Not satisfied with just reading about this month’s special topic? Follow along with me through three selections.
You may have heard the term “dark matter,” but did you know that it is not actually “dark”? Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein takes us through some basics of particle physics and theoretical cosmology in The Disordered Cosmos, a work that weaves together the scientific, personal, and political in a sweeping commentary on the challenges we face in our small corner of the universe.
Next up, read The Stargazer’s Sister for a story based on the life of astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), and see the role she played in her brother William’s work, as well as how she emerged as a scientist in her own right.
Finally, learn about the NASA “computers” (people, not machines!) who performed the calculations and checks needed to get John Glenn into orbit in the movie Hidden Figures.
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NON-FICTION
Prescod-Weinstein, Chanda. The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred. Bold Type Books, 2021.
FICTION
Brown, Carrie. The Stargazer’s Sister.* Anchor, 2016.
FILM
Hidden Figures.* Directed by Theodore Melfi, Twentieth Century Fox, 2016.
Discussion Questions
- Dr. Prescod-Weinstein discusses Caroline Herschel’s legacy in Phase 2 of The Disordered Cosmos. What factors complicate the author’s defense of Herschel, and how does the discussion of this historical figure relate to the author’s discussion of collaborations with white women? Furthermore, how does this discussion add to your interpretation of the scenes between Hidden Figures characters Dorothy Vaughan and Vivian Mitchell?
- Dr. Prescod-Weinstein notes that Herschel may not have identified herself as an astronomer, but as an “assistant,” as she was called in one history exhibit. What stance does the novel The Stargazer’s Sister take on this question? Can you point to any specific scenes? Finally, where do you stand on the question of referring to Caroline as an astronomer?
- The scene in which Katherine is confronted for leaving the office multiple times a day is one of the most emotionally charged in Hidden Figures. How does this scene embody the systemic challenges of the three main characters in the movie?
- Reflect on the different trajectories of Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary in Hidden Figures. What challenges does each face, and what techniques does each use to continue moving forward against the systemic challenges of the time? How do those challenges relate to those narrated in The Disordered Cosmos?
- There are several passages in The Disordered Cosmos that provide a critique of white empiricism and colonialism in science. Which examples stood out to you, and what kinds of solutions does the author present in the final chapter of the work? Did you find further examples of the problems the author critiques while you watched the movie Hidden Figures, particularly when it comes to the “space race”?
- The Disordered Cosmos discusses the privilege that was necessary for the author to be able to see the night sky in enough darkness in order to get to know it as a child. How and why does the experience of the night sky become a touchpoint for the author in regards to other issues of oppression, marginalization, and disregard for indigenous cultures?
- What do you think of the way in which The Disordered Cosmos weaves together concepts from physics and critical race theory? For example, what does it mean for the author to call Chapter Six “Black People are Luminous Matter” in the context of the phrase “dark matter”?
- How has science become politicized in the current moment, and what kinds of ideas or solutions does Dr. Prescod-Weinstein present? What ideas do you have, given the challenges our planet is facing?
