Margaret Burbidge, Lead Author of B2FH

What is the B2FH? . . . And How Did It Change Science Forever? In 1957, four scientists got together and wrote one of the most influential papers in scientific history. The paper described how elements are formed in stars. (Elements are nature's 'building blocks', like carbon, oxygen hydrogen, silicon, and gold. When elements combine, they form molecules, which, pretty much make up everything: water, rocks or human bodies.)The ideas in the paper have had a vast impact on science.The paper is such a big deal,that "Science Hipsters" don't even call it by it's original title. The actual title of the paper is "Synthesis of the Elements in Stars". But these days, the science "cool kids" call it simply, "B2FH".The paper became known by the initials of its authors: Margaret Burbidge, Geoffrey Burbidge, (H2) and William A. Fowler, and Fred Hoyle (FH, = B2FH) It was a woman, Margaret Burbidge, who pioneered the way toprove the ideas in the paper. She invented a brand new branch of science called "spectroscopy". This was using the "spectral lines" to know what stars are made of, and much, much more. She was the "Lead Author" of the paper. Later -- among many other "stellar" achievements -- Margaret Burbidge designed the special "Spectral" telescope carried inside the Hubble Space Telescope. This important part of the orbiting telescope continues to provide 'cutting edge' data today. Each of the four scientists contributed valuable parts to B2FH. But the credit for the 'out of the box' thinking that really got the ideas and collaboration going, belongs to Fred Hoyle. He was the 'H' in B2FH. Outside of the small world of astro-physicists, few people know his name. But was a brilliant, noisy and controversial thinker who made as many enemies as he had admirers. Long dead, his ideas are suddenly back in the news again... In 1957, four scientists got together and wrote one of the most influential papers in scientific history. The paper described how elements are formed in stars.(Elements are nature's 'building blocks',like carbon, oxygen hydrogen, silicon, and gold. When elements combine, they form molecules, which make up pretty much everything: water, rocks or plants and human bodies.)The ideas in the paper have had a vast impact on science.The paper is such a big deal, that "Science Hipsters" don't even call it by it's original title. The actual title of the paper is "Synthesis of the Elements in Stars". But these days, the science "cool kids" call it simply, "B2FH".The paper became known by the initials of its authors: Margaret Burbidge, Geoffrey Burbidge, (H2) and William A. Fowler, and Fred Hoyle (FH, = B2FH) It was a woman, Margaret Burbidge, who pioneered the way to prove the ideas in the paper. She invented a brand new branch of science called "spectroscopy". This is using the "spectral lines" to know what stars are made of, and much, much more. She was the "Lead Author" of the paper. Later, among many other "stellar" achievements, Margaret Burbidge designed the special "Spectral" telescope carried inside the Hubble Space Telescope. This important part of the orbiting telescope continues to provide 'cutting edge' data today. Each of the four scientists contributed valuable parts to B2FH. But the credit for the 'out of the box' thinking that really got the ideas and collaboration going, belongs to Fred Hoyle. He was the 'H' in B2FH. Outside of the small world of astro-physicists, few people know his name. But he was a brilliant, noisy and controversial thinker who made as many enemies as he had admirers. Long dead, his ideas are suddenly back in the news again... Hipsters Cool Cats "Synthesis of Elements in Stars" H2FH Stellar Extra special Hubble Space Telescope 1957 Year H2FH was written Elements Formed in stars Fred Hoyle Brilliant, controversial Margaret Burbidge Pioneer of Spectroscopy Building blocks of molecules Elements Molecules They make up most things What do science 'cool cats' call the paper "Synthesis of Elements in Stars"? Hubble B2FH Stellar Molecule formation Draw, or insert a picture of a star (like, our Sun) and a old style telescope. Also, the Hubble Space TelescopeExtra Credit.... a photo of Margaret Burbidge