Vera Rubin

Vera Rubin was an influential astronomer whose pioneering work on galaxy rotation curves provided strong evidence for dark matter. By studying how stars orbit the centers of galaxies, she discovered that they move at unexpectedly high speeds, suggesting there is much more mass present than can be seen. This finding challenged traditional understandings of gravity and led to significant advances in galactic and cosmological studies. Rubin's research transformed our understanding of the universe, highlighting the existence of unseen matter that influences galaxy formation and behavior, fundamentally shaping modern astrophysics and our conception of the cosmos.