Frida Palmér

Frida Palmér (February 14, 1905 - October 13, 1966) was the first female Swedish astronomer with a doctorate. She studied variable stars.

Early life

Palmér was born on February 14, 1905, in Blentarp, Sweden, the only child to builder Hans Persson Palmér and his wife Elsa Jeppsson. Her father died when she was five years old and in 1910 Elsa moved to Järrestad. It is unclear how she finished her early education but she must have been somewhat self-taught as access to high school was not formally established for girls until 1928.

She defended her thesis in 1939 at Lund University on a thesis on irregular variable stars with Knut Lundmark as supervisor. She is the first Swedish female doctor in astronomy.

Career She listed over 259 stars with irregular periodicity variability, examined their galactic distribution, arranged by spectral type. Most spectra lacked the lines typical of the Mira variable stars. She discovered that the light curves of some stars could be interpreted as interference between two or more simultaneous, periodic events in the stars.

The Supreme Chief, Commander Torgil Thorén, however, stated in 1943 that she always "attended to prompt perception, energy and a clear sense of order" and that "she always included the work with interest and diligence and observed impeccable and honest conduct".