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Wilhelmina Iwanowska

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Wilhemina Iwanowska (September 2, 1905 - May 16, 1999) was born in Wilno. Iwanowska was an astronomer and the first astrophysics professor in Poland.[1] Iwanowska was pioneer of astrophysics in Polish science[2].

Work & Education

Wilhemina Iwanowska began her studies in Wilno at the University of Stefan Batory(USB) in mathematics.[3] Iwanowska also began working at the University in 1927. At the University, Iwanowska studied under Juliusz Rudnicki and earned her Master's degree in analytic functions in 1929.[3][1] Then, in 1933, she received her D.Sc (Doctor of Science) in astronomy. By 1937, Iwanowska received her Docent degree in astronomy.[4]

Iwanowska's astronomical career during her studies at the University. In 1926, Iwanowska was approached by Władysław Dziewulski, a professor at the University. Dziewulski offered Iwanowska a job at the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University. Thus, by 1927, Iwanowska's profession as an astronomer began, a time period which included the rise of astrophysics in Polish science and its early accomplishments.[1]

From 1934 to 1935, Dr. Iwanowska focused on astronomical spectroscopy during her internship at the Stockholm Observatory. In 1937 at USB, she presented her post-doctoral dissertation where "she characterized stellar supergiants based on the analysis of their spectral features."[2]

From 1945 to 1999, Iwanowska worked at the University in Toruń. Specifically, on July 14, 1945, Dr. Iwanowska and about 200 other staff members from USB were transferred to Toruń. Iwanowska and the other scientists were successful in establishing a university in Toruń. On August 26, 1945, the Nicolaus Copernicus University was founded which included two departments, astronomy and astrophysics. She was one of the founders the Nicolaus Copernicus University and the Toruń School of Astronomy and Radioastronomy and helped develop many of their programs.[5][6] In 1946, Wilhemina Iwanowska became the first astrophysics professor in Poland.[2]

Honors

From 1973 to 1979, Iwanowska was the vice president of the International Astronomical Union

Iwanowska was also a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Iwanowska became the first Director of the Institute of Astronomy of the Copernicus University in Toruń.[7]

Iwanowska received honorary doctorates at three universities. In 1995, she was awarded the Great Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.[8] In 1997, she became an honorary citizen of Winnipeg and Toruń.[9] The Pope gave her the medal "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice".[10]

Notable Work & Research

In the course of her research, Iwanowska discovered the scale of distance in the universe, which is considered her greatest achievement.[2]

In 1937, she presented her habilitation thesis in which "she characterized stellar supergiants based on the analysis of their spectral features."[2]

Prof. Iwanowska's scientific bibliography included approximately 150 works.[2]

Death

Wilhemina Iwanowska died on May 16, 1999. She was buried in Toruń beside her mother, sister, and niece.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Wilhelmina Iwanowska (1905-1999) | Urania - Postępy Astronomii". www.urania.edu.pl. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Prof. dr hab. Wilhelmina Iwanowska - astrofizyczka". lubietubyc.pomorska.pl (in Polish). 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  3. ^ a b L., Beery, Janet (2017). Women in Mathematics Celebrating the Centennial of the Mathematical Association of America. Springer International Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-3-319-66694-5. OCLC 1194470279.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Anonymous (2011-06-23). "Honorary Member: Dr. W. Iwanowska". RASC. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  5. ^ "Observation projects - Centre for Astronomy - Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń". www.ca.umk.pl. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  6. ^ "Astronomical Observatory in Piwnice | Visit Toruń". visittorun.com. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  7. ^ "Obituary/Nécrologie- Lucian Kemble, Wilhelmina Iwanowska". Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Vol. 93: 152. June 1999. {{cite journal}}: |volume= has extra text (help)
  8. ^ "Odznaczeni Krzyżem Wielkim Orderu Odrodzenia Polski (III Rzeczpospolita)", Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (in Polish), 2019-02-13, retrieved 2019-04-02
  9. ^ "Profesor Wilhelmina Iwanowska (1905-1999) - Wydział Fizyki, Astronomii i Informatyki Stosowanej - Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu". www.fizyka.umk.pl. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  10. ^ "Wilhelmina Iwanowska (1905-1999) | Urania - Postępy Astronomii". www.urania.edu.pl. Retrieved 2019-04-02.



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