The first biography of a pioneering scientist who made significant contributions to our
understanding of dark matter and championed the advancement of women in science. One of the
great lingering mysteries of the universe is dark matter. Scientists are not sure what it is
but most believe it's out there and in abundance. The astronomer who finally convinced many of
them was Vera Rubin. When Rubin died in 2016 she was regarded as one of the most influential
astronomers of her era. Her research on the rotation of spiral galaxies was groundbreaking and
her observations contributed significantly to the confirmation of dark matter a most notable
achievement. In Vera Rubin: A Life prolific science writers Jacqueline Mitton and Simon Mitton
provide a detailed accessible overview of Rubin's work showing how she leveraged immense
curiosity profound intelligence and novel technologies to help transform our understanding of
the cosmos. But Rubin's impact was not limited to her contributions to scientific knowledge.
She also helped to transform scientific practice by promoting the careers of women researchers.
Not content to be an inspiration Rubin was a mentor and a champion. She advocated for hiring
women faculty inviting women speakers to major conferences and honoring women with awards
that were historically the exclusive province of men. Rubin's papers and correspondence yield
vivid insights into her life and work as she faced down gender discrimination and met the
demands of family and research throughout a long and influential career. Deftly written with
both scientific experts and general readers in mind Vera Rubin is a portrait of a woman with
insatiable curiosity about the universe who never stopped asking questions and encouraging
other women to do the same.
