Every year, Woman Astronomers Day is celebrated on August 1 to celebrate and honour the achievements of women in science and astronomy. The day highlights the contributions that female astronomers have made significant strides over the years by practiced astronomy. This day acknowledges the achievements of female astronomers, promotes gender equality in the sciences, and inspires young women to pursue careers in astronomy and related fields. The day also honours American astronomer Maria Mitchell's birth anniversary. It is a perfect day to honour the pioneers including Caroline Herschel,  and Henrietta Swan Leavitt, whose work laid the foundations for modern astronomy. In this article, let’s know more about Woman Astronomers Day 2024 date and the significance of the annual event in the US.

Woman Astronomers Day 2024 Date

Woman Astronomers Day 2024 is celebrated on August 1. The date is associated with Maria Mitchell's birth anniversary, the first American female astronomer who was born on August 1, 1818. She was also the first female American astronomer to discover a comet in 1847, named '1847 VI' that was later known as 'Miss Mitchell's Comet' in her honour. Astronomers Discover Milky Way’s Heaviest Stellar Black Hole, 33 Times the Mass of the Sun. 

Woman Astronomers Day Significance

Woman Astronomers Day is a special occasion to recognise and celebrate the contributions of women in the field of astronomy. The day serves as an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges women have faced and continue to face in the field of astronomy. The annual event calls for promoting initiatives and policies that support gender equality in scientific research and provides young women the opportunity to shine by encouraging them to pursue careers in astronomy and STEM fields.

Woman Astronomers Day is celebrated by hosting several events and activities like talk shows and seminars featuring female astronomers discussing their work and experiences. On this day, organisations and institutions conduct workshops for students to learn about astronomy and the contributions of women in the field.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2024 11:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).