who are
just beginning their journey in
astronomy — like Pluto researcher
and outreach guru Caitlin Ahrens
or Sepideh Hooshyar, an Iranian
woman who is determined to
study the stars no matter the
obstacles.
In this issue, we highlight
legendary discoverers like Carolyn
Shoemaker and Jean Mueller;
showcase the stunning images
of women astrophotographers;
touch on the invaluable work
women are doing in nonprofits
and outreach; and tackle the
issue of inequality in astronomy
through a Q&A with planetary
scientist and inclusivity advocate
Christina Richey.
Each of the women featured
in this issue are inspiring, and
we hope by giving our readers a
glimpse of the versatile paths they
have forged, we can encourage
more women to find their passion,
resist opposition and reach for the
stars.
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