Hidden Half of the Sky The Untold History of Women in Astronomy

Since the dawn of time, humanity has looked to the night sky with awe and wonder. Once revered as objects of worship, the stars and other celestial bodies gradually became subjects of scientific inquiry. Yet the story of astronomy has too often been told as though only men asked the great cosmic questions, leaving women’s contributions obscured and marginalized.

This book brings those forgotten stories to light. From Mesopotamian temples and Greek academies to Indian ashrams, Chinese courts, Islamic observatories, and modern universities, women shaped astronomy across cultures and centuries. Some, like Hypatia of Alexandria, became legends at great personal cost. Others, such as the Harvard Computers, worked quietly, their labor essential yet uncredited. Many survive only as faint traces—a hymn, a record, a line of calculations in a star catalogue and more.

These women were not mere footnotes but central to humanity’s shared tradition of discovery. Their story is one of resilience, perseverance, and knowledge carried forward despite exclusion. Part history and part call to action, this book reclaims women’s rightful place among the stars and reminds us that the universe—and its story—belongs to everyone.

Sohini Bagchi is a seasoned journalist and published author with over two decades of experience across print and digital media. She has worked with leading media organisations, including HT Media, The Times Group, IDG Media, and Trivone, and has contributed to several national and international journals and blogs.

She is the author of two acclaimed books: Road to Cherry Hills (2018), a globally appreciated work of fiction, and Techtonic Shift (2021), a nonfiction exploration of the evolution of computers and the Internet. Her writing reflects a deep engagement with history, science, and society.

An alumna of Jadavpur University, Sohini holds a master’s degree from the Manipal Institute of Communication, an Executive Leadership credential from IIM Calcutta, and a certification in space journalism from the University of Arizona, USA. A recipient of the National Human Rights Award (2003), she is trained in Karate and nurtures a lifelong passion for reading, blogging, and stargazing.