Nancy Roman
Full Name and Common Aliases
Nancy Roman was born as Nancy Grace Roman on May 16, 1925.
Birth and Death Dates
May 16, 1925 - December 25, 2018
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Astrophysicist and Administrator
Early Life and Background
Nancy Roman was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She developed an early interest in mathematics and science, encouraged by her parents who instilled in her a love for learning.
Growing up during the Great Depression, Roman's family moved frequently due to her father's job as a chemist. This experience helped her develop self-reliance and adaptability skills that would serve her well throughout her life.
Roman attended the University of Virginia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics and physics. She then pursued her graduate studies at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and later at George Washington University.
Major Accomplishments
Nancy Roman's career spanned over four decades, during which she made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics. Some of her notable accomplishments include:
- Leading the development of the first satellite-based astronomical observatory: Roman was instrumental in creating the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO), a pioneering project that paved the way for modern space-based astronomy.
- Pioneering work on infrared astronomy: Roman's research focused on the study of celestial objects using infrared radiation, which led to a deeper understanding of the universe and its mysteries.
- Administrative roles at NASA: Roman held various administrative positions at NASA, including Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science. Her expertise in astrophysics and her ability to balance technical and administrative tasks made her an invaluable asset to the organization.
Notable Works or Actions
Roman's work on the OAO project led to numerous breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. Some notable examples include:
- The discovery of the first quasar: The OAO satellite allowed scientists to study celestial objects in greater detail, leading to the discovery of the first quasar, a type of extremely luminous object thought to be powered by supermassive black holes.
- Advancements in infrared astronomy: Roman's research using the OAO satellite revealed new insights into the properties and behaviors of celestial objects, particularly those emitting infrared radiation.
Impact and Legacy
Nancy Roman's impact on the field of astrophysics is immeasurable. Her pioneering work laid the groundwork for future generations of scientists and paved the way for our current understanding of the universe.
Roman's legacy extends beyond her scientific contributions. She was a trailblazer for women in STEM fields, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Nancy Roman is widely quoted and remembered due to her groundbreaking work in astrophysics and her commitment to advancing our understanding of the universe. Her achievements have left a lasting impact on the scientific community, ensuring that she remains an influential figure in the field for generations to come.
Roman's legacy extends beyond her own lifetime, inspiring future scientists and researchers to continue exploring the vast expanse of space and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
Quotes by Nancy Roman
I was scheduled to graduate from high school in 1943, but I was in a course that was supposed to give us four years of high school plus a year of college in our four years. So by the end of my junior year, I would have had enough credits to graduate from high school.
I believe that there will be women astronauts sometime just as there are women airplane pilots.
All of the stars rotate, have orbits around the center of the galaxy, and most of them go around the center of the galaxy in nearly circular orbits. They vary a little bit from circular, but they're predominantly circular.
Just as the lunar landings inspired many young people to consider careers in space and related fields, the solution of the challenging instrumentation problems presented in space science can inspire young people to push beyond the current state of the art.
In 1956, I received an invitation to a dedication of an observatory in the Soviet Union, in Soviet Armenia, as a guest of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.
One of the primary ways that astronomers study stars is to spread their light out into a rainbow, which we call a spectrum, and from that rainbow, we can learn something about what the stars are composed of and how hot they are, how bright they are, and how they're moving, at least how they're moving toward or away from us.
You cannot exploit the advantages of getting above the atmosphere unless you are able to get up there reasonably large-sized telescopes and unless you are able to keep these telescopes pointing at one region of the sky for long periods of time to a high degree of accuracy.
A few months after NASA was formed, I was asked if I knew anyone who would like to set up a program in space astronomy.
Many societal problems concern science, such as the energy crisis, genetic alterations of foods.