Margaret Burbidge
Margaret Burbidge (August 12, 1919 - April 5, 2020) was a British-American astronomer and astrophysicist known for her fundamental role in developing the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis, which explains how chemical elements are formed within stars. She coauthored the landmark B²FH paper (Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler, and Hoyle) published in 1957, which outlined how fusion processes inside stars produce heavier elements from hydrogen. Her work revolutionized the understanding of stellar evolution and the chemical composition of the universe, becoming a cornerstone of modern astrophysics.
Quotes
- I believe we have the capacity to foresee and forestall. Scientists of all nations are in a position (...) to improve the lives of all humans.