Things We Saw Today: Happy 100th Birthday to NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson!

Happy 100th birthday to NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who was responsible for calculating the trajectory for NASA’s first space missions. Johnson was part of the “computing pool” at NASA (which was largely made up of women) that processed data and calculated orbital mechanics by hand. She was an integral part of the successful launches and returns of astronauts Alan Sheperd and John Glenn. Her life story was adapted into the hit film Hidden Figures. Just last year, the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility was opened in Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She was also awarded the National Medal of Freedom for her remarkable work and legacy.

(via CNN, image: YouTube)

• It’s #NationaDogDay, so here are the top pups in genre film and television. (via SyfyWire)
• Coco and One Day at a Time swept the Imagen Awards for positive portrayals of Latinx people in entertainment. (via Deadline)
• Neil Simon, the playwright behind Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple has passed away at 91. (via CNN)
• This is a lovely essay about how Steven Universe helps a writer cope with anxiety. (via io9)

Happy Sunday, Mary Suevians!

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

twitter