“I believe that, ideally, science should be looked upon as something that helps us understand our role in the universe.” ~Dr. Vera Rubin
Dr. Vera Rubin was a groundbreaking astronomer who shattered gender barriers throughout her career. She analyzed over 200 galaxies, pioneered the study of galaxy rotation rates, and found evidence to confirm the existence of dark matter. She cared more about finding answers to her questions about the universe than others' opinions, and never let negative perceptions discourage her.
Dr. Rubin developed an interest in astronomy early on. As a child, she fell in love with space by watching the stars from her bedroom window. She was curious about the night sky, so her dad helped her make a rudimentary telescope to observe, study, and track meteors and stars. When she graduated from high school, she attended college at Vassar. She chose Vassar because it was the school where Maria Mitchell, a female astronomer who had greatly inspired Dr. Rubin, taught classes. Ignoring most teachers who told her she would never succeed in science, she chose to study astronomy. She was the only student in her year at the all-female college to major in astronomy.
After graduating from Vassar, Dr. Rubin tried to apply to the astronomy program at Princeton University but was denied due to her gender. She was accepted to Master's programs at Harvard and Cornell, but chose to attend the latter. At Cornell, Dr. Rubin collaborated with astronomer Martha Carpenter to study galactic dynamics and the motion of galaxies. This collaboration led Dr. Rubin to make one of the first observations of deviations from Hubble flow, which is how galaxies move apart from each other. Her data also provided evidence of the supergalactic plane. Her initial ideas were disproven, but the idea that galaxies were moving sparked curiosity and further research.
Dr. Rubin's research data was controversial at the time, and she was advised not to present it publicly. She went against this advice and shared her data at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society. While presenting, she faced negative perceptions because her research was so controversial, and she had recently given birth. She received universally negative feedback and did not end up publishing her paper. Despite this, she still received her master's the following year and moved to Washington, D.C., where she completed a doctorate program at Georgetown University. Her dissertation concluded that galaxies clumped together, instead of being randomly distributed through the universe. This was another controversial idea that wouldn't be explored for two decades.
After receiving her PhD, Dr. Rubin was hired by Georgetown University to teach and conduct research. She worked at the school for a decade, making a real impact on future astronomers. Towards the end of her time at the school, Dr. Rubin was invited to conduct observations from the Palomar Observatory in San Diego, California. This was an incredible opportunity because, at the time, women were typically not allowed to use 200-inch telescopes. She eagerly accepted the invitation, but when she arrived at the observatory, she learned it wasn't a female-friendly environment. She was told there was no women's restroom in the building, so she cut a skirt out of paper and taped it to the men's restroom door. The next time she returned, there was a gender-neutral restroom.
In 1965, Dr. Rubin was hired as the first female scientist at Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in Washington, D.C. There, she met her longtime research partner, Kent Ford. The two worked together to complete further research on her thesis regarding galaxy clusters. They made hundreds of observations using Ford's powerful spectrograph, which allowed them to see astronomical objects that were originally too dim for spectral analysis. A decade of observations led to the discovery and publication of the Rubin-Ford effect, published in 1976. This was an apparent anisotropy (structural non-uniformity) in the expansion of the universe as revealed by a study of motions in a sample of spiral galaxies.
Dr. Rubin also studied galactic motion, which led her to the discovery of dark matter. She studied the rotational curves of spiral galaxies by looking at their outermost material. Her research showed that spiral galaxies rotate so fast that they should fly apart if the only thing keeping them together is the gravity of their stars. Because of this, Dr. Rubin concluded that an unseen mass must be holding them together. This became known as the galaxy rotation problem. Her research showed that there must be five to 10 more types of matter than can be directly observed. This was eventually confirmed, and she was credited with finding the first evidence of dark matter.
Dr. Rubin had a trailblazing career. She ignored negative perceptions and shattered the belief that you couldn't be a present mother and a successful scientist. She was the second female astronomer elected to the National Academy of Science, won the National Medal of Science, and was the second woman to receive the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in London. The large synoptic telescope in Chile is named the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, and the location focuses on studying dark matter. There is a satellite, an asteroid, a galaxy, and an area on Mars named after her. It is also widely believed that Dr. Rubin was snubbed of a Nobel Prize for her groundbreaking dark matter discoveries.
The design for the Dr. Vera Rubin Quarter was discussed at the October 24, 2023, Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) meeting. Dr. Rubin's sons, David, Karl, and Allen Rubin, were in attendance to share their thoughts on the design. They appreciated the joy depicted in her portrait. Her work made her so happy, they were glad to see that represented on the coin.
The committee liked that the design depicted Dr. Rubin looking up towards space. It makes it look like she is studying the cosmos, making observations and discoveries, like she is actively "doing science." They felt that this coin was dynamic and exciting, inspiring a sense of wonder. Dr. Rubin is seen smiling while looking up at the spiral galaxies she spent her whole life studying, and the words "Dark Matter" next to her name highlight her groundbreaking discovery.