Maria Wähnl
Maria Emma Wähnl | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Vienna, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | December 28, 1989 (aged 81) Vienna, Austria |
| Occupation(s) | Astronomer, aerodynamicist |
| Years active | 1938–1969 |
| Known for | Directing Urania Public Observatory, launching Astronomisches Jahrbuch |
Maria Emma Wähnl (born 9 December 1908 – died 28 December 1989) was a distinguished Austrian astronomer.
Biography
Born in Vienna, then part of Austria-Hungary, on 9 December 1908, Wähnl hailed from a family originally rooted in the Fichtel Mountains region of Germany. She pursued her studies in astronomy at the University of Vienna, where she earned her doctoral degree in 1938. Following her academic achievements, Wähnl completed a demanding training program and subsequently joined the Junkers aircraft factory in Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt. There, she contributed to the aerodynamics division during the entirety of World War II and was affiliated with the National Socialist Women's League. After the collapse of the Nazi regime in 1945, she found herself without employment and took on tutoring private students.
In 1949, Wähnl secured a position as a computer assistant at the University of Vienna's Observatory; however, due to her being over forty years old, her appointment was limited to half-time. By 1952, when the Vienna University Observatory provided the Urania Public Observatory with a 135mm refracting telescope, she was appointed its director. In this role, she organized astronomy courses catering to both novices and advanced learners and coordinated various scientific lecture series. Additionally, in 1958, she spearheaded the launch of the Astronomisches Jahrbuch (Astronomical Yearbook), which was published until 1962.
Wähnl concluded her professional career with retirement in 1969. She passed away in Vienna on 28 December 1989.