Annie Jump Cannon

Early Life

Annie Jump Cannon was born on December 11, 1863, in Dover, Delaware. As a child, she loved looking at the night sky with her mother, who taught her the names of stars and constellations.

Annie was very curious and enjoyed learning. She went to college at a time when many girls were not encouraged to study science, but she worked hard and followed her dreams.

Learning and Challenges

After college, Annie studied astronomy and photography. She later lost much of her hearing after an illness called scarlet fever, which made life harder.

Even so, Annie did not give up. She learned to focus deeply on her work and became even more determined to succeed.

Amazing Achievements

Annie worked at the Harvard College Observatory as part of a group called the “Harvard Computers.” These were women who studied stars and recorded important data.

Annie’s biggest achievement was creating a simple system to classify stars by their temperature and color. Her system used the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, and M.

This system was so clear and helpful that scientists around the world began using it. Astronomers still use Annie’s star classification system today.

Recognition and Honors

Annie studied and classified hundreds of thousands of stars during her life. She was one of the most productive astronomers of her time.

She became the first woman to receive the Henry Draper Medal, a major astronomy award, and the first woman to serve as an officer of the American Astronomical Society. These honors showed how important her work was.

Legacy

Annie Jump Cannon showed that curiosity, patience, and hard work can change the world. She opened doors for women in science and proved that everyone can make important discoveries.

Today, Annie is remembered as a star scientist who helped us understand the universe better. Her work continues to guide astronomers as they explore the sky.