Can anyone confirm, or correct me on the importance of Professor Maria Mitchell's contribution to Astronomy. I am wrapping up a University Research Document, and this never heard of astronomer has given me quite an academically enlightening adventure.
This quest began with a search for an astronomy video in our university library. An easy search (is usually not good enough for my needs), and another video on Sister Juana Inez De La Cruz close by provided a break from weekend homework at home.
The astronomy video was great for making me drowsy enough for a nap. I watch school related videos on the ceiling via a projector. The movie about Sister Juana De La Cruz mentioned some astronomy, amongst her other talents, so I watched the entire movie without losing one blink of an eye.
One link to some serious journals led me to a recent Italian thesis paper about famous women astronomers. Scanning the list for possible candidates would eventually take me to a local library, where my roster of female astronomers who appeared to have contributed something produced several results.
Maria Mitchell seemed to capture my attention, especially since I know nothing about what comets have to offer the world of science. At this point, my biggest complaint is , "Why don't they mention this woman in the public schools, and how come I never heard about her until now?" Famous women in U.S. History? Betsy Ross, good boy, next in the back, Jane Addams attagirl, Pochahontas alright someone has been watching the History Channel.
Okay, I've read some books, visited a local planetarium museum, and scanned the internet for some journal text, some photos, and here I am still wondering what all of the commotion was all about.
Does a comet discovery provide astronomy with one more traceable link to the charting or the constant expansion of our galaxy. Would the time it takes to appear, disappear, and reappear once more give astronomy a clue as to the size of our universe, galaxy, or solar system.
Finally, since this mass of ice/CO 2 is traveling in a set pattern, friction, and some loss of the comet's mass will erode, especially when traveling close to the Sun where the comet's tail is blown outwards by solar winds. This tilt a whirl type of action also exposes the main body of the comet, thereby creating a slight melting effect upon the body of the comet.
Eventually, provided that this comet is not captured by some planet's gravity force, or struck by another celestial object, the entire comet should become nothing more than a memory, and a melted mass of icy matter.
I am going to include Maria Mitchell's ability to calibrate the chronometer's of sailing ships, when she was a young teenager, as part of her contribution to astronomy. I can only speculate that gathering samples of a comet may give us clues about what matter or forms of possible life conditions might exist in the distant regions of our universe.
Thank you for your time and audience
Respectfully Jose Zamora
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Maria Mitchell's Contribution to Astronomy
Re: Mr Zamora
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