Myrtle L. Richmond | |
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![]() Myrtle L. Richmond, from the 1907 Smith College yearbook | |
Born | Myrtle Leila Richmond September 30, 1882 Vinland, Kansas |
Died | January 2, 1973 Pasadena, California | (aged 90)
Alma mater |
|
Known for | Computer at Mount Wilson Observatory, 1913 to 1947 |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Mathematics and Astronomy |
Institutions |
Myrtle Leila Richmond (September 30, 1882 – January 2, 1973) was an American astronomical researcher, a computer who worked at the Mount Wilson Observatory from 1913 to 1947.
Richmond was born in Vinland, Kansas, the daughter of Frank L. Richmond and Leila Delight Richmond. [1] Her father was construction superintendent in the railroad industry. [2] She graduated from Smith College in 1907, [3] and earned a master's degree in 1908 at the University of Denver. [4] She was active in Smith College alumnae activities in Los Angeles. [5]
Richmond taught mathematics at the University of Denver, [4] and worked at Chamberlin Observatory in Colorado in 1909. [6] She was a fellow in mathematics and astronomy at Goodsell Observatory in 1912, [7] where she worked on Variable stars [8] and a comet's orbit. [9]
Richmond joined the Mount Wilson Observatory computing department in 1913, and retired in 1947, after she "ably assisted in a large number of stellar and solar investigations." [10] [11] [12] She was listed as a member of the observatory's "investigatory staff" in 1917. [13] Her work also helped to establish the location of the planet Pluto, [14] [15] [16] and of the moons of Jupiter. [17] She contributed to several observatory publications, [18] [19] including A photometric study of the pleiades (1931, with Harlow Shapley), Mean distribution of stars according to apparent magnitude and galactic latitude (1925), The mean color-index of stars of different apparent magnitudes. Some relations between magnitude scales (1925), and Mount Wilson catalogue of photographic magnitudes in selected areas 1–139 (1930). [20] She co-authored articles with American astronomer Seth Barnes Nicholson [21] and Danish astronomer Julie Vinter Hansen. [22]
Richmond enjoyed hiking. [23] She died in 1973, aged 90 years, in Pasadena. Her gravesite is in Woodstock, Vermont, [1] her father's hometown. [2]
Myrtle L. Richmond | |
---|---|
![]() Myrtle L. Richmond, from the 1907 Smith College yearbook | |
Born | Myrtle Leila Richmond September 30, 1882 Vinland, Kansas |
Died | January 2, 1973 Pasadena, California | (aged 90)
Alma mater |
|
Known for | Computer at Mount Wilson Observatory, 1913 to 1947 |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Mathematics and Astronomy |
Institutions |
Myrtle Leila Richmond (September 30, 1882 – January 2, 1973) was an American astronomical researcher, a computer who worked at the Mount Wilson Observatory from 1913 to 1947.
Richmond was born in Vinland, Kansas, the daughter of Frank L. Richmond and Leila Delight Richmond. [1] Her father was construction superintendent in the railroad industry. [2] She graduated from Smith College in 1907, [3] and earned a master's degree in 1908 at the University of Denver. [4] She was active in Smith College alumnae activities in Los Angeles. [5]
Richmond taught mathematics at the University of Denver, [4] and worked at Chamberlin Observatory in Colorado in 1909. [6] She was a fellow in mathematics and astronomy at Goodsell Observatory in 1912, [7] where she worked on Variable stars [8] and a comet's orbit. [9]
Richmond joined the Mount Wilson Observatory computing department in 1913, and retired in 1947, after she "ably assisted in a large number of stellar and solar investigations." [10] [11] [12] She was listed as a member of the observatory's "investigatory staff" in 1917. [13] Her work also helped to establish the location of the planet Pluto, [14] [15] [16] and of the moons of Jupiter. [17] She contributed to several observatory publications, [18] [19] including A photometric study of the pleiades (1931, with Harlow Shapley), Mean distribution of stars according to apparent magnitude and galactic latitude (1925), The mean color-index of stars of different apparent magnitudes. Some relations between magnitude scales (1925), and Mount Wilson catalogue of photographic magnitudes in selected areas 1–139 (1930). [20] She co-authored articles with American astronomer Seth Barnes Nicholson [21] and Danish astronomer Julie Vinter Hansen. [22]
Richmond enjoyed hiking. [23] She died in 1973, aged 90 years, in Pasadena. Her gravesite is in Woodstock, Vermont, [1] her father's hometown. [2]