Historic time period: 1801–1861
Exploring the Sky
Maria (Mar-AYE-ah) Mitchell was America’s first woman professional astronomer. She was the first American woman to discover a new comet, and won a gold medal from the king of Denmark as an award for her discovery. After Maria became famous she continued to work as an astronomer, and also taught astronomy to younger women at Vassar College. She used a telescope that is now part of the collection of the National Museum of American History. Maria not only helped her students at Vassar College, but brought attention to other American scientists, schools for girls, and the women’s rights movement.
Maria's Comet is a historical fiction book written by Deborah Hopkinson. The story imagines how Maria's curiosity about the stars developed while she was a young girl and the role her family played in her interest in astronomy. You can learn more about Maria Mitchell and explore the sky for yourself using the fun and easy-to-follow reading guide and related activities on this page.
Read This Book
You can learn more about astronomy in these books. Click on the book titles below for more information, or visit our complete bibliography.
More Recommended Books
- Maria Mitchell: A Life in Journals and Letters by Henry Albers
- There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin
- Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton
Featured Book
Maria's Comet
by Deborah Hopkinson
Maria's Comet. Material from Maria's Comet by Deborah Hopkinson. copyright c 2003 by Deborah Hopkinson. Used by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Recommended Book
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Read Maria's Comet
Meet Maria, who longs to study the stars through a telescope with her father. Try some easy and fun reading strategies to bring Maria's story to life.
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Activities
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See the Stars
Take a Trip
Explore the night sky for yourself with a trip outside, to the local planetarium, or a nearby telescope.
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From the Internet to Outer Space
Use Technology
Take the 1800's astronomer's challenge! Examine pictures of the outer space and try to describe them using words and your own drawings.
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Constellation Maker
Play and Create
Imagine a constellation celebrating a famous American woman, like Maria Mitchell. Then make it with needle and thread or paper.
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Telescopes and Observatories
Learn from Objects
Take a close look at two telescopes at the Museum and the U.S. Naval Observatory.
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