Nancy Grace Roman was a pioneering astronomer. She is best remembered for being the first chief of astronomy in the Office of Space Science at NASA Headquarters. She was the first woman to hold an executive position at NASA.
Roman was born May 16, 1925, in Nashville, Tennessee, and died December 25, 2018. Her managed NASA projects included the world-famous Hubble Space Telescope, earning her the nickname “Mother of Hubble.”
From a young age, Roman showed an interest in astronomy. At night, she gazed at the sky with her mother to learn about constellations. When she was 11 years old, she organized an astronomy club with her classmates in Reno, Nevada. In this club, they learned about constellations and celestial objects from a book.
By the time she reached high school, Roman realized that she had a passion for astronomy and committed to pursuing it as a career. Her academic prowess was highlighted when she participated in an accelerated program and graduated from Baltimore’s Western High School in only three years.
Roman received her bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College in 1946 and finished her doctorate at the University of Chicago. She attempted to complete her thesis under an unsupportive supervisor. The department told her to leave without completing the degree, but she persisted and finished in 1949. She stayed at the university for another six years, working at the Yerkes Observatory and sometimes the McDonald Observatory in Texas.
During this period, she observed the star AG Draconis and discovered that its emission spectrum had wholly changed compared to earlier observations. This discovery helped to raise her profile within the astronomical community.
As a female in astronomy, Dr. Roman faced many challenges throughout her career. From a young age, she was discouraged from going into astronomy by those around her. She struggled with the field of astronomy’s male dominance and the roles perceived as appropriate for women. During her time at the University of Chicago, it became evident that due to her gender, she would not obtain tenure, and as such, she left.
After leaving the University of Chicago, she worked at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) from 1955 to 1959. There, she entered the new field of radio astronomy. During her time at NRL, she used non-thermal radio source spectra and conducted geodetic work. Within this program, she became the head of the microwave spectroscopy section. Her experience at NRL helped her adapt to an engineering environment, which became essential in her future career.
Nancy Grace Roman stands next to a scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope outside the Hubble control center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
While attending a lecture by Harold Urey, Dr. Roman was approached by Jack Clark, who asked if she knew anyone interested in creating a program for space-based astronomy at NASA. She took this inquiry by Clark as an invitation to apply. In early 1959, six months after NASA was formed, she joined the team. She held various other positions at NASA, including Chief of Astronomy and Solar Physics and Chief of Astronomy and Relativity.
Part of Dr. Roman’s job included planning a program of satellites and rockets. She also administered a significant grant program to support the astronomical community. One of the biggest challenges of her career was getting the Hubble Space Telescope approved by the U.S. Congress. Through her work with this mission, she was coined “the mother of Hubble” by her colleagues, specifically by Edward J. Weiler. Weiler her successor at NASA as Chief of Astronomy following her retirement in 1979.
Nancy Grace Roman briefs Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin on celestial objects in Washington, D.C., 1965. Buzz Aldrin would complete three spacewalks and become the second person to walk on the Moon.
When asked what she thought was the most exciting discovery by Hubble, her reply was, “Dark energy”!
Hubble confirmed the astounding initial measurements that the universe’s expansion was accelerating and extended those measurements to higher redshifts. In physics, a redshift is an increase in the wavelength and a corresponding decrease in the frequency and photon energy of electromagnetic radiation (such as light). The opposite change, a reduction in wavelength and increase in frequency and power, is known as a blueshift or negative redshift. These discoveries excited Dr. Roman, as well as the entire astronomical community.
Dr. Roman’s contributions to astrophysics have had a lasting impact on the field. Her groundbreaking work on the Hubble Space Telescope paved the way for new discoveries in astronomy and cosmology, shaping our understanding of the universe. She was a fierce advocate for science education and public outreach. Roman’s advocacy for women in science also inspired future generations of female scientists to pursue careers in astrophysics and related fields.
“One of the reasons I like working with schools is to try to convince women that they can be scientists, and that science can be fun”. -Nancy Roman
She believed in sharing the wonders of the universe with the general public and worked tirelessly to promote science literacy and education. Roman’s dedication to outreach and education has inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science and technology.
Nancy Grace Roman was a visionary scientist whose pioneering work in astrophysics has profoundly impacted our understanding of the universe. Her leadership in developing the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized the field of astronomy, opening up new horizons for exploration and discovery. Roman’s legacy as the “Mother of Hubble” will continue to inspire future scientists to push the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding.
“My career was quite unusual, so my main advice to someone interested in a career similar to my own is to remain open to change and new opportunities. I like to tell students that the jobs I took after my Ph.D. were not in existence only a few years before”. – Nancy Roman
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is named in her honor. It is currently under development and scheduled for launch in 2026 or 2027.
Dr. Nancy Grace Roman has been officially inducted into the ECG Hall of Fame: Women of Science.
Sources:
1. Elizabeth Howell (March 8, 2024) Space.com. 20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics
2. NASA Science Editorial Team (May 20, 1921). Nancy Grace Roman’s Legacy