Payne-Gaposchkin

Definition

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin was a prominent astronomer and astrophysicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the composition of stars, particularly the Sun. She was the first to propose that stars are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, which revolutionized stellar astrophysics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Payne-Gaposchkin's 1925 doctoral thesis concluded that hydrogen is the most abundant element in stars.
2. She used absorption lines in stellar spectra to determine the chemical composition of stars.
3. Her work laid the foundation for modern theories about stellar structure and evolution.
4. Despite initial skepticism, her findings were later confirmed and widely accepted by the scientific community.
5. She became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in astronomy from Radcliffe College.

Review Questions

Related terms

Hydrogen:

The most abundant element in stars, making up roughly 74% of their mass.

Helium:

The second most abundant element in stars, accounting for about 24% of their mass.

Spectroscopy:

A technique used to analyze light absorbed or emitted by substances to determine their composition.