Happy 100th birthday to NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who was responsible for calculating the trajectory for NASA’s first space missions. Johnson was part of the “computing pool” at NASA (which was largely made up of women) that processed data and calculated orbital mechanics by hand. She was an integral part of the successful launches and returns of astronauts Alan Sheperd and John Glenn. Her life story was adapted into the hit film Hidden Figures. Just last year, the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility was opened in Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She was also awarded the National Medal of Freedom for her remarkable work and legacy.
Today, retired @NASA_Langley mathematician Katherine Johnson makes her 100th trip around the Sun as she celebrates her birthday! Send her birthday wishes using #Happy100Katherine & learn about her calculations that launched @NASA_Astronauts to space 🚀: https://t.co/Iv2DqAt1LK pic.twitter.com/DVvVYnrupe
— NASA (@NASA) August 26, 2018
(via CNN, image: YouTube)
- It’s #NationaDogDay, so here are the top pups in genre film and television. (via SyfyWire)
- Coco and One Day at a Time swept the Imagen Awards for positive portrayals of Latinx people in entertainment. (via Deadline)
- Neil Simon, the playwright behind Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple has passed away at 91. (via CNN)
- This is a lovely essay about how Steven Universe helps a writer cope with anxiety. (via io9)
Happy Sunday, Mary Suevians!
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