Harlow Shapley: Measurement of Galaxies of Vast Distances, 1945

Introduction: Harlow Shapley

"Theories crumble, but good observations never fade." - Harlow Shapley

Early in his life, Harlow Shapley resolved to educate himself. Years later, as the director of the Harvard College Observatory, Shapley made education of the public an integral part of the Observatory's mission.

How did Harlow Shapley become interested in the stars, and what was the work he did with Cepheid variable stars and globular clusters? What important discoveries did Shapley make about the Milky Way galaxy?

These pages hold the answers to these questions and tell the fascinating story of one man's discoveries.

Photo of the Franklin Medal awarded to Harlow Shapley, April 1945 (223k)