It has been less than a month since President Donald Trump declared war on diversity and inclusion at federal agencies. NASA was ordered earlier this month to push their places from “anything specifically targeting women (women in leadership, etc.)” and now a major telescopic project drafted his biography of astronomer Vera Rubin to remove information about increasing the number of women in scientific careers.
The Rubin Observatory, a federally funded telescope on a summit in Chile, recently changed the astronomer’s online biography, which it appoints, omitting information related to women breaking barriers in the field, Propublicy first Reported.
Vera Rubin’s work helped prove the existence of dark matter in the cosmos, changing the way scientists study the universe in the 1970s. She has published more than 100 scientific articles and has done innovative research on spiral galaxies and galaxy rotation. Beyond that, she pleaded for women in science after having to overcome several obstacles throughout her career due to astronomy being a male -dominated field.
For her contributions to science, Rubin has a ridge on Mars named after her, as well as an asteroid, satellite, galaxy and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory of the National Science Foundation. The National Observatory is the first named after a woman, and was – Irone – signed by Trump during his first term. Shortly after Trump was inaugurated a second time, however, Rubin’s biography was diminished to offer a watering version of her struggles as a woman in the field.
In the original version, a long section titled “She recommended women in science” spoke about Rubin’s efforts to break barriers into a male -dominated field. The entire section was initially removed, but then reappeared with some major adjustments, according to Propublica.
“Science is still a male -dominated field, but Rubin Observatory works to increase participation of women and other people who have historically been excluded from science,” the observatory Website previously read. “Rubin Observatory welcomes everyone who wants to contribute to science, and take steps to lower or remove barriers that exclude those with less privilege.”
This paragraph, however, was removed in late January, in addition to slightly. Instead, “Vera himself offers a great example of what can happen when more minds participate in science,” the Website Now reads, “True Rubin offers a great example of what can happen when many minds participate in science.”
Reviews reveal what is and are not allowed to the new orders, and how to recognize discrimination or the need for diversity is now strictly prohibited. NASA follows similar orders; The Space Agency sent self in late January Ordering employees to remove certain terms From its public websites, including underrepresented groups, women in leadership, environmental justice and accessibility.
Several groups of the astronomical community are currently working to keep an Archive of the content removed from federal sites, in addition to content that risks being removed, according to Space.com. “The idea that they can somehow eliminate these sources, died wrong – scientists in general and astronomers especially will not take these threats lying down,” astronomer John Barentine told Space.com. “But we have a long way forward and I hope there will be times when that path will be very difficult to walk.”
Once established, Rubin used his position to open doors for women in science and become a mentor for the next generation. While addressing Berkeley’s graduate class of 1996, Rubin said“I hope you fight against injustice and discrimination in all its aspects. I hope you value diversity among your friends, among your colleagues … among the student bodily population. I hope when you commission you will do more well than my generation.
