October 16, 1999
On your birthday, the Earth completed another orbit — 584 million miles traveled since your last celebration.
Maria Mitchell Inspires a Generation
Birthday · October 16, 1999
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published October 16, 1999. Credit: Helen Wright. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
"Do not look at stars as bright spots only - try to take in the vastness of the universe." On October 1, 1847 Maria Mitchell swept the sky with her telescope and discovered a comet (comet Mitchell 1847VI). Honored and recognized internationally for her discovery, Mitchell, who lived from 1818 to 1889, became one of the most famous American scientists of her day. Vassar College appointed Mitchell the first woman Professor of Astronomy and she remained the only woman ever elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences until 1943. Mitchell mentored a generation of scientists, and is fondly remembered for her ability to motivate. "We especially need imagination in science," Maria Mitchell said, "Question everything."
Image credit: Helen Wright