PHOTOGRAPHY

Henrietta Leavitt was born on July 4, 1868, in Lancaster, Massachusetts, into a family deeply tied to education. Her father, a Congregational minister, and her mother, an educated woman, fostered in her a love of learning from an early age. Henrietta showed a keen interest in mathematics and the heavens, which led her to study at Radcliffe College of Harvard University, where she graduated in 1892. However, despite her academic prowess, in 1895 she was admitted to the Harvard College Observatory as an assistant, a position that allowed her to participate in astronomical research beyond the formal limitations of her education.

 

At the observatory, Henrietta devoted herself primarily to the study of variable stars, observing changes in their brightness over time. Her work focused on Cepheid-type stars, which are known for their predictable brightness patterns. Although her employment was considered less prestigious compared to that of her male colleagues, Henrietta proved to be meticulous in her work, analyzing large amounts of data and carrying out precise observations.

 

Throughout her career, Henrietta faced several challenges. As a woman in a predominantly male field, her contributions were often overlooked in the recognition and appreciation of her work. Despite this, her dedication and ability to tackle complex problems earned her the respect of some of her colleagues, who recognized her talent in astrophysics.

 

In 1908, while working with observations of variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds, as well as in other galaxies, Henrietta made a crucial discovery regarding the relationships between the brightness of stars and their periods of variation. Through her meticulous work and data collection, she was able to establish patterns that would be fundamental for future research, although at the time she did not receive recognition for her work.

 

Despite the difficulties, Henrietta continued to develop her career in astronomy. Her work gave her a broad view of the sky and stars, and she dedicated her life to the study of the universe. Leavitt was known to be a kind and generous person, sharing her love of astronomy with others and supporting her colleagues in their research.