Last Updated: 27 Mar, 2024 | Views: 303
Age: 77
Profession: Astronaut
Other Profession(s): Astronomer
Famous For: First Peruvian Female Astronomer
Higher Education: National University of La Plata
About (Profile/Biography):
María Luisa Aguilar Hurtado was born on 20 June 1938 and died on 29 October 2015. She was the first professional astronomer of Peru. In Lima, she attended the Elvira Garca y Garca Mayor School Unit for her primary and secondary education. She enrolled at the National University of San Marcos' School of Mathematics in 1958.
María Luisa Aguilar Career:
María Luisa Aguilar Study of Astronomy in Argentina:
• The Peruvian government did not have a formal astronomy program at that time. As an astronomer, she was a specialist in stellar atmospheres, spectroscopy, and variable stars.
María Luisa Aguilar "Astronomical Fridays":
• As soon as Aguilar returned to Peru in 1969, she began teaching at the National University of Engineering and the National University of San Marcos.
María Luisa Aguilar International Astronomical Union (IAU) Membership:
• During her tenure with NASA, she was a member of commission 46 Astronomy Education and Development and commission C1 WG Network for Astronomy School Education.
María Luisa Aguilar Promotion of the IAU Visiting Lecturer Program:
• María Luisa Aguilar’d efforts also led to the establishment of the first International Astronomical Union Visiting Lecturer Program in Peru, which she promoted and managed.
María Luisa Aguilar Contribution to Astronomy Education:
• Among the astronomers who visited Peru under Aguilar were José Luis Sérsic, Josip Kleczek, and Jorge Sahade.
• Their expertise and presence in the country contributed to the advancement of astronomy education.
María Luisa Aguilar Science Outreach:
• The Peruvian newspaper "El Comercio" published Aguilar's articles on science and astronomy topics each Sunday between 1999 and 2000.
María Luisa Aguilar International Year of Astronomy 2009:
• The International Astronomical Union and Peru have designated Aguilar as the "Single Point of Contact" for the International Year of Astronomy.
María Luisa Aguilar San Marcos Astronomical Observatory:
• As the driving force behind the San Marcos Astronomical Observatory for Education and Tourism in Marangan, Cusco, Aguilar was a key figure in the project's development.
• The observatory carried forward her vision and contributions to astronomy education in Peru after her passing in 2016.
María Luisa Aguilar Honour:
• Past Member of Division C Education, Outreach and Heritage, IAU
• 2015: Past Member of Commission C1 Astronomy Education and Development, IAU
• Until 2015: Past Member of Commission 46 Astronomy Education & Development, IAU
• 2015: Past Member of Commission C1 WG Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE), IAU
• Until 2012: Past Member of Division XII Union-Wide Activities, IAU
• 2010: Medal of Honor "José Antonio Encinas", awarded by the Magisterial Derrama
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