n January 22, 1898, Annie Maunder captured an unprecedented photographic image—the longest coronal streamer that had ever been documented in the sky. This episode of Lost Women of Science delves into Maunder’s life and work in the field of solar physics. Although she was Cambridge-educated and held a paid position at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Maunder was considered an amateur astronomer. It was her husband Walter, a fellow astronomer, who was usually credited for her significant contributions. Silvia Dalla, Professor of Solar Physics (University of Central Lancashire) and Lyndsay Fletcher, Professor of Astrophysics (University of Glasgow), along with hosts Katie Hafner and Samia Bouzid, discuss the challenges faced by nineteenth-century women in science and the societal barriers that limited their opportunities.
Born in 1868 in Northern Ireland, Annie developed a fascination with astronomy at a young age. She believed that the heavens had a “story to tell,” as she later explained in a 1908 volume published with her husband. Despite her exceptional academic performance at Cambridge, Annie, like other women, was unable to obtain a degree. Nevertheless, she secured a position as a “lady computer” at the Royal Observatory. It was there that she met Walter. Once married, Annie gave up her paid position, as married women were not permitted to hold jobs in the civil service. However, she continued her research by collaborating with Walter who still had access to the observatory’s data and photographs.
Annie especially strove to understand "the story of the Sun," participating in several excursions to observe total solar eclipses. These provided a unique opportunity to study the Sun’s corona and its connection to Earth. While the 1896 eclipse viewed from Norway was a bit of a disappointment, her visit to India in 1898 surpassed expectations. Taking part in an expedition organized by the British Astronomical Association, the Maunders faced several challenges. An outbreak of plague forced the group to find an alternative viewing location. Nevertheless, Annie managed used an adapted camera of her own design to capture several high-quality photographs of the corona. Her images revealed the presence of long, flowing rays extending from the Sun, which she hypothesized were streams of charged particles interacting with Earth. This insight laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of solar wind and its effects on our planet. Her work helped to demonstrate that the Sun was a dynamic and ever-changing entity, rather than the static, smooth disc that had been previously assumed.
Throughout her career, Annie continued to chase eclipses around the world, visiting locations such as Algeria, Mauritius, and Canada. Her photographs consistently outshone those taken by her husband and other professionals, showcasing her meticulous planning and execution. Yet, despite her significant contributions, Annie Maunder remained largely unrecognized during her lifetime. Much of her work was published under her husband’s name, or in amateur journals, and she was never granted the status of “professional” astronomer. Her story serves as a testament to the importance of so-called amateur contributions to science and to the long history of women in the field.
Links to Related Material
- Victorian Astronomy
- Women at the University of Cambridge
- Modes of Traveling in India
- Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), astronomer
Bibliography
"The Victorian Woman Who Chased Eclipses," Lost Women of Science, April 4, 2024.
Created 14 April 2024
Last modified 13 May 2024