Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America Season 1 Episode 10 Williamina Fleming: Trailblazing Astronomer and Discoverer of Over 300 Stars

Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America season 1 episode 10, titled "Williamina Fleming: Trailblazing Astronomer and Discoverer of Over 300 Stars," sheds light on the life and achievements of an unsung hero of the science world, Williamina Fleming. The episode explores how a Scottish immigrant, who was hired as a maid in 1879 by the Harvard Observatory, went on to make groundbreaking discoveries and blaze a trail for women in astronomy.

The episode delves into Fleming's early life, her marriage to a troubled artist, and their move to America. It also highlights how a chance encounter with Harvard Observatory director Edward Charles Pickering led to her employment at the observatory. The episode showcases Fleming's earliest work at the observatory, sorting through glass plates of star images, which led to her discovery of a new star - an impressive feat for someone with no formal education in astronomy.

The episode also explores how Fleming's accuracy and tenacity set her apart from her male colleagues, leading to her being appointed as the head of the photographic stellar spectra project. She analyzed the spectra of over 10,000 stars, which helped establish the classification system used to this day.

Throughout the episode, various experts provide insights into Fleming's life and achievements. Historian and author Dava Sobel shares her expert opinion on Fleming's contribution to astronomy, saying, "Williamina Fleming was a trailblazer in the field of astronomy. She was not only an anomaly as a woman in science, but she contributed groundbreaking and critical research that was constantly utilized by her colleagues."

The episode also showcases Fleming's legacy and how her work continues to influence modern-day astronomy. Hosts Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin visit the Harvard Observatory archives to view Fleming's glass plate collection and explore how her findings helped shape the field of astronomy.

Overall, Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America season 1 episode 10, "Williamina Fleming: Trailblazing Astronomer and Discoverer of Over 300 Stars," is a touching tribute to a pioneering woman in science whose contributions were often overlooked. The episode showcases not only how Fleming was able to overcome societal barriers but how her scientific discoveries have stood the test of time.