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Harlow Shapley (2 November 1885 - 20 October 1972) is an astronomer of the 20th century. He is well-known for his groundwork research on the positioning of the sun within our Milky Way galaxy. He discovered the various dimensions within our galaxy and the location of its core and center.

It was his research and focus on globular clusters that surrounded space that led him to this monumental finding. He concentrated on the distributions of these star clusters and their the high asymmetry. These clusters included in them many cepheid variables in which he was able measure distances. From this he located a point in the the constellation of Sagittarius that he defined as the centre of our galaxy, which was proven to be true.

led many great contributions on the astronomical community in the 20th century.

Liquid Water Belt Theory (Habitable Zone)
Dr. Harlow Shapley, supposed the Liquid Water Belt theory, currently known as the habitable zone which designates habitable conditions to support earth life in areas around the stars.The habitable zone defines the areas with the ability to sustain earth life. These Kepler systems are planets of near mass to the earth that scientists believe may potentially become habitable by earthly beings. It is in search of liquid water environments similar to that of earth that specify Kepler systems.

Career
From the 1816-1917, Shapley used a telescope to analyze the galaxy taking many photos. He examined these photos and came to the conclusion that our solar system was not the center of the galaxy.

In 1920, Dr. Harlow Shapley participated in the Great Debate at the National Academy of Sciences. It was in this debate that Shapley discussed and revealed the reality of the Milky Way. The topic of the debate was whether the Milky Way Galaxy was our universe in its entirety or that there existed many galaxies like the milky way in a much larger universe than ever known before.

After receiving his doctorate, Dr. Shapley came aboard the Mount Wilson Observatory located in California and continued his research there from 1914-1921. In 1920, he was offered the position of director at the Harvard College Observatory where he remained until his retirement in 1952. He however, still continued as a research professor until 1956.

Education
Shapley was enrolled at the University of Missouri and after three years received a B.A in both math and physics. He went on to also attain his masters.

Life and Family
Harlow Shapley was born in a farmhouse in Nashville Missouri on November 2, 1885. Born to Willow Shapley and Sarah Stowell, he and his twin brother Horace, had a younger brother john who became an art historian.

He married Martha Betz Shapley and with her had five children all of whom continue to be actuve contributors to the community of science.