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The Glass Universe: How Harvard Women Measured The Stars

The women of the Harvard Observatory take measurements and calculations of stars printed on glass slides. Photo: Harvard Observatory / Wikimedia Commons
The women of the Harvard Observatory take measurements and calculations of stars printed on glass slides. Photo: Harvard Observatory / Wikimedia Commons

'The Glass Universe' explores how the women of Harvard Observatory in 1890 broke through the gender barrier and revolutionized the way astronomers observe the night sky.

Dava Sobel is a former New York Times science reporter and longtime contributor to The New Yorker. Her latest book, the Glass Universe, looks at the women at Harvard Observatory and how they were breaking ground not only because of their gender, but because of the scientific observations they were making in the field of astronomy.

Brendan covers space news for WMFE, everything from rocket launches to the latest scientific discoveries in our universe. He hosts WMFE's weekly radio show and podcast "Are We There Yet?" which explores human space exploration.