the theory of a steady-state universe, an alternative to the Big Bang theory. Her life and work has influenced
generations of astronomers and left an impressive legacy of discoveries. She achieved all this at a time when
women often found their path to a career in science barred.
Burbidge recently turned 100. This is a great opportunity for generations of scientists who have been
influenced by her, either personally or through her work, to celebrate the life of this truly stellar
astronomer.
A century in science
Eleanor Margaret Peachey was born on 12 August 1919, in Davenport, Greater Manchester, but spent her
early years in London. She first saw the starry sky at the age of four, on the boat to France with her mother.
Science ran in her family – both her parents were chemists and her father had a penchant for inventing.
James Jeans, another prolific astronomer, was also a distant relative. Although they never met, she received
his popular science books as gifts for Christmas. At 12, already fascinated by big numbers, she was heavily
immersed in reading them.
Burbidge offers a shining example of how one can achieve a breakthrough even in difficult times
During the Second World War, she studied astronomy at University College London. There, she met
Geoffrey Burbidge, whom she married. Together, they embarked on a lifelong adventure in science.
At that time she taught a practical class with the telescope and had a chance encounter with Arthur C
Clarke, who would later become the famous science fiction writer and futurist. Young Clarke was an
enthusiastic student who wanted to learn “everything to do with the planets and interplanetary travel”.
Apparently he was so keen observing the stars that he almost knocked another student off the roof one
night.
Burbidge always had a stern determination to overcome obstacles. Her observing logbook in 1944 shows
how she unflinchingly recentred the stars in the field of view of the telescope each time bombs exploding
nearby jolted her eyepiece.
She found the strength to overcome challenges through her love of astronomy. Seeing a spiral galaxy for the
first time on a photographic plate left her euphoric. She recalled: “I felt it was almost sinful to be enjoying
astronomy so much, now that it was my job and the source of my livelihood.”
Inspiring women in science
But the world was still an unkind place for gifted women scientists. Burbidge first encountered gender-
based discrimination when she applied for a fellowship at the Carnegie Observatories, in the US. A letter
from the director informed her curtly that such fellowships were restricted to men. Later, she was barred
from observing the sky at Mount Wilson Observatory in California.
Burbidge wasn’t deterred and, in her usual manner, whenever she met “with a blockage”, she “found a way
around it”. She gained access to Mount Wilson Observatory posing as Geoff’s assistant. She had to conceal
her pregnancy while climbing up the mountain even on hot, sweltering days, swaddled in a coat.