Born: 1670
Died: 1720
Biography:
Maria Margaretha Kirch (née Winckelmann, in historic sources named Maria Margaretha Kirchin; 25 February 1670 – 29 December 1720) was a German astronomer. She was one of the first famous astronomers of her period due to her writing on the conjunction of the sun with Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter in 1709 and 1712 respectively.
Maria was born on February 25, 1670, and was educated from an early age by her father, a Lutheran minister, who believed that she deserved an education equivalent to that given to young boys. Her father’s progressive mindset allowed Maria to study subjects that were traditionally reserved for boys. By the age of 13, she had lost both her father and mother, but her thirst for knowledge remained. During this time, Maria received a general education from her brother-in-law Justinus Toellner and the well-known self-taught astronomer Christoph Arnold, who resided in the town of Sommerfeld. Arnold was credited with being the first to discover a passing comet and became Maria’s unofficial mentor and later her assistant, living with him and his family.
Astronomy was not organized entirely along guild lines during this time period, and the path to becoming an astronomer varied from one person to another. Through Arnold, Maria had the opportunity to meet the famous German astronomer and mathematician Gottfried Kirch, who was 30 years her senior and had received training in astronomy by Johannes Hevelius and a formal education at the University of Jena. Maria and Gottfried Kirch got married in 1692 and went on to have four children, all of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps by studying astronomy. The union with Gottfried proved beneficial for Maria as she had the support to continue her education in astronomy and contribute to scientific discovery alongside her husband. Without their partnership, it is unlikely that Maria would have been able to participate in astronomy independently.
In 1700, Maria and Gottfried Kirch moved to Berlin when Frederick III, the Elector of Brandenburg, later known as Frederick I of Prussia, appointed Gottfried as the Astronomer Royal. This prestigious position was awarded to eminent astronomers and provided them with resources and support to carry out their research.
Maria Kirch’s career in astronomy flourished in Berlin. She made significant observations and published numerous works on celestial events. In 1709, she wrote about the conjunction of the sun with Saturn, providing valuable insights into the movement and interaction of celestial bodies. In 1712, she further enhanced her reputation by publishing her findings on the conjunction of the sun with Venus and Jupiter. These publications solidified Maria’s status as one of the foremost astronomers of her time and earned her widespread recognition within the scientific community.
Despite facing societal challenges and biases against women pursuing careers in astronomy, Maria Kirch’s dedication and passion for the subject enabled her to overcome these obstacles. She not only contributed to scientific knowledge but also proved that women were capable of making significant contributions to the field of astronomy.
Maria Margaretha Kirch’s influence went beyond her individual accomplishments. She inspired future generations of women to pursue scientific careers and challenged the prevailing norms that restricted women’s access to education and professional opportunities. Her perseverance and determination serve as an inspiration to women in history and continue to inspire women in the field of astronomy today.