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Careers in astronomy for women (as in other sciences) were a rarity in Britain and Ireland until well into the twentieth century. The book investigates the place of women in astronomy before that era, recounted in the form of biographies of about 25 women born between 1650 and 1900 who in varying capacities contributed to its progress during the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are some famous names among them whose biographies have been written before now, there are others who have received less than their due recognition while many more occupied inconspicuous and sometimes thankless places as assistants to male family members. All deserve to be remembered as interesting individuals in an earlier opportunity-poor age. Placed in roughly chronological order, their lives constitute a sample thread in the story of female entry into the male world of science. The book is aimed at astronomers, amateur astronomers, historians of science, and promoters of women in science, but being written in non-technical language it is intended to be of interest also to educated readers generally.

Astronomy -- Great Britain -- History. --- Women in astronomy -- Great Britain -- Biography. --- Women in astronomy -- Great Britain -- History. --- Women in astronomy -- Ireland -- Biography. --- Women in astronomy -- Ireland -- History. --- Astronomy --- Women in astronomy --- Astronomy - General --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- History --- History. --- Physics. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- History of Science. --- Observations. --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical

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This book is an abbreviated, partly re-written version of "Under the Radar - The First Woman in Radio Astronomy: Ruby Payne-Scott." It addresses a general readership interested in historical and sociological aspects of astronomy and presents the biography of Ruby Payne-Scott (1912 – 1981). As the first female radio astronomer (and one of the first people in the world to consider radio astronomy), she made classic contributions to solar radio physics. She also played a major role in the design of the Australian government's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research radars, which were in turn of vital importance in the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II. These radars were used by military personnel from Australia, the United States and New Zealand. From a sociological perspective, her career offers many examples of the perils of being a female academic in the first half of the 20th century. Written in an engaging style and complemented by many historical photographs, this book offers fascinating insights into the beginnings of radio astronomy and the role of a pioneering woman in astronomy. To set the scene, the first colourfully illustrated chapter presents an overview of solar astrophysics and the tools of the radio astronomer. From the reviews of “Under the Radar”: “This is a beautifully-researched, copiously-illustrated and well-written book that tells us much more than the life of one amazing female radio astronomer. It also provides a profile on radar developments during WWII and on Australia’s pre-eminent place in solar radio astronomy in the years following WWII. Under the Radar is compelling reading, and if you have taken the time to read right through this review then it certainly belongs on your bookshelf!” (Wayne Orchiston, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, March, 2010).

Astronomy. --- Payne-Scott, Ruby. --- Radio astronomy -- Australia -- History. --- Women astronomers -- Australia -- Biography. --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astrophysics --- Astronomy - General --- Women astronomers --- Radio astronomy --- History. --- Radioastronomy --- Scott, Ruby Payne --- -Women astronomers --- Physics. --- Astrophysics. --- Cosmology. --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- History of Science. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Astronomy --- Interstellar communication --- Astronomers --- Women in astronomy --- Women physical scientists --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Astronomical physics --- Cosmic physics --- Physics