Maria Zhilova | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 January 1871 |
| Died | 16 May 1934 |
| Occupation | |
| Academic career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | |
Maria Vasilyevna Zhilova (Russian: Мария Васильевна Жилова; 1870–1934) was the first female professional astronomer in theRussian Empire. She worked as astronomer and orbit calculator at thePulkovo Observatory from 1895 to 1930.[1][2]
Zhilova was born inRybinsk, Russia.[3]
In 1905 she was given an award by theRussian Astronomical Society for her work incelestial mechanics.[1]
The asteroid1255 Schilowa was named after her in 1932, at first spelled "Shilowa" (Russian: Ж и л о в а).[1][4] The craterZhilova onVenus was named after her in 1985.[5]
She was one of the women discussed in a 2017 conference on "Women's Faces of Russian Science", where she was noted as "one of the first professional woman astronomers".[6]
She died inSaint Petersburg in 1934.[3]