On August 1, 1818, Maria Mitchell was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Initially learning astronomy from her father, Maria on October 1, 1847 would discover Comet 1847 VI. This would later become known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet." After publishing her discovery, she was given an award in 1848 by King Christian VIII of Denmark, who honored individuals for finding new telescopic comets. Maria Mitchell became the first person from the United States to receive this medal and the first woman to recei

Maria Mitchell (pronounced like Mariah) was America's first female astronomer and the first person ever to discover a comet through telescopic observation. Find more on female genius at the 92nd Street Y's 7 Days of Genius Festival. #thatsgenius | Big Think