User:Hawddb/Maria Margaretha Kirch

Maria Margaretha Kirch (née Winckelmann, in historic sources named Maria Margaretha Kirchin; 25 February 1670 – 29 December 1720) was a German astronomer. She was one of the first famous female astronomers of her period due to her writing on the conjunction of the sun with Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter in 1709 and 1712 respectively, along with being the first woman to discover a comet.

The French Academie Royal des Sciences, Berlin Akademie der Wissenschaften and the Rotal Societyof London were all notable scientific instuitions that were founded in the 17th c. These academia's catered to an exclusively male audience.

The exclusion of women to university's in the 17th century was not due to lack of qualified women. Separation of man and woman in education and in the workplace can instead be contributed to societal norms and beliefs from that particular time period.

Maria received training in the science of astronomy via self-taught Christoph Arnold, a gentleman living in the nearby town of Sommerfeld.

Emphasis on women's involvement in the household was enforced during this time period. This is a noted change from the pre 1600's, when women were more commonly involved in institutes. (I forgot to cite this but will come back to it.)

Women apprenticeships during Maria's lifespan differed from men's in that women were not given access to journeymen years. Women were dependent upon those in their household for training.

Gottfried Kirch, Maria's husband, had been trained by Johannes Hevelius.

Maria's early training was performed under a local farmer that had discovered a comet 8 days prior to Johannes Hevelius reporting it.

Her attempt to take over her husband's craft was not out of place as it was standard for widow's to take over their dead husband's work.