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Sophia Brahe (1556-1643)
Sophia Brahe was a Danish horticulturalist who studied the fields of astronomy, chemistry and medicine. She is best known for working with her brother, Tycho, in finding a supernova and lunar eclipse. Her work helped to allow for a better determination of the planets' orbit around the sun. -
Maria Cunitz (1610-1664)
Maria Cunitz was a German astronomer who provided much insight into the field of Astronomy. She is best known for writing the book Urania Propitia, which gave a better and more advanced solution to Kepler's Problem, which would more easily determine the position of planets in their paths around the sun. -
Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673)
Margaret Cavendish was a British natural philosopher who helped to make some of the major ideas of the Scientific Revolution popular. Cavendish published two books on areas she felt were lacking in terms of discoveries and also advocated for a larger female presence in science as well as better education for girls. -
Maria Winkelmann (1670-1720)
Maria Winkelmann was a German astronomer who worked with her husband, Gottfried Kirch developing astronomical calendars. Since female scientists were not respected at the time, Winkelmann acted as his assistant even though she was actually his co-worker. In 1702, Winkelmann became the first woman to discover a comet. -
Laura Bassi (1711-1778)
Laura Bassi was an Italian physicist who became the first female professor at a European university in history. Bassi is also known for her contributions to Newtonian physics, and the expansion of that field of research. -
Lise Meitner (1878-1968)
Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist who focused her research on radioactivity and nuclear physics. Along with Otto Hahn and Otto Frisch, Meitner helped to discover the process of nuclear fission. This finding would lead to the development of the first nuclear bomb, of which was used in WWII.