Robert McNees
Astrophysicist Margherita Hack was born #OTD in 1922. Known for her contributions to stellar spectroscopy and radio astronomy, she was the first woman to serve as director of the Trieste observatory.
Hack was famous in Italy as a popularizer of science through books and TV.
Robert McNees
Margherita Hack was also a noted political activist who campaigned to legalize abortion and and supported LGBQT rights.
She once entertained a group of students at a sit-in with an impromptu lecture about the Higgs boson.
This is an important lesson for scientists: When you are out there fighting for justice and human rights, you can always seal the deal with science. Next time you go to a protest make sure you have an entertaining lecture in your pocket.
j_bertolotti
@mcnees Something that might be difficult for non-Italians to appreciate is that she had the heaviest Florence accent ever (I was born and raised in Florence, and I met very few people with an accent as thick as her).
This, combined with her enthusiasm and child-like smile, made her feel very approachable, even when she was talking about difficult scientific topics.
She is missed.
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